General Skilled Migration Australia - Visa classes 189, 190, 491/191
Seek advice about your skilled visa prospects at an early stage
Applying for a skilled visa is not a straightforward process and understanding how the regulations and policy will be applied to your application is complex. Many applicants are successful in receiving a positive skills assessment but, these authorities are not responsible for you meeting DHA criteria. Before you start out on your visa journey you need to look at the bigger picture and ask:
- Is my nominated occupation on a state or territory skills list?
- What are the maximum points I can claim?
- Is my points score enough to be nominated?
- Do I need to achieve proficient or superior English?
- How much work experience can I claim points for?
- Where do I want to live in Australia?
- Am I prepared to reside in regional Australia?
- Am I able to meet state/territory criteria?
- Will special conditions or ranking reduce my prospect of being nominated?
- Will I need a job offer?
- How much funds are required to settle in Australia?
These are the questions you should be asking before planning your move to Australia. Seeking advice at an early stage will provide you with a clear understanding of what you have to achieve to be granted a General Skilled Migration visa for Australia.
SkillSelect and the General Skilled Migration points test
SkillSelect is the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) online system which enables you to record points based details about yourself and spouse by submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI). To receive an invitation for a Skilled Independent visa or if you are sponsored by a relative residing in a designated area of Australia you must achieve the minimum points published by the DHA each month. If you are nominated by a state or territory government, you must score a minimum of 65 points in the Australian visa points test but, will automatically receive an invitation from the DHA to submit a visa application. Please note that some states and territories may require higher points for some occupations.
You can generate points for the following factors:
- Your age (you must be under 45)
- Being a single applicant
- Partner skills and or competent English
- Recognised qualifications via a skills assessment
- Skilled employment in your nominated occupation
- English language skills (via a test)
- Nomination by a state or territory government
- Sponsorship by a close relative residing in a designated area of Australia
- Previous study in Australia
- Specialist Education qualifications
- Accredited language skills
- Professional year in Australia
What General Skilled Migration visa sub-classes can be applied for?
Skilled Independent visa for Australia – subclass 189
The Skilled Independent visa is a permanent General Skilled Migration visa which does not require nomination by a state or territory government or sponsorship by a relative. Your nominated occupation must be on the Medium and Long Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) and you cannot apply for this visa if your nominated occupation is only on the Short Term Skilled Occupations List (STSOL). Invitation rounds are published monthly by the DHA and you will be ranked against other applicants which will be determined by your occupation, the number of points claimed and date of lodgement of your EOI. Places for this visa class are competitive.
Skilled Nominated visa for Australia – subclass 190
The Skilled Nominated visa is a permanent General Skilled Migration visa which requires a commitment to living and working in the nominating state or territory for 2 years. The benefit of being nominated by a state or territory government is that you will not be subject to DHA invitation rounds and will automatically receive an invitation if you are nominated. This visa class also offers a pathway to applicants whose nominated occupation is only on the STSOL.
Skilled Regional Work visa for Australia - subclass 491/191
The Skilled Regional Work visa for Australia is for applicants who are willing to live in a regional area of Australia (anywhere except Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane) for a minimum of 3 years. You can either be nominated by a state or territory government or sponsored by a close relative settled and residing in a designated area of Australia. If you are sponsored by a relative your nominated occupation must be on the MLTSSL Holders of a subclass 491 visa (primary applicant, spouse and children) will become eligible to apply for permanent residence (subclass 191 - Skilled Regional visa) providing they have lived, worked (with a minimum annual taxable income of $53,900) and studied in a designated regional area of Australia for a minimum of 3 out of a total of 5 years as the holder of a subclass 491 visa.
What are the benefits of being nominated by a state or territory government?
The Skilled Nominated and Skilled Regional visa sub-classes have become increasingly popular due to the Skilled Independent visa remaining beyond the reach for many applicants. To be nominated you must have an occupation on the relevant Skilled Occupations List or a state/territory skills list and satisfy individual selection criteria of the state or territory you have selected. Successful candidates are generally selected in accordance with economic requirements which may include the number of years work experience, specialised skills, employability, a job offer, English language skills, relatives residing in the state or territory, settlement funds and overall points score.
If you are nominated, you will:
- Automatically be invited by the DHA to submit an application.
- Receive priority visa processing with the DHA.
- Receive 5 points for a Skilled Nominated visa towards the DHA points test
- Receive 15 points for a Skilled Regional visa towards the DHA points test
What services can I expect to receive from Concept Australia?
Concept Australia has been assisting people since 1991 to obtain skilled visas to reside in Australia and offers a full range of bespoke visa application services tailored to meet your specific requirements. All of our staff including the Registered Migration Agent (9901024) are based permanently in the UK and have previously held positions with the DHA. We work directly with our clients and do not sub-contract work out to other companies or individuals. We take responsibility for the entire management of your application and offer a personal service throughout the visa process so as to ensure that your case runs as smoothly as possible.
Our services include:
- A consultation to examine your visa options and discuss the visa process
- Completing the skills assessment and visa application forms
- Lodging your EOI once your skills have been recognised for migration purposes
- Ensuring claims made in your EOI can be substantiated and are correct
- Uploading all relevant documents to the online SkillSelect ImmiAccount
- Managing your application until your skilled visa is decided by the DHA
- Discussing any other issues such as health and character
Why should I only use an agent registered with MARA?
Registered Migration agents are managed by the DHA who is responsible for monitoring the conduct of registered migration agents both in and outside Australia. An agent registered with the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA) must meet professional standards and is accountable for the advice and information provided to its clients. MARA agents must subscribe to DHA migration regulations and undertake annual professional development activities to ensure they maintain up-to-date knowledge of migration law and procedure. For more information click here.
How much does it cost to apply for a General Skilled Migration visa for Australia?
Concept Australia’s fees cover all persons included in the visa application and are charged in stages as we undertake the work on your behalf which range from £1,800 - £2200 depending on the visa class selected.
- DHA – A$4,045 (main applicant), A$2,025 (spouse) A$1,010 (dependent child)
- Skills assessment – will depend on nominated occupation
- English language test £155 - £175
- Nomination – will depend on the state or territory selected
- Health checks – Adult £310, Child 11 - 14 - £235, Child 4 - 10 years - £85
- UK police report - £55.
How long does the skilled visa application process take?
The processing timetable from start to finish is influenced by a number of factors which can include your points score, nominated occupation and the decision by a state or territory government to nominate you.
Making an initial enquiry for a preliminary assessment of your potential eligibility
When you contact Concept Australia, an experienced staff member will provide you with an honest appraisal of your visa options and whether a pathway is available to you. If you would like to know how we can assist you in obtaining a General Skilled Migration visa for Australia, please complete the Enquiry form below and submit your details to
Concept Australia or send an email to info@conceptoz.co.uk
SKYPE or telephone consultations
If we have assessed that you have the potential to be granted a visa a consultation will enable you to make an informed judgement regarding your future migration plans. You will also have an opportunity to ask key questions that you may not have found answers to during your research. There is no obligation to engage Concept Australia but, if you do decide to appoint us to represent you, the consultation fee of £95:00 + VAT will be deducted from the first stage of our fee.
Our office hours are:
- Monday – Friday from 09:30 – 17:00
- Saturday from 09:00 – 12:00
- Selected mid-week evenings from 17:00 – 19:00.