Skilled visas: If you're in Australia
If you’re already in Australia at the time of application, take note of the different types of skilled visa options to ensure you apply for the correct and most appropriate visa for your situation.
Skilled – Independent (Residence) visa (Subclass 885)
This visa is permanent and for eligible overseas students who have obtained an Australian qualification in Australia as a result of at least two years study, and for holders of certain temporary visas with skills in demand in Australia, to apply for permanent residency.
Applicants for this visa are not sponsored and must pass a points test based on requirements and characteristics of the Australian market.
Requirements
Applicants must be:
- In Australia as an overseas student or former overseas student and hold one of the following visas: a Skilled – Graduate (Subclass 485) visa, a Skilled – Recognised Graduate (Subclass 476) visa or a Trade Skills Training (Subclass 471) visa
- Under 45 years old
- Proficient in English
Costs
Applicants must pay a Visa Application Charge of AU$2525. A second instalment of AU$3510, for dependents aged 18 years or over with less than functional English, must be paid before the visa is granted*.
Secondary applicants
This visa allows secondary applicants to be included in the visa application and live as permanent residents in Australia, with the right to work, study and receive subsidised healthcare. Dependants may also access social security payments and be eligible for Australian citizenship.
Skilled – Sponsored (Residence) visa (Subclass 886)
This visa, for applicants not able to meet the Skilled – Independent pass mark, is very similar to the above visa but requires a sponsor – either a willing and able relative of the applicant or their spouse or interdependent partner, who lives in Australia, or a nomination from a state or territory government agency.
All state and territory governments in Australia are participating in this visa scheme. The same requirements and costs as the Skilled – Independent visa apply; however, applicants must pass a lower points test. It’s important to note that relative sponsors must meet a number of obligations.
Skilled – Regional (Residence) visa (Subclass 887)
The Skilled – Regional visa is a permanent visa for those who hold certain provisional visas, have lived in Australia for at least two years and worked for at least one year in a Specified Regional Area in Australia.
Provisional visas
If you hold one of the below visas, you may be eligible for the Skilled – Regional visa:
- Skilled – Independent Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 495)
- Skilled – Designated Area – Sponsored (Provisional) visa (Subclass 496)
- Skilled – Regional Sponsored (Provisional) visa (Subclass 475)
- Skilled – Regional Sponsored (Provisional) visa (Subclass 487)
Costs
The applicant must pay a visa application charge of AU$230. A second instalment of AU$3510, for dependents aged 18 years or over with less than functional English, must be paid before the visa is granted*.
Secondary applicants
This visa allows secondary applicants to be included in the visa application and live as permanent residents in Australia, with the right to work, study and receive subsidised healthcare. Dependants may also access social security payments and be eligible for Australian citizenship.
Skilled – Regional Sponsored (Provisional) visa (Subclass 487)
This is a three-year provisional visa for eligible overseas students and holders of certain temporary visas, who are unable to meet the criteria for a permanent skilled visa.
With this visa, once an applicant has lived in Australia for two years and worked at least one year in a Specified Regional Area of Australia, they will be given the chance to apply for permanent residency.
Applicants must be either sponsored by a willing and able relative living in an appointed area of Australia or nominated by a participating state or territory government agency. It’s important to note that relative sponsors must meet a number of obligations.
About the visa
Applicants must hold one of the following:
- Skilled – Graduate visa (Subclass 485) or a Skilled – Recognised Graduate visa (Subclass 476)
- Trade Skills Training visa (Subclass 471)
- Working Holiday visa (Subclass 417)
- Occupational Trainee visa (Subclass 442)
Requirements
Applicants must be:
- Under 45 years old
- Proficient in English
Costs
Applicants must pay a Visa Application Charge of AU$2105 and a 12-month renewal fee of $230. A second instalment of AU$3510, for dependents aged 18 years or over with less than functional English, must be paid before the visa is granted. Exception: The second instalment fee will not be payable if the applicant holds a provisional visa, and paid the second instalment for their first provisional skilled visa, and is applying for a 12-month renewal*.
Secondary applicants
This visa, besides providing a pathway to permanent residence, allows applicants to stay in Australia for up to three years while they live and work in Specified Regional Areas. It will also allow for secondary applicants work and study, but also only in a Specified Regional Area of Australia.
Skilled – Graduate (Temporary) visa (Subclass 485)
This is an 18-month visa that allows overseas students who do not meet the criteria for a permanent General Skilled Migration visa to stay in Australia and gain skilled work experience or improve their English skills. Skilled – Graduate (Temporary) visa holders are able to apply permanent residence at any point, if they can meet the pass mark on the General Skilled Migration points test.
Requirements
Applicants for this visa must:
- Be under 45 years of age
- Have completed an eligible qualification as a result of at least two years study in Australia in the previous six months
- Be unable to meet the pass mark on the points test for the Skilled – Independent (Residence) visa
- Have skills and qualifications that meet the Australian standard for their occupation on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) and their nominated occupation must be classified as either a 60-point or 50-point occupation
Costs
The applicant must pay a Visa Application Charge of AU$230*.
Secondary applicants
This visa allows you and any secondary applicants included in your visa application to remain in Australia for up to 18 months with no restrictions on work or study. During this period you may choose to travel, work, study or complete a professional year (a structured development programme combining formal learning and workplace experience).
The SOL and ENSOL
Depending on which visa you apply for, your occupation must either be on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) or the Employer Nomination Scheme Occupation List (ENSOL). See SOL AND ENSOL list for more information.
*Fees are subject to change at any time.
