Australia stands as a highly desirable choice for skilled migrants in search of new opportunities. The Australia Skilled Worker Visa, commonly called Skill-Select, is custom-tailored for individuals or families with aspirations to establish permanent residency in Australia and pursue professional prospects in industries facing a scarcity of labour.
The Australia Skilled Worker Visa initiative is thoughtfully crafted to entice individuals eager to make substantial economic contributions to Australia by filling positions with a deficit of local workers. Skilled migrants are pivotal in strengthening the labour force, stimulating economic expansion, and generating additional employment opportunities.
Australia Skilled Worker Visa Details
During 2012–2013, the General Skilled Migration program took precedence over all other Australian skilled worker visa options. To be considered eligible, applicants were required to accumulate a minimum of 65 points in accordance with the General Skilled Migration (Skill-Select) points tables.
The Skill-Select program is specifically designed for individuals who wish to apply for a skilled migration visa, allowing them to reside and work in Australia. Within the Skillset program, skilled worker candidates can obtain a permanent Australian visa by utilizing their qualifications, work experience, and language proficiency to meet the immigration requirements. This system operates like an online job board, facilitating the connection between employers and potential employees.
Australia Skilled Worker Visa | Requirements
To qualify for the Australian Skilled Worker Visa, applicants will be required to meet certain requirements, such as:
- Nominated occupation: When you apply, you nominate a skilled occupation that fits your skills and qualifications. Your nominated occupation must be found on one of the Skilled Occupation Lists.
- Skills assessment: before you apply, you must have your skills assessed by the Australian assessing authority designated to assess your nominated occupation. You must have received a positive result.
- Health assessment: you must undergo a medical assessment to show you are in reasonably good health. This must be conducted by a doctor registered with the Australian Embassy.
- Character assessment: Must be of good character; usually, this means a criminal record check.
- Previous visa: The applicant must not have had a visa cancelled, or a previous application refused while in Australia.
- Expression of Interest (EOI): An EOI must have been lodged.
- Points: You must have received the required points for the relevant visa.
Please note that points are awarded in the following categories:
- Age
- English language ability
- Previous Australian and Overseas skilled work experience
- International qualifications
- Australian study requirements and awards
- Credentialed community language qualifications
- Regional Australian Study
- Spouse Skill qualifications
- Professional year in Australia
Skilled Occupation Lists
The skilled occupation list is a list comprising all the eligible skills or occupations that are eligible for visa applications to Australia. The Skilled Occupation List (SOL) summarizes the occupations needed in Australia to fill skill shortages.
Such skills include Accountant (General), Agricultural Consultant, Advertising Specialist, Actuary, Agricultural Engineer, Ambulance Officer, Aircraft Maintenance, Biochemist, Baker, Audiologist, Automotive Electrician, Biotechnologist, Bricklayer, Cardiologist, Chemist, Education Adviser, Economist, etc. You can access the full skilled occupation list Here.
Applicants who are qualified to work in an eligible skilled occupation in Australia and can meet all the other requirements can apply for any of the under-listed visas in Australia:
- Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) – 186 (DE)
- Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189) – 189 (PT)
- Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190)
- Training Visa (subclass 407)
- Temporary Work Visa (subclass 457): 457
- Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) – 485 (GW)
- Skilled Work Regional Visa Family Nominated (subclass 491): 491 (F)
- Skilled Work Regional Visa State or Territory Nominated (subclass 491): 491 (S/T)
- Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa (subclass 494)
- Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482): Short-term stream: TSS (S)
Benefits of the Australian Skilled Worker Visa
- Job Opportunities: Once granted, the Australia Skilled Worker Visa provides avenues for the immigrant to be offered jobs in his or her area of expertise. Within four months of moving to the country, more than 80 out of 100 migrants with qualified independent visas got work.
- Freedom to Work: The skilled worker visa also allows immigrants to apply for and get work permits that grant them freedom to work in Australia.
- Flexible guidelines on immigration: There is no limitation on the number of visas that can be made available through the temporary entry system to professionals and other skilled immigrants. In contrast to other countries, Kangaroo Land also boasts relatively more versatile and efficient temporary entry arrangements.
Application Procedures
- Check first that you meet a minimum point score of 65, that your occupation is included under the list of skilled occupations, and that you are eligible to apply.
- An Expression of Interest (EOI) must be submitted before being invited to apply for the visa. There are basic requirements to meet before submitting your EOI. You will only receive an invitation to apply if your EOI has been selected.
- Receive an invitation to apply. Applicants who score the best are invited to apply across multiple occupations.
- Apply for a visa. Applicants are given 60 days from the invitation to submit the visa application.