In this article
Important updates to our Australian emigration services
We have withdrawn our Australian emigration legal services as of April 2024 and are unable to assist with enquiries or advice about moving to Australia.
This information remains accessible to aid anyone wishing to make the move to Australia, however please note that this information was last updated in August 2023.
Emigrate to Australia is a London-based Australian emigration service who may be able to assist with any enquiries, however please note that we do not endorse any one provider's services. They can be contacted on 020 7427 5290.
Skilled Migration Visas for Australia are incredibly limited and well sought after. 2022 saw only 79,600 visas of this type available for oversea workers. Whilst the number of places have risen in 2023, the contest remains high and it’s imperative that you understand the correct way to apply for these visas.
In this article, we’ll explore the most popular skilled migration visas and provide insights into how a person from the UK can apply for them. We’ll also be covering the intricacies of the application system, specifically for those applying as a skilled worker.
Part 4 in our Moving to Australia series
Part 3: Australian Visas for UK Citizens
Part 5: Family visa Australia
How do points affect Skilled Migration Visas?
All skilled migration visas are point-based, meaning applicants must pass a test in order to succeed. This test measures things like:
- Age
- English proficiency
- Work experience in Australia and overseas
- Education and Qualifications
To find out more on this system, visit our Australia Point System blog.
The Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189)
The Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189) is a type of visa for skilled workers who want to live and work permanently in Australia. This visa is specifically for individuals who have skills and experience in occupations that are in demand in Australia. For a breakdown of all jobs on this list, visit our Skilled Migration application blog.
One of the advantages of the Skilled Independent Visa is that it provides the holder with permanent residency in Australia. This can lead to citizenship if you fulfil certain requirements later down the line.
Application costs for this visa start from roughly £2,360. The average processing time takes around 3 months.
The Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190)
The Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190) is like the Skilled Independent Visa in most ways. However, it instead requires an Australian state or territory government to nominate the applicant. It also requires the applicant to have an occupation that is in demand in the nominating state or territory.
This visa also provides the holder with permanent residency in Australia. Akin to the Skilled Independent Visa, this can later lead to permanent residence. However, similarly again, it can be a competitive visa to obtain as numbers are quite limited.
Application costs for this visa start from roughly £2,360. The average processing time takes between 18 to 36 months.
The Australian Immigration Experts
Our Australian emigration team are:
- Registered with the Australian government
- Dual-qualified in Australian and British law
- Experts in visa appeals and complex applications
The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (subclass 491)
The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (subclass 491) is a relatively new skilled migration visa. This visa requires the applicant to have an occupation that is in demand in a regional area and to pass a skills assessment. This occupation must be on the relevant state or territory’s Skilled Occupation List.
To be eligible for this visa, you must also receive either a:
- Nomination from an Australian state or territory government, or;
- Sponsorship from an eligible family member living in a designated regional area
One of the advantages of the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa is that it allows the holder to live and work in Australia for up to 5 years. After 3 years of living and working in a regional area, the holder may be eligible to apply for permanent residency through the subclass 191 visa.
It’s important to note that the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa is a temporary visa. The holder must meet certain requirements to be eligible for permanent residency. These requirements include:
- Living and working in a designated regional area for at least three years
- Meeting the minimum income threshold.
The eligibility requirements for this visa can change over time. It’s important to stay up-to-date as changes can affect current visa holders.
Application costs for this visa start from roughly £2,360. The average processing time takes between 28-30 months.
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The Employer Nomination Scheme
(subclass 186)
The Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) is a skilled migration visa for workers who have an employer sponsor in Australia. It requires the applicant to have a job offer from an Australian employer in a position that is in demand in Australia. The visa splits into three streams, all of which have different requirements:
Temporary Residence Transition stream
- You must hold a Temporary Skilled Shortage Visa (subclass 482) or Temporary Work (Skilled) Visa (subclass 457).
- Alternatively, if within Australia, you could hold a Bridging Visa instead.
- Typically, you must have been working for your employer for at least 3 years
- You must receive a nomination from your employer
Direct Entry stream
- Your occupation must be on the skilled occupation list to be eligible
- You must receive a nomination from your employer
Labour Agreement stream
- Your employer must have a labour agreement. This allows businesses to sponsor overseas workers
- You may need to complete a skills assessment.
For all streams, the applicant must have the necessary qualifications and work experience. The employer must also meet certain requirements. These include:
- Demonstrating a genuine need for the position
- Providing evidence that they have attempted to fill the position with an Australian worker.
All streams provide the holder with permanent residency in Australia. It also allows the holder to work for the sponsoring employer for an indefinite period.
Application costs for this scheme start from roughly £2,360. This scheme takes typically between 9-18 months to process, depending entirely on the stream you choose.
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How do I apply for a Skilled Migration Visa?
Once you have identified the correct Skilled Migration Visa for you, you must complete the following steps:
- If neccesary, check to see if your job is on the skilled occupation list
- Check your eligiblity on the points-based system
- Submit an expression of interest (EOI) to SkillSelect
- Upon receiving an invitation, gather the required documents
- Apply for your chosen visa within 60 days
To maximise your chances of success, we highly recommend consulting an experienced immigration solicitor when it comes to applying for your Skilled Migration Visa.
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