The Skilled Migration Program is to overcome skill shortages within the Australian workforce and to identify the individuals who can contribution to Australia’s thriving economy. For this skilled migration visas, applications are to be points tested before lodging the file. The aim of the Points Test is to identify factors in a potential migrant that will benefit Australia or help with settlement.
The categories under the Skilled Migration are as follows

• Independent/Relative or State territory Sponsored Skilled visa
• Independent /Relative or State territory Sponsored Skilled Overseas Student visa
• Skilled Independent / Relative or State territory Regional Visa

Independent/Relative or State territory Sponsored Skilled

Entry into Australia under this stream is entirely dependent on the Points Test except for designated area sponsored applications where there is no Points Test. The following are the requirements:

• Must be under 45 years of age at the time of application.
• Have competitive ability in English language for working in Australia.
• Have finished post-secondary such as university or trade qualifications and in some cases substantial relevant work experience.
• When applying for this visa, the applicant must nominate a skilled occupation which is in the skilled occupation list that fits his/her skills and qualifications. If the applicant’s occupation is not in list they can come and see us for detailed information which can provide other alternative for resolving certain exceptional cases.
• Depending on the occupation nominated, the applicant must be paid employee in the nominated skilled occupation for at least 12 out of 24 months prior to lodgment of application.

Independent /Relative or State territory Sponsored Skilled Overseas Student

This visa is similar to the Independent or Australian Sponsored Skilled but it is only for eligible overseas students in Australia willing to apply for permanent residence immediately after completion of 2 years fulltime course. In addition the applicant must fulfill the following,

1. The successful nominated occupation assessment which provides 60 points or if he/she has to successfully complete an Australian doctorate degree and if he/she holds a nominated occupation assessment of 50 points to enable the applicant to be eligible to apply for the independent skilled overseas student visa.
2. The successful nominated occupation assessment must be at least 40 points to enable the applicant to be eligible to apply for the Australian Sponsored Skilled Overseas Student Stream.

Applicants for the above Overseas Student categories of visas are strongly advised to apply for the Skilled – Graduate (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 485) visa as soon as they receive the receipt for the lodgment of their assessment of nominated occupation. The application when granted will allow the applicants and their family members included in their applications a period of stay up to six months by which they must lodge their applications for their permanent residence visas. This visa will also allow the applicants to work until they get the permanent residency.

Skilled Independent / Relative or State territory Sponsored Regional Visa

The skilled independent regional visa is to attract highly skilled people currently offshore, or onshore overseas students who completed a two-year course of study or training institution in regional Australia to migrate to regional or low population growth areas of Australia. This category of visa is particularly beneficial to the applicants who do not meet the 120 pass mark or not having relatives to sponsor them for skilled migration. The Skilled Regional or Skilled Regional Sponsored  visa requires the applicant to score at least a pass mark of 100 and is a 3-year temporary visa, which can lead to permanent residence (Skilled Regional Residence). The Minister of Immigration has announced that applicants who apply for the Skilled Regional or Skilled Regional Sponsored visa will be granted 10 additional points with effect from 01 July 2005. To apply the skilled independent regional visa applicant must,

3. be under 45 years of age at the time of lodgment of the Skilled Regional or Skilled Regional Sponsored visa application
4. Have at least Competent English language proficiency, scoring at least 6.0 in each of the 4 bands of the IELTS test
5. Nominate and have been successfully assessed by the relevant Australian assessing authority for an occupation on the Skilled Occupation Lists
6. Have recent work experience in a skilled occupation, or if he or she is an overseas student, is eligible for exemption from this requirement because the applicant has recently completed an Australian qualification after a minimum of two years study in Australia;
7. Meet the Skilled Regional or Skilled Regional Sponsored visa pass mark of 100 points and/or
8. Posses’ sponsorship by an Australian State or Territory Government.