Australian Immigration Lawyer

Skilled Visas

Skilled Migration to Australia is assessed by applying the Points Test to an applicant. This process is carried-out on paper only. There is no interview nor practical practical skills test . The current pass mark for Independent Skilled Migration is 120 points and for Skilled-Sponsored is 100 points.

Skilled Migration is a two staged process. First, the applicant is required to undertake skills assessment through the relevant skills assessing authority. The requirements of the skills assessing authority may not be the same as that of the Department of Immigration.

The second stage is the migration application to the Adelaide Skilled Processing Centre. The applicant will be assessed against the Points Test. The skills assessing authority assessment will nominate the occupation and the points for skills are determined by the Skilled Occupation List. Note that the Skilled Occupation List does not include all possible occupations . Generally, Bachelor degree occupations are allocated 60/50 points and Diploma occupations are allocated 40 points.

Recent Australian Graduates are afforded a recent work experience waiver up to six months after completing their degree/diploma. All other applicants must have recent work experience in their nominated occupation. 60 point occupations must have 12 out of the last 18 months work experience and 50/40 point occupations must have two out of the last three years work experience prior to making the application.

Proof of age must be provided with the application. The applicant must be under 45 years old.

English Language Ability is tested by the IELTS Test. “6” in all four components in Speaking, Reading, Writing and Listening is the base requirement for an allocated 15 points and “7” in all four components is allocated 25 points. Dependent adult applicants have the option of taking the IELTS Test or paying the English Education Charge, currently $2485.

The Work Experience criteria allocates points for three out of the last four years work experience in an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List .

The Australian Qualifications criteria allocates points for Australian qualifications gained after two years full-time study in Australia.

The spouse criteria allocates 5 points to the qualifications of a dependant applicant who has been successful at skills assessment .

If a sponsor lives in a “Designated Area” for at least 2 years prior to making of the Skilled Sponsored application, only the skill, age and English language criteria needs to be met. “Designated Areas” are generally outside of the Sydney to Brisbane Eastern seaboard and Perth metropolitan area.

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The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice.
You should consult a lawyer for individual advice regarding your own situation.

Immigration Options

Skilled Visas