Skilled migration in Australia

Written by: Ahsan Ahmed

Australian immigration works on a points-based system from the skilled occupation list. The higher points you have, the better chance of getting the invitation/ PR. You need minimum 65 points to be eligible to apply but this score is not sufficient for an invitation. Nowadays Australia is inviting the people who has at least 80+ points and whose occupation is considered as high demand positions like Doctor, Nurse, highly skilled Engineer or IT professionals. .

How points are calculated: different measures are applied when calculating the points for Australian migration. Some of them will not be adequate to you if you did not graduate from any Australian university or worked in Australia. Check your points below below table:

Age:     18-25 years – 25 points 
25-33 years – 30 points
33-40 years – 25 points
English language: Proficient (7+ each IELTS/ 65+ each PTE) – 10 
Superior (8+ each IETLS/ 79+ each PTE) – 20
Work experience outside Australia: At least 3- less than 5 years – 5 
At least 5- less than 8 years – 10 
At least 8 years – 15
Work experience in Australia: At least 1- less than 3 years – 5
At least 3- less than 5 years – 10
At least 5- less than 8 years – 15 
At least 8 years – 20
Qualifications: Doctorate – 20
Bachelor – 15
Diploma-  10
Australian study requirement: You have studied in Australia – 5
Specialist education requirement: Master’s degree by research/ Doctorate in Australia with at least 2 years study- 10 
Accreditation is a community language: Naati CCL – 5 
Study in regional Australia:  Lived and studied in regional Australia – 5 
Partner skills: Single/ Not married – 10
Partner with competent English – 5
Partner with competent English and suitable skill – 10 
Professional year in Australia:  Completion of Professional year course – 5
State Nomination Nomination from the state (190)-  5

You may use the point tool from the immigration website for more accurate calculation: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/tools/points-calculator

Streams: there are different types of PR options and pathways are available as below

Mostly, subclass 189 and 190 is the most appropriate options for any skilled individual wanting to get migrated in Australia permanently. Subclass 189 is issued by the federal government and 190 is by the state government. Both of them works on the points-based system and might have different eligibility criteria applies. 

How can I apply for Australian skill migration? 

  • At the very first please check if your occupation is listed under the eligible skilled occupation list (SOL). 

You may check your occupation here: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/working-in-australia/skill-occupation-list

  • Once you find your relevant occupation on the list, apply for the skill assessment from the Assessing Authoring. You can find who is your skill assessing authority beside your occupation itself. The fees for skill assessment vary from one to another. The assessment will be valid for two to three years depending on the assessing body. For ACS, the assessment fee is AUD 500 and it is valid for two years. 
  • Some of the skill assessing authorities are:
    • Australian Computer Society (ACS)
    • CPA Australia
    • Engineers Australia
    • VETASSESS
  • Prepare all the paperwork’s for PTE/ IELTS, NAATI CCL, Degree certificates, Mark sheets, Work experience letters, Payslips, Bank statements, Tax return paper, completion letter for the professional year (if any) and passport copy.

  • Check if you are eligible for subclass 190 skilled nominated visa other than subclass 189 skilled independent visa

Check your eligibility for 190 visa here: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/skilled-nominated-190#Eligibility

  • Open an account on Skill Select to lodge your Expression of Interest (EOI). Tick the box for interest on both 189 and 190 if you are eligible. Getting invitation on 190 is a bit easier than 189 but it will require you to commit to live and work for the state you get nominated from for a certain period where with 189 there is no commitment to work and live anywhere in Australia.  Once you lodge your EOI, you will receive an EOI submission letter and EOI points letter.  

You can open an account and lodge EOI from here: https://skillselect.gov.au/SKILLSELECTSTS/Login

  • Once the EOI is lodged, it’s time to wait patiently to get the invitation from DHA. For both subclass 189 and 190, the invite works on the skilled occupation list and point score. Someone who got more points will get the priority on the invitation list. You may get the invitation on low points as well if your skill is on priority or critical list in Australia at the time of your application or invitation period. Please note, the EOI is valid for only two years and if you are not invited within this period, it will be expired automatically.

  • Once you are invited to apply for Permanent Residency visa, you can pay the fees (around AUD 4045 for the primary applicant), supply all the documents and apply within 60 days. Department will issue you the permanent visa to live and work in Australia and once eligible you can apply to become an Australian citizen. Citizen and permanent resident almost get same benefits except right to vote and travelling with an Australian passport.

Further details can be found here: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/skilled-independent-189/points-tested

Help and resource: Find the various sources and information to get to know more about Australian immigration and your eligibility before starting the migration journey. Below are some useful sites for Australian migration:

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