Skilled Visa

A skilled visa is for skilled migrants who do not necessarily have employment, or an offer of employment, with an Australian employer.

If you are applying for a subclass 189 visa, then you will need to take the following steps:

  1. Submit an Expression of Interest (‘EOI’) via SkillSelect. 
  2. If you receive an invitation from immigration to apply for a 189 visa, submit your visa application within 60 days of receiving this invitation.

For subclass 491 and 190 visas, there is an additional step to the ones listed above. This process involves:

  1. Submitting an Expression of Interest (‘EOI’) via SkillSelect. 
  2. Submitting a nomination application to the Australian State or Territory that you want to live and work in.
  3. Submitting your visa application.

Please note that if you are applying for a 491 visa it is sometimes possible to be sponsored by an eligible family member. Being sponsored by an eligible family member for a 491 visa allows you to bypass the nomination stage mentioned above (more on this below).  

There are three visas available under the skilled visa program, the subclass 491 temporary regional skilled visa, the subclass 189 permanent independent skilled visa and the subclass 190 permanent nominated skilled visa.

Skilled Work Regional (491 Visa)

The subclass 491 visa is a temporary regional skilled visa. As with the 494 visa, it is possible to transition from a 491 visa to a permanent skilled visa after 3 years. You must live and work in a regional area to be eligible for this visa. A regional area is defined as anywhere outside of Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, or Perth.

If you are interested in applying for a 491 visa you will need to demonstrate that you meet the following minimum eligibility criteria.

  1. You have nominated an occupation that is on the 491 Skilled Occupation List.
  2. You are under the age of 45.
  3. You have a positive skills assessment for your nominated occupation.
  4. You have competent English language abilities.
  5. You have at least 65 points.

Let us assess your eligibility for a 491 visa

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Skilled Independent (189 Visa)

The 189 visa is also a permanent skilled visa. The major difference between the 189 visa and the 190 visa is that you do not need to obtain a nomination from an Australian State or Territory to be eligible to receive a 189 visa.

You will need to demonstrate that you meet the following criteria to be eligible for a 189 visa:

  1. You have nominated an occupation that is on the 189 Skilled Occupation List.
  2. You are under the age of 45.
  3. You have a positive skills assessment for your nominated occupation.
  4. You have competent English language abilities.
  5. You have at least 65 points.

Let us assess your eligibility for a 189 visa

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Skilled Nominated (190 Visa)

This is a permanent skilled visa that requires you to obtain a nomination from the Australian State or Territory that you will live and work in. Unlike the 491 visa, you cannot be sponsored by an eligible family member to bypass the nomination stage. You are also not restricted to living and working in a regional area. However, you will be required to live and work in the State or Territory that provides you with a nomination. 

The minimum eligibility criteria for a 190 visa are:

  1. You have nominated an occupation that is on the 190 Skilled Occupation List.
  2. You are under the age of 45.
  3. You have a positive skills assessment for your nominated occupation.
  4. You have competent English language abilities.
  5. You have at least 65 points.

Let us assess your eligibility for a 190 visa

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Disclaimer:

Please note that the information contained on this page is subject to change without notice and that Skills Migration has no control over when, or how, this information may be changed. Furthermore, the criteria published on this website is not intended as an exhaustive list. There are other visa criteria that you would need to satisfy in addition the ones listed above to be eligible for the visas mentioned on this page. The information displayed on this page should not be substituted for professional immigration advice provided by a registered migration agent. Skills Migration cannot be held liable for any damages or losses you may incur as a result of relying on the information provided on this page
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