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SKILLED VISA
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Australia offers a variety of visa pathways for individuals seeking to work, study, visit, or reunite with family.
Skilled migration visas are specifically designed to attract qualified professionals whose skills, qualifications, and work experience are in demand across Australia’s workforce.
INDEPENDENT SKILLED MIGRATION VISAS
Skilled migration visas are intended for individuals with occupations in demand in Australia. The primary visa subclasses under this program include:
- Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)
- Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)
- Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491)
These visas fall within the General Skilled Migration (GSM) program, a points-tested system requiring applicants to demonstrate their eligibility based on factors such as age, qualifications, work experience, and English proficiency.
Applicants must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) and receive an invitation from the Department of Home Affairs before lodging a visa application. The GSM program is particularly suited to skilled workers who do not have employer sponsorship.
SKILLED INDEPENDENT VISA (SUBCLASS 189)
The Skilled Independent (Subclass 189) visa is a permanent residence visa allowing skilled workers to live and work anywhere in Australia without requiring sponsorship or nomination.
Points-Tested Stream
Applicants are assessed based on a points system considering:
- Skills and qualifications
- English language proficiency
- Skilled work experience
- Other relevant factors
Eligibility requirements:
- Occupation must be listed on the relevant skilled occupation list
- Obtain a positive skills assessment
- Achieve a minimum of 65 points (noting that higher scores are typically required for invitation)
- Submit an EOI and receive an invitation
- Be under 45 years of age at the time of application
- Meet English, health, and character requirements
Invitations are issued periodically, and minimum points thresholds vary depending on occupation and demand.
New Zealand Stream
This stream provides a pathway to permanent residence for eligible New Zealand citizens.
Eligibility requirements:
- Hold a Special Category (Subclass 444) visa
- Have resided in Australia continuously for at least 5 years
- Have commenced residence on or before 19 February 2016
- Meet applicable income thresholds (unless exempt)
- Satisfy health and character requirements
SKILLED NOMINATED VISA (SUBCLASS 190)
The Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190) visa is a permanent residence visa requiring nomination by an Australian state or territory government.
Key features:
- Applicants receive an additional 5 points for nomination
- Requires a commitment to live and work in the nominating state or territory (Generally for at least 2 years)
- Operates under the same points-tested framework as Subclass 189
Eligibility requirements:
- Occupation must be on the relevant skilled occupation list
- Submit an EOI and receive an invitation
- Obtain nomination from a state or territory government
- Meet specific nomination criteria set by the relevant jurisdiction
- Achieve at least 65 points (higher scores may be required in practice)
- Obtain a positive skills assessment
- Be under 45 years of age
- Meet English, health, and character requirements
SKILLED WORK REGIONAL (PROVISIONAL) VISA (SUBCLASS 491)
The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (Subclass 491) visa is a provisional visa valid for up to 5 years. It is designed to encourage skilled migration to regional areas of Australia.
Applicants may be nominated by a state or territory government or sponsored by an eligible relative residing in a designated regional area.
Key features:
- Provides a pathway to permanent residence through the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) (Subclass 191) visa
- Requires living and working in regional Australia
Eligibility requirements:
- Occupation must be on the relevant skilled occupation list
- Submit an EOI and receive an invitation
- Be nominated by a state/territory or sponsored by an eligible relative
- Achieve at least 65 points (higher thresholds may apply)
- Meet any additional state or territory nomination requirements
- Be under 45 years of age at the time of application
- Meet English, health, and character requirements
EMPLOYER-NOMINATED SKILLED VISAS
Employer-nominated skilled visas enable Australian businesses to address labour shortages by sponsoring suitably qualified overseas workers for specific roles. Depending on the visa subclass, these visas may be temporary or permanent and require a formal nomination by an approved Australian employer.
Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482)
The Subclass 482 visa is a temporary work visa that allows skilled workers to live and work in Australia for an approved sponsoring employer for up to four years, depending on the occupation and visa stream.
Applications must be supported by an approved sponsor and a valid nomination lodged with the Department of Home Affairs.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the Subclass 482 visa, the applicant must:
- Be nominated for an occupation listed on the relevant occupation list
- Be sponsored by an approved Australian employer
- Have at least one year of relevant full-time work experience in the nominated occupation (or a closely related field) within the last five years
- Hold the relevant qualifications or equivalent experience required for the role
- Obtain a positive skills assessment, where applicable
- Demonstrate competent English language proficiency
- Meet health and character requirements
Key Benefits
- No age restriction applies to this visa subclass
- Ability to live and work in Australia in the nominated occupation
- Travel flexibility, allowing multiple entries during the visa validity period
- Access to a pathway to permanent residence, subject to meeting eligibility criteria (e.g., through employer-sponsored permanent visa options after a qualifying period)
EMPLOYER-NOMINATED SKILLED VISAS
Employer-nominated skilled visas enable Australian businesses to address labour shortages by sponsoring suitably qualified overseas workers for specific roles. Depending on the visa subclass, these visas may be temporary or permanent and require a formal nomination by an approved Australian employer.
- Skills in Demand (Subclass 482) visa
- Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) visa
- Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) (Subclass 494) visa.
SKILLED EMPLOYER SPONSORED REGIONAL (PROVISIONAL) VISA (SUBCLASS 494)
The Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) (Subclass 494) visa is a temporary visa that enables skilled workers to live and work in designated regional areas of Australia for up to five years.
This visa is designed to address labour shortages in regional Australia by allowing employers operating in regional areas to sponsor suitably qualified overseas workers.
- The Subclass 494 visa also provides a pathway to permanent residency, typically after three years, through the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) (Subclass 191) visa (subject to meeting income and residency requirements).
Applications must be supported by an approved employer nomination lodged with the Department of Home Affairs.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Subclass 494 visa, the applicant must:
- Be under 45 years of age at the time of application (subject to limited exemptions, e.g. certain academics or high-income earners)
- Be nominated by an approved employer located in a designated regional area of Australia
- Have an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list
- Obtain a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority
- Have at least three years of relevant full-time work experience in the nominated occupation or a closely related field
- Demonstrate Competent English (e.g. IELTS score of at least 6 in each component or equivalent)
- Meet health and character requirements
Key Benefits
- Ability to live and work in regional Australia for up to five years
- Multiple travel rights, allowing entry and exit from Australia during the visa validity period
- Access to a clear pathway to permanent residency via the Subclass 191 visa, subject to eligibility
- Opportunity to gain valuable Australian work experience, strengthening long-term migration prospects
How Bamyan Law Group Can Help
Applying for an Australian Work Visa require careful preparation and detailed supporting evidence. At Bamyan Law Group, we can guide you through every stage of the process, assess your eligibility, prepare a strong application, and help you meet all sponsorship and evidentiary requirements.
Contact our team today to discuss your circumstances and take the first step towards building your future together in Australia.
Why Choose Bamyan Law Group?
We take the time to understand your circumstances, your challenges, and what you want to achieve. We work closely with you to make sure you have the best migration option outcome, with the right visa for your needs.
We’re compassionate, professional, and responsive—and you can depend on us to be with you every step of the way.
Our team of experienced lawyers and our case manager have years of experience in immigration law and are all highly qualified, so you’re in safe hands with Bamyan Law Group.