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Visa Options – If you are outside Australia

Skilled – Independent (Migrant) Visa (Subclass 175)

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

Skilled – Sponsored (Migrant) Visa (Subclass 176)

A permanent visa for people unable to meet the Skilled – Independent requirements. Applicants 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.

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

A three year provisional visa. Applicants must be either sponsored by an eligible relative living in a designated area of Australia or nominated by a participating state/territory government. After living 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.

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

An 18 month temporary visa for graduates of recognised overseas educational institutions who have skills in demand in Australia. There is no points test for this visa.

If you are a New Zealand Citizen

New Zealand citizens should apply for an offshore General Skilled Migration visa, regardless of whether they are in or outside Australia.

They may apply for the following subclasses:

  •     Skilled – Independent (Migrant) Visa (Subclass 175)
  •     Skilled – Sponsored (Migrant) Visa (Subclass 176)
  •     Skilled – Regional Sponsored (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 475)
  •     Skilled – Recognised Graduate (Temporary) Visa (Subclass 476)

New Zealand citizens must obtain a skills assessment before applying for General Skilled Migration regardless of whether they are able to obtain registration in their nominated occupation in Australia. The skills assessment must be provided by the approved assessing body for their nominated skilled occupation.

See: Australian Skills Recognition Information

New Zealand citizens who are Special Category Visa (subclass 444) holders and any accompanying secondary applicants will be eligible to apply for and be granted an offshore General Skilled Migration visa while they are in Australia.

Under all categories you must pass the points test to qualify for a visa. The points test takes into account the following list:-

  • Skills - Points are awarded under the Skilled Occupation List (SOL), Sydney and Selected Areas Skill Shortage List (SSASSL) – refer to your specific occupation below
  • Age
  • English
  • Specific work experience
  • Occupation in demand/Job offer – - if your occupation is on the list it provides you with 20 points if you already have an offer of full-time employment in Australia, or 15 points if you do not have a job offer. Refer your specific occupation below. IMPORTANT – it is still possible to achieve the points required without being on the MODL list.
  • Australian qualifications
  • Regional Australia/Low population growth metropolitan area
  • Spouse skills
  • Bonus points

You can assess your points by completing the Self Assessment at:-

http://www.immi.gov.au/e_visa/general-skilled-migration.htm#f - as you can see it refers to the Skilled – Independent (subclass 175) visa, which has the highest standard of all General Skilled type visas available.