Australia Migration is based on Skills. Ability (Skills) select is a key device that has made easy changes in the functioning of skilled immigration system. On 1st of July 2012, it struggles to completely change the way the Australian authorities look for immigrants. This new and ambitious immigration initiative is Aussie Labor pool insists centric and would help the authorities effectively address structural deficiencies (based on Skilled Occupation List) in country’s labor market to a great extent. Immigration authorities would now also be to control the entry of the professionals and trained workers, through skilled immigration route, as per the needs and demands of states, government agencies, domestic industries and sectors. It would also help the states and regions to locate qualified people with suitable profiles for nominations and settlement in regional parts of the country.

Now first of all, the immediate questions rise in every-one’s mind.

A. How Australia Skill Select immigration system works?

All applicants are required to lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) and score at least 65 on the innovation points test.

• Getting his skills assessed from the designated evaluation agency
• Proving English linguistic skills through appropriate language test as IELTS/PTE/OET.

The profile created will be stored on this system for a period of 2 years or till the applicant receives and invitation to file application for visa. The application will drop if the applicant is not chosen within 2 years of the filing of the EOI application. The immigration agencies, employers and the regional governments will be able access the database of the applicants opting for employer sponsored visa and state nomination. Those selected can file for immigration application.

B. Why one should have to Migrate in Australia?

Australia is fully developed nation on this planet. So there are various benefits of applying for an Australian PR Visa.

• Social Security benefits after two years of migrating.
• Full liberty to live, work and study in any Australian state and province.
• Equality between men and women.
• Earning in dollars.
• Retirement benefits.
• Healthcare benefits.
• Free education for children.
• Further option to sponsor your relatives to join you in Australia.
• Australian passport allows you to travel visa free to a number of countries.

We have 5 Skilled Visa Options

1. Skilled Independent (Sub-Class 189) Visa

Skilled Independent (Sub-Class 189) Visa is meant for the professionals and tradespersons willing to apply under independent stream of skilled immigration to Australia.This visa is available only through invite.It is a permanent work visa for individuals who have the qualifications and skills required to fill Australia's skill scarcity.The process for this visa section starts with submission of expression of interest.

Required Points:

Under Skilled Independent visa -189 applicants are required to attain a minimum of 60 points on a point assessment. The assessment is such that applicants are required to be under 50 years of age and be able established that they have a qualification and/or skills in an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL). Applicants for the Skilled Independent visa-189 do not require sponsorship.

Conditions to be Eligible:

The DIBP (Department of Immigration and Border Protection) has set detailed basic requirements that all applicants must meet in order to apply for a visa in the General Skilled Migration program.In the method of qualify for a Skilled visa, applicants or their Spousefor a skilled visa must cleared a points test. Points can be apply for in extents related to age, English language ability, specific work experience, spouse skills and other bonus categories.

From 1st of July 2012:

The skilled migration program swapped to a new online system called "SkillSelect" which will require prospective skilled migrants to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI). Once an EOI is submitted, these details can be viewed by Australian employers, state and territory governments and by the Australian Government who have the ability to extend an invitation to lodge a visa application.

There is no guarantee that submitting an EOI will result in an invitation to apply for a visa. If an invitation is received, there will be a prescribed timeframe to lodge with DIBP.

2. Skilled – Nominated (Sub-class 190) visa

Skilled – Nominated (sub-class 190) visa is for the aspirants sponsored by a state/province of Australia. It is a permanent work visa for persons who have the qualifications or skills that are needed by the Australian economy, but cannot meet the pass mark required to obtain a Skilled Nominated Visa. This category is also open to applicants who are able to satisfy the pass mark but wish to access priority processing.

The first step to avail such a visa is to create a profile on skill select platform through expression of interest – EOI. You can file EOI application with valid and positive skills assessment and required IELTS score.

Under skilled nominated visa-190, applicants are required to obtain a minimum of 60 points on a point’s assessment and must obtain nomination from a participating State or Territory government. The assessment is such that applicants are required to be under 50 years of age and be able to demonstrate that they have a qualification or the skills of an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL).

Conditions to be Eligible:

TheDIBP (Department of Immigration and Border Protection) has set particular requirements that all applicants must meet in order to apply for a visa in the General Skilled Migration program. To qualify for a skilled visa, applicants or their Spouse must be able to pass a points test. Points can be claimed in areas related to age, English language ability, specific work experience(occupation), skills, qualification, health, character, spouse skills and other bonus categories.

Required Points:

The current pass mark for the Skilled Nominated visa (Subclass 190) is 60 points. To be nominated by a State or Region government, applicants must satisfy specific criteria, as set by the particular State or Region. These may include having an occupation on the skills shortage list in that State or Territory; or demonstrating specialized skills in a particular area of that State or Region.

From 1st of July 2012:

The skilled migration program switched to a new online system called "SkillSelect" which will require prospective skilled migrants to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI). Once an EOI is submitted, these details can be viewed by Australian employers, state and territory governments and by the Australian Government who have the ability to extend an invitation to lodge a visa application.

There is no guarantee that submitting an EOI will result in an invitation to apply for a visa. If an invitation is received, there will be a prescribed timeframe within which the visa application must then be formally lodged with DIBP.

3. Skilled – Nominated or sponsored (Provisional) (Sub-class 489) visa:

Nominated or Sponsored (provisional) (Sub-Class 489) Visa is a temporary entry permission that is available on authorization of your application either by a provincial/state authority or by a qualified relative defined and deemed as eligible for sponsorship. Proceedings for this visa are initiated by creation of a profile by way of expression Of Interest – EOI on skill select platform. EOI can be created for an occupation indicated in skilled occupation list – SOL. EOI must also indicate you preference of state you wish to be nominated by or details of relative you wish to be sponsored by. This provisional work visa is for those persons who have the qualifications and skills required to address Australia's skill shortage, but cannot meet the pass mark required to obtain a Skilled Independent visa.

Conditions to be Eligible:

In order to satisfy labor market shortages, the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) has set specific basic requirements for people who are interested in applying under the Skilled Migration Stream.

To qualify for skilled migration, applicants or their spouse must be able to satisfy the basic visa requirements related to age, English language ability, occupation, skills, qualification, health and character. In addition, applicants for a Skilled Regional Sponsored visa (Subclass 489) must obtain sponsorship from a participating State or Territory government and pass a points test.

Required Points:

Points for 489 visa can be claimed in areas related to age, English language ability, specific work experience, spouse skills and other bonus categories.

The current pass mark for the Skilled Regional Sponsored visa (Subclass 489) is 60 points. Applicants must be prepared to live for two years and work for at least twelve months in a Specified Regional Area of Australia. A Skilled Regional Sponsored visa (Subclass 489) is valid for up to four years and provides a pathway to permanent residence.

To be sponsored by a relative, an applicant's relative must live in a specified regional area of Australia these are: Western Australia, Northern Territory, South Australia, Tasmania, New South Wales - everywhere except Sydney, Newcastle, the Central Coast and Wollongong; Queensland - everywhere except the greater Brisbane area and the Gold Coast; Victoria - everywhere except the Melbourne metropolitan area.

The relative be either an Australian citizen;permanent resident; oran eligible New Zealand citizen. To be nominated by a State or region government, applicants must satisfy specific criteria, as set by the particular State or Territory. These may include:having an occupation on the skills shortage list in that State or Territory; ordemonstrating specialized skills in an area of need.

From 1st of July 2012:

The skilled migration program swapped to a new online system called "SkillSelect" which will require prospective skilled migrants to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI). Once an EOI is submitted, these details can be viewed by Australian employers, state and territory governments and by the Australian Government who have the ability to extend an invitation to lodge a visa application.

There is no guarantee that submitting an EOI will result in an invitation to apply for a visa. If an invitation is received, there will be a prescribed timeframe within which the visa application must then be formally lodged with DIBP.

4. Australia Sub-class 457 visa:

Australia Subclass 457 visa is temporary entry permission for the migrants who have been sponsored by an Australian employer to work in a trade endorsed by authorities. An employer can nominate an overseas worker for trades where they are unable to source requisite expertise from local market. In the other mean it is said that it is a temporary work visa that allows employers to sponsor overseas workers to fill nominated skilled positions. The 457 visa is currently the most common pathway of business sponsorship for overseas workers.

457 visas is valid for up to four (4) years and work experience gained in Australia on this visa may lead to permanent residence either through sponsorship by an eligible employer or the skilled migration program.

Conditions to be Eligible:

In order to be eligible for a 457 visa, applicants must have an employer who is willing to sponsor them. It can be classified into three easy steps in the visa application process:

A. Sponsorship requirement

Employers must seek and obtain approval to sponsor and recruit overseas workers. Once sponsorship status is accepted, it is valid for 3 years and allows the business to nominate as many positions as required during that period.

B. Nomination is must

Employers must nominate each of the positions they wish to fill with an overseas worker. The nomination must relate to an occupation which meets a minimum skills threshold covering managerial, professional, associate professional and trade occupations. The nominated position must also be paid a minimum salary level as specified in a Gazette Notice and satisfy other basic requirements such as evidence of equivalent terms and conditions of employment.

C. Visa Application

The overseas workers identified to fill the vacancy must apply for a 457 visa to enter and remain in Australia. The applicant must express they have skills to match the nominated position and must be offered employment at not less than the salary indicated in the nomination application. The applicant is also required to satisfy certain health and character requirements to meet the 457 visa criteria.

In cases where an applicant does not have a sponsor, there is the ability to lodge an Expression of Interest through the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) SkillSelect database. This step allows prospective employers and also the state/territory governments to view applicant details and offer sponsorship.

5. Employer Nomination Scheme(Sub-class 186)

Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) (Sub-class 186) visa is for overseas workers and for migrant workers already residing in Australia on temporary visa. This is part of permanent employer nomination scheme

The ENS-186 is specifically designed to enhance Australia's ability to compete globally while satisfying genuine shortages in the Australian skilled labour market. If you are an Australian Employer looking to sponsor an overseas worker to work in Australia then there are some basic requirements:

Required Eligibility

The ENS allows overseas workers or temporary workers in Australia to be sponsored for permanent positions that the employer has been unable to fill from within the Australian labour market or through their own training efforts.

The ENS visa application process is made up of two important stages: Nomination by the employer and Visa application.

Once the nomination has been approved, the visa application must be lodged within six (6) months. The visa application must be lodged at the same Business Centre of Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) as the corresponding nomination, even if the nominee is outside Australia.

For Assessment:

To check which option is best suited for you, kindly send the following to evisavalley@gmail.com for appropriate advice.

• Your updated Resume/CV.
• Provide your partner updated Resume/CV as well.
• If applicable, please provide information on children and their age.
• Also mention you and your spouse IELTS/PTE/ French/ TOEFL score.
• Information on any immediate family member (blood relations) residing in any foreign country.

*For more details please contact our Visa Valley counselors.