How to Apply for an Australian Skilled Visa: Step-by-Step Guide

Australia is one of the top countries where the economy and opportunities are both growing at a massive scale. From excellent healthcare to prestigious educational institutions and employer-oriented regulations, there are a lot of perks for anyone wishing to move to Australia.

Plus, if you have professional skills as well, these benefits just add up more and more. This multicultural country welcomes skilled immigrants from all around the world to share a wonderful living experience and contribute to the nation’s growth.

You can secure all of this with an Australian skilled visa. But the question is, how do you get a skilled Australian visa?

Don’t worry, we are here to help you with this. Whether you aim for the Skilled Independent (Subclass 189), Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190), or Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (Subclass 491) visa, read this guide to the end to learn the step-by-step process for a smooth application. But first, what is an Australian Skilled visa?

Australian Skilled Visa Explained

The Australian Skilled Visa is a legitimate permit that allows individuals with a professional skillset to work for an Australian employer and reside in Australia.

Australia’s immigration system implements the Australian Skilled Visa to attract a skilled workforce and address the country’s labour market needs in high-demand sectors. The application for this visa is evaluated based on various factors, including occupation, skills, English proficiency, health, character, and much more.

Let’s understand the step-by-step process to apply for an Australian Skilled Visa.

Assess Eligibility Requirements

Before starting the Australian Skilled Visa application, you need to first understand whether you are really eligible for it. Go through the following list of requirements to check your eligibility and address any gaps.

• Occupation: It is a must! Your occupation needs to be on the Australian Skilled Occupation List.
• Age: You need to be under a specified age limit, which is often 45. Make sure you are under the age limit at least when you fill out your application.
• English Proficiency: You should demonstrate your fluency in English using a structured test like the PTE Academic, Cambridge (CAE), TOEFL, IELTS, etc.
• Score 65 points: You must achieve a minimum of 65 points in the points test. It is calculated from factors such as age, English proficiency, skilled work experience, and educational qualifications.

Note: The Australian Skilled Occupation List is frequently updated. Make certain to refer to the updated list when filling out your visa application.

Choose The Right Australian Skilled Visa Subclass

There is not one, but actually multiple types of Australian skilled visas. Thus, you need to choose a Visa subclass that aligns with your needs and skillset while also having the highest chance of acceptance. Here are the common types of visas that fall under the Australian Skilled Visa.

• Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent Visa): It is a points-tested stream that doesn’t require state, territory, or employer sponsorship. It is available only to invited workers whose occupations are listed on the relevant Skilled Occupation List and who have a suitable skills assessment. It allows visa holders to live and work in Australia permanently.
• Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated Visa): As its name implies, this visa requires a nomination from an Australian state or territory. Its eligibility criteria are somewhat similar to subclass 189, plus it requires nomination acceptance. Subclass 491 allows holders to live and work in Australia forever.
• Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional Provisional Visa): This visa is aimed at regional development and allows visa holders to reside in regional areas across Australia for a period of 5 years. However, it necessitates either the nomination by a state or territory or sponsorship by eligible relatives.

Skills Assessment

Once eligibility is confirmed, you must get a skill assessment from a credible authority in your nominated occupation. Further, to pass this skill assessment, you might have to:

• Meet the necessary criteria set by the assessing authority
• Submit documents regarding your qualifications, work experience, and more.
• Pay a mandatory fee.

Express Interest By Submitting EOI

Now, you need to make and submit an EOI in the SkillSelect system on the Australian government’s online immigration platform. For that, you have to:

• Choose the visa subclass you are applying for
• Complete all required details such as credentials, education, work history, skill level, etc.

After submitting the EOI, you have to wait for the Invitation to Apply (ITA).

Receive Invitation

On receiving the Invitation to Apply (ITA), you need to send in your Skilled Visa application within 60 days of receiving approval.

Note: A Subclass 190 and 491 visa applicant must go through additional steps to receive a nomination from the employer, territory, or state of Australia, depending on the visa Subclass.

Submit Visa Application

Use the provided time period to collect the following documents for lodging your online visa application:

• Legal identification documents issued by the home country, such as birth certificates and passports.
• Credentials related to your education
• Employment contracts and evidence of work experience, such as employment letters and pay stubs, etc.
• Skills assessment results
• Valid proof of English language proficiency.
• Health examination results
• Police clearance certificates

Note: A Subclass 190 and 491 visa applicant needs to provide the Transaction Reference Number (TRN) availed by the employer, state, or tertiary institution.

Pay Fees & Submit Application

After gathering all the necessary paperwork, submit your application online on the ImmiAccount portal. The processing time varies depending on several factors, including queue volume, accuracy in details, the need for additional checks, and much more.

For more information, click here.

Health & Character Checks

An Australian Skilled Visa typically demands that applicants meet the necessary standards of health as well as character.

You can complete the health examination after receiving your ITA, which must be conducted by a certified panel doctor. These results are typically only valid for 12 months. Similarly, a police clearance report must be obtained for all relevant countries. Furthermore, if the reports are not in English, they should be translated before submission.

Monitor Processing & Respond to Requests

Track the status of your skilled visa application through your ImmiAccount account. Sometimes, authorities might demand additional documentation or some clarifications; make sure to respond on time for quick visa finalisation.

Receive Decision

If granted, your visa will be electronically linked to your passport. Plus, you will receive a notification on Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) that includes:

• Conditions of the visa
• Visa grant number
• Travel Validity
• Deadlines for entries

Wrapping Up

We have walked you through the complete process to get your Australian Skilled Visa. Once the Visa is granted, you can live and work under the visa as per the mentioned conditions. For successful approval, ensure that you plan carefully, provide complete details, and complete all steps on time.

If the process sounded overwhelming to you, you can leave the stress of your Skilled visa application for Australia to Ozee Migration. Our team of skilled experts and MARA agents can assist you by assessing your eligibility, gathering documents, and even submitting the application on your behalf. Book your consultation today!