SKILLED Visa PROGRAM
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What is the skilled visa program in Australia?
Australia’s skilled visa program comprises of the following visa subclasses:
- Subclass 189 skilled independent visa
- Subclass 190 state nominated visa
- Subclass 491 skilled work regional (provisional) visa
- Subclass 485 temporary graduate visa
We provide our services to clients across Australia and can assist you no matter where you are located.
What are the steps to apply for a subclass 189, 190 and 491 visa in Australia?
The skilled visa application process to Australia essentially involves four critical steps:
- Assessing your eligibility and prospects for a skilled visa against the state and territory government requirements and/or visa requirements;
- Preparing and lodging an Expression of Interest through SkillSelect;
- Applying for state nomination with one of Australia’s state or territory governments (if applicable); and
- Lodging your visa application with the Department of Home Affairs (Immigration)
The skilled visa process can be complex as it involves several steps and will require you to prepare and provide time critical evidence to prove your eligibility. Our experienced migration lawyers can assist you with this process and ensure that you are prepared to address all the requirements at each stage of the process.
Which jobs can get permanent residency in Australia?
Skilled Migration Occupation lists are prepared by the Australian Government to reflect the workforce needs and shortages impacting Australia.
The Skilled Migration Occupation lists contain skilled occupations which are eligible for migration to Australia.
As the Skilled Migration Occupation lists change very regularly it is difficult to predict the occupations which will lead to permanent visa outcomes and impossible to guarantee permanent visa outcomes through any particular occupation.
The National Skills Commission is responsible for providing the service of labour market analysis to the Australia Government in order to construct the Skilled Migration Occupation lists.
What is a temporary graduate (subclass 485) visa?
The temporary graduate visa (subclass 485) is for international students who have recently graduated in Australia.
The visa consist of two different streams, including:
- The Graduate Work stream; and
- The Post-Study Work stream.
What is the difference between the graduate work stream and the post study work stream?
The key differences between the graduate work stream and the post study work stream are:
Graduate work stream: Post-study work stream:
Validity period is 18 months Validity period can be 2-4 years
Must nominate an eligible occupation Eligible occupation not required
Eligible occupation must be relevant to Eligible occupation not required qualification
Must obtain positive skills assessment Skills assessment not required
Degree, Diploma or Trade qualification Bachelor, Masters and PhD acceptable acceptable
Available to Student visa holders or Only available if granted first Student past Student visa holders visa on or after 5 November 2011
The above is a non-exhaustive list of differences between the two streams available under the temporary graduate (subclass 485) visa. These requirements are subject to change at any time and we recommend that you review the Department of Home Affairs website for consistent updates.
What are the skilled visa processing times in Australia?
The current visa processing time for the subclass 189 skilled independent visa is between 18 and 30 months.
The current visa processing time for the subclass 190 state nominated visa is between 6 and 18 months.
The current visa processing time for the subclass 491 skilled work regional (provisional) visa is between 5 and 9 months.
The current visa processing time for the subclass 485 temporary graduate visa is between 10 to 12 months.
How much does a skilled visa to Australia cost?
The cost of a skilled visa in Australia will vary depending on the specific visa subclass you are applying under and whether you include immediate family in the visa application.
Currently, the following visa application charges apply to the main applicant for a skilled visa in Australia:
- AUD $4,115 for the Subclass 189 skilled independent visa
- AUD $4,115 for the Subclass 190 state nominated visa
- AUD $4,115 for the Subclass 491 skilled work regional (provisional) visa
- AUD $1,680 for the Subclass 485 temporary graduate visa
If you include family members in your application, they will incur additional application fees depending on their age and potentially their English language ability.
If you apply for a subclass 189, 190 or 491 visa and include family members 18 years of age and older, they will need to prove that they have at least functional English language ability. If your family members cannot prove that they have at least functional English language ability, they will need to pay a second visa application charge, the second visa application charge is currently AUD $4,890.
What is a skills assessment?
Skills assessments are mandatory if you wish to undertake any of the following visa processes / pathways:
- Subclass 189 skilled independent visa
- Subclass 190 state nominated visa
- Subclass 491 skilled work regional (provisional) visa
- Subclass 485 temporary graduate visa, under the Graduate Work stream.
Skills assessments are issued by the relevant assessing authority which governs your skilled occupation. You can confirm the relevant assessing authority for your skilled occupation by reviewing the skilled occupation list here: Skilled Occupation List.
Each assessing authority is different and will expect you to satisfy different requirements. Therefore, the requirements, costs and processing time for your skills assessment process will depend on your nominated skilled occupation.
Stone Group Lawyers can assist you in preparing and lodging skills assessment applications.
How can Stone Group Lawyer assist you?
Our experienced migration lawyers can assist you in assessing your eligibility and prospects for one of the skilled visas under Australia’s current migration program.
We work closely with you to ensure you are fully aware of the visa process and requirements from preparation stage to visa lodgement stage. We are accessible and will provide you with genuine, realistic advice to ensure you can make an informed decision about your visa application process.
The service we provide our skilled visa clients includes the following critical work:
- Reviewing your eligibility and prospects for one of the visas under the skilled visa program;
- Advising you of your visa options, strategies to pursue your visa options and risks associated with your visa options (if required);
- Advising and guiding you through the key evidence requirements for your chosen visa option, including skills assessments, English tests and other documentary requirements (if required);
- Preparing and lodging your Expression of Interest through SkillSelect;
- Preparing and lodging your state nomination application with your chosen state or territory government in Australia (if required);
- Preparing and lodging your visa application;
- Monitoring your visa application until a decision is rendered by the Department of Home Affairs (Immigration).
As an all-service law firm, we can also assist you with your other legal needs as and when required. Find out more about our other legal services here: Stone Group Lawyers Services.