Visa Options

http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/index_filter.htm

There is a range of visa options under the General Skilled Migration programme for skilled workers who want to live in Australia and who do not have an employer sponsoring them. These include options for skilled people applying as an independent migrant as well as those sponsored by a relative, or a state/territory government.

Sponsored

Applicants who are sponsored are required to sign a number of undertakings and in some cases a bond must be paid.

Independent

Independent migrants have the least number of restrictions placed on them and this is the preferred option for eligible applicants who do not have an employer to sponsor them. Assess your eligibility for the independent visas before you continue.

If you are in Australia on an eligible student visa and you have recently completed an Australian degree, diploma or trade qualification as a result of two years study in Australia.
See: Skilled Independent Overseas Student visa (subclass 880)

All other applicants.
See: Skilled Independent visa (subclass 136)



Visa Options - If you are outside Australia

Skill Matching visa (subclass 134)
A permanent visa for applicants unable to meet the Skilled Independent criteria who want to have their details listed on our Skill Matching Database. Applicants must be sponsored by a participating state/territory government or by an Australian employer.

Skilled - Independent visa (subclass 136)
A permanent visa for people with characteristics needed in the Australian labour market. Applicants are not sponsored but must pass a points test.

Skilled - State Territory Nominated Independent visa (subclass 137)
A permanent visa for people unable to meet the Skilled Independent criteria. Applicants must be sponsored by a participating state/territory government, and their nominated occupation must be on the skills shortage list of the sponsoring state.

Skilled - Australian Sponsored visa (subclass 138)
A permanent visa for people unable to meet the Skilled Independent criteria but who have an eligible relative living in Australia willing to sponsor them. This visa has a points test to select applicants with characteristics needed in the Australian labour market.

Skilled - Designated Area Sponsored visa (subclass 139)
A permanent visa for people unable to meet the Skilled Independent criteria but who have an eligible relative living in a designated area of Australia willing to sponsor them. This visa does not have a points test but applicants must have characteristics needed in the Australian labour market.

Skilled - Independent Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 495)
A three (3) year visa for people unable to meet the Skilled Independent criteria, but who can meet the slightly lower pass mark for this visa. After living in a regional or low-population growth metropolitan area for two (2) years and working for at least 12 months in a regional or low-population growth metropolitan area, applicants can apply for a permanent visa. Applicants must be sponsored by a participating state/territory government.

Skilled - Designated Area Sponsored (Provisional) visa (subclass 496)
A three (3) year visa for people unable to meet the pass mark on the points test for either a Skilled - Independent or Skilled Australian Sponsored visa but are able to be sponsored by a relative living in a designated area of Australia. After living in a designated area of Australia for two (2) years and working full-time for at least 12 months in a designated area in the same state/territory as their sponsor, applicants can apply for a permanent visa.