Australia Immigration

Migrating To Australia Under Skills Visa Categories

Details of Visa Subclasses

Migrating to Australia under Skills categories; Normally subject to a formal qualification and a certain amount of relevant work experience.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS....

SKILLED - Independent (Subclass 175)....

SKILLED - Sponsored (Subclass 176)....

SKILLED - Reginal Sponsored (Subclass 475)....

GENERAL SKILLED MIGRATION PROGRAM

The Skill Stream of the Migration Program is designed to enhance and strengthen the Australian economy by giving skilled people Australian permanent residence.

Skilled visas target well qualified people under 50 years of age, with good English language skills. For most but not all visas in this category, applicants must pass a points test.

There are a number of visas available under the general skilled migration category, and we provide details of some of the most popular below.

Before embarking on an Australia immigration application, you must meet certain basic criteria.

 

BASIC REQUIREMENTS:

Age - you must be under 50 years of age at the date of application.
English language - you must have sufficient ability in the English language. Although British passport holders are on a list of exempt from mandatory English testing, most applicants will require either 10 or 20 points from this element to reach the required pass marks. Contact us for detailed information.
Qualifications - you are required to have a post-secondary qualification (either university or a trade) and your skill must have been assessed by the relevant assessing authority in Australia. A valid positive skills assessment is required to lodge a visa application. Call us for detailed information.
Nominated occupation - when you apply you will need to nominate an occupation fitting your skills and qualifications. This occupation must be on one of the Skilled Occupations Lists -

SOL

Schedule 4

Recent work experience - you must have worked in an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List for at least 12 out of the last 24 months or have recently completed an Australian qualification as the result of two years full-time study in Australia.

 

THE SKILLS ASSESSMENT:

Whether you are seeking a Temporary Work visa (457) or Permanent Immigration under the Skilled Migration Program, you will need to have your skills assessed as being up to the standard required of somebody in the nominated occupation in Australia.

The Skilled Occupation List (SOL), lists the occupations that applicants may under and the nominated Skills Assessing Authority. Each Authority has it’s own individual process that must be met by applicants and charge a fee for processing the assessment. Rather like a tax return, it is important that this done correctly the first time, as information needs to be seen in the best light possible. Information can’t be retracted and only via a review (at a further cost) can information be added.

Many applicants ruin their attempt to gain a visa to Australia at this early stage. If done correctly, a positive assessment can lead to either State Nomination or the submission of a visa application with the Department of Immigration.

To find out more about your occupation and how you are likely to fare should you
submit an application, contact us now. Contact us for detailed information.

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ENGLISH LANGUAGE TESTING – Australian Skilled Visa:

Since the July 2011 policy changes, the International English Language Testing System has become a major feature for the Australian Skilled Visa process, even forUK born applicants.

The current pass mark of 65 points includes a massive contribution of up to 20 points from English Language skills.

Why? Experience shows that the better an Australian immigrant’s English Language skills are, the more likely they are to find employment relevant to their skill set. The IELTS testing process is both demanding and stressful, but a huge opportunity to native English speakers! If only they did some homework first!!

To gain points, a particular score has to be achieved in each of the test components – Reading, Writing, Listening & Speaking. Scoring above the required mark in 3 out of 4 components is not good enough – all 4 marks must be met or exceeded.

Tests can be re-taken, but at a cost (currently £115) each time. A remark costs currently £60, but takes 12 weeks to apply, whereas it is just 4 weeks on average to book a test & take it again.

With proper preparation, this is the best opportunity a UK based English speaker has been offered by the Australian Immigration Service in years! Just think…20 out of 65 points going begging.

We have a range of help tools available to ensure that with some time and effort you take full advantage of this high point-scoring element of the visa process. Contact us today to find out more!

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STATE / TERRITORY NOMINATION:

Once your skill assessment has been successful and you have the document to prove it, then it is time to consider applying for State or Territory Nomination.

This process is aimed at delivering migrants with a particular skill-set that is in demand in a particular region of Australia.

For many years, Australian migrants had the luxury of selecting where in Australia they would live upon arrival. This has led to an imbalance of skills in some regions and inflated property values. To address this, the Australian Immigration Department has devised a State Nomination program to encourage immigrants to consider less popular destinations.

The benefit to the applicant is a quicker overall process and the support of a State government who are actively seeking people with the skill-sets that they have identified. This enhances the potential for a smoother visa application and also finding suitable employment fast on arrival.

Each Australian State publishes a list of occupations identified as possessing a skill shortage and specifies the extra criteria required in addition to the return of a positive skill assessment: (eg; IELTS Level 7 or 5 years experience in a specific range of tasks).

The obligation upon the migrant is to remain in the nominating State or Territory for a< period of 2 years after arrival. Then, if you choose, you may relocate to your destination of first choice within Australia.

We strongly advise applicants to consider this process in a more competitive environment, both for visas and for jobs. Call us to discuss this option in greater detail and how it can help you.

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AUSTRALIAN SKILLED VISA APPLICATION PROCESS:

Last, but most important, the visa application must be submitted. The lodgement process is regulated under Australian law and compliance with the immigration regulations is mandatory for all applicants.

An applicant for a skilled visa must be under 50 years of age on the date of lodgement and have a valid, positive assessment of skills from the nominated assessing authority. Proof of work experience, outlining duration and the spectrum of tasks performed by the applicant is also required.

If necessary, a valid IELTS test result document must be submitted and a valid official State/Territory Nomination grant form.

Finally, comprehensive medical examinations are required for every applicant. Police Clearance documents must be submitted for all applicants over 17 years of age. The evidence submitted may not be retracted and only limited opportunity to address shortcomings are offered to applicants, in terms of regulations. It is important to get the evidence right, submitted within deadlines and to structure the application properly to avoid stress and disappointment later.

There are significant fees for submitting a skilled visa application, as there are for the skill assessment, IELTS test & in some cases, State Nomination. However, the real risk to every applicant, is the potential for loss, through making badly timed or thought-through decisions. These can prove extremely costly, both financially and emotionally. When to sell your house or business? When to validate your visa? When to ship your belongings? Is it really worth the risk?

Get Going UK Ltd. charge low fees and offer a structured payment plan to assist clients. In good hands, your application will prove far less stressful, with you safe in the knowledge that it will be submitted to maximise your potential for being granted a visa. A quicker, better process that won’t break the bank! Call us today for more details and a free assessment of your profile.

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WORK VISA:

Sadly, it is not possible to apply for a job in Australia without going through a process to justify why an overseas-based applicant should be allowed entry to work there. There are several types of Temporary & Permanent Work visa subclasses. These include working holiday visas. The 2 most common Australian work visas for offshore applicants are the 457 Temporary Work Visa and the 121 Permanent Employer Nomination Visa.

In general, work visas may be granted where an Australian employer can’t find somebody already in Australia to employ for a specific task. They must prove that they have gone to reasonable lengths to find an Australian resident to be granted the opportunity to employ an overseas person. (An exception to this is where holders of Working Holiday visas may be employed for short-term contracts of less than 6 months.)

Most skilled trades require an Assessment of Skills for the applicant prior to being able to apply for a job in Australia. Without this being undertaken the visa will not be granted.

The visa process requires the Australian company wishing to employ the overseas applicant to first submit an application to sponsor the candidate to DIAC and the potential employee submitting a visa application.

Generally, the employer will not be allowed to offer an overseas candidate a job if they can find skilled people locally.

457 are usually easier to obtain than 121 visas, as they are temporary visas and DIAC seek greater persuasion to believe that the applicant is needed on a permanent basis. The greater evidence that the candidate’s skills are in short supply regionally will often influence the application.

Applicants will often have to undergo medical examinations & Police Clearance as part of the process.

It is important to put forward a well-documented, structured application to gain the visa in the shortest time possible, especially as the employer is usually exerting pressure on the applicant to get there ASAP! Call us for more information on Australian Work Visas.

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SKILLED - Independent (subclass 175)

If you are a qualified professional or tradesperson and have at least one years work experience that will benefit the Australian economy, but do not have a sponsor in Australia you will be able to apply under this category.

In addition to meeting the basic requirements, you are also required to pass a points test with points being awarded for skill, age, English language ability and specific work experience, occupation in demand, Australian qualifications and spouse skills, Australian skilled work experience and fluency in one of Australia's major community languages.

The passmark for this particular visa category is 65 points.

 

SKILLED - Sponsored (subclass 176)

As with the subclass 175 skilled - Independent visa, this visa is also designed for highly skilled and experienced people intending to migrate to Australia on a permanent residency visa. You need to meet the basic requirements for a visa application in addition to meeting the pass mark on the points test.

The fundamental difference between the subclass 175 and subclass 176 visa is that in the case of the latter you would need to be sponsored either by an eligible close relative in Australia OR to be nominated by an Australian State / Territory Government agency. Certain States / Territories are prepared to offer nominations to individuals who have skills and experience in occupations that are in particular demand in that State / Territory.

Territory Lists -

Australian Capitol Territory (ACT) New South Wales - Regional
New South Wales Northern Territories Queensland
South Australia State Tasmania Victoria StateWestern Australia

The passmark for this visa category is 65 points.

 

SKILLED - Regional Sponsored (subclass 475)

Unlike the two visas mentioned above, this is a temporary residency visa.

In order to qualify for this visa you will need to meet the basic criteria and achieve the necessary points on the points test. However, under this particular visa category extensive points are awarded if you are sponsored by a close relative or nominated by a State / Territory government agency.

The proviso for family sponsorship under this visa category is that your relative usually resides in a designated area of Australia.

The visa is valid for 3 years, 2 of which you will need to live and work in the sponsoring State, or the same State in which the sponsoring relative lives. Once these conditions have been met you may apply for permanent residency.

Territory Lists -

Australian Capitol Territory (ACT) New South Wales - Regional
New South Wales Northern Territories Queensland
South Australia State Tasmania Victoria StateWestern Australia

The passmark for this visa category is 65 points.

These visa categories normally require a formal qualification or equivalence to a formal qualification and a certain amount of relevant work experience. More and more, these visas are being prioritised according to particular shortages of skills in destination countries. The global recession has increased the pressure on governments to protect the employment rights of existing citizens and residents and accordingly, one must expect constant changes in skill shortage lists as data is produced to reflect the current state of world economies. It is more important than ever to be in a position to respond to these changes quickly and using Get Going UK Ltd. as your Australia Migration Agent will ensure you are taking advantage of changes in immigration policy and quotas.

 

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