Skilled visas: if you're outside Australia

If you’re living outside of 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.

The General Skilled Migration Program is for people who do not have employer sponsorship and who have particular skills required in Australia.

All applicants must:

  • Provide evidence of recent skilled employment in a skilled occupation or have recently competed the Australian Study requirement.
  • Be under 50 years old at the time of applying.
  • Meet the threshold English language requirement of competent English.
  • Nominate and hold a skilled assessment for an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) at the time of lodging the application.
  • Meet the pass mark of 65 points.

Skilled – Independent (Migrant) visa (Subclass 175)

This is a permanent residence visa for people with skills and qualifications in demand in the Australian labour market. Applicants are not sponsored and must pass a points test.

The Skilled – Independent (Migrant) visa allows the applicant (and secondary applicants included in the visa application) to live as permanent residents in Australia.

This means holders can live, work and study in Australia on a permanent basis, receive subsidised healthcare and access social security payments. They will also be eligible for Australian citizenship and will be able to sponsor others for permanent residence.

Skilled – Sponsored (Migrant) visa (Subclass 176)

This is a permanent residence visa for those unable to meet the Skilled – Independent pass mark. Applicants (or their spouse or interdependent partner) must be either sponsored by an eligible relative living in Australia or nominated by a participating state or territory government. Applicants must pass a points test lower than that for the Skilled – Independent visa. All state and territory governments in Australia are participating in this visa scheme.

The Skilled – Sponsored (Migrant) visa allows the applicant (and secondary applicants included in the visa application) to live as permanent residents in Australia.

This means they can live, work and study in Australia on a permanent basis, receive subsidised healthcare and access social security payments. They will also be eligible for Australian citizenship and will be able to sponsor others for permanent residence.

Skilled – Regional Sponsored (Provisional) visa (Subclass 475)

This is a three-year provisional visa for people outside Australia who are unable to meet the criteria for a Skilled – Independent visa and be either sponsored by an eligible relative living in a designated area of Australia or nominated by a participating state or territory government.

After living in Australia for two years (and working for at least one year in a Specified Regional Area) applicants can apply for a permanent visa. Applicants must pass a points test.

Need help determining the right visa for your situation?

This provisional visa allows the applicant to stay in Australia for up to three years while working, and accompanying secondary applicants to work and study, but only in Specified Regional Areas of Australia. It also provides a pathway to permanent residence. Applicants will not qualify for Australian social security payments.

Skilled – Recognised Graduate (Temporary) visa (Subclass 476)

This is an 18-month temporary work experience visa for recent engineering graduates of recognised overseas educational institutions who have skills in demand in Australia. There is no points test for this visa, but other requirements must be met.

Holders of this visa may also travel or study and can apply for permanent residence at any time if able to meet the pass mark on the General Skilled Migration points test.

This visa allows its holder, any secondary applicants included in the visa application, to remain in Australia for up to 18 months with no restrictions on work or study.

The SOL and ENSOL

Depending on the visa for which you apply, your occupation must either be on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) or the Employer Nomination Scheme Occupation List (ENSOL). See SOL AND ENSOL lists for more information.

Visa eligibility and approval depends on the applicant's individual circumstances. To find out if you're eligible for an Australian General Skilled Migration visa, take Working In's free online eligibility assessment.

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