Skilled Visa

Introduction

We appreciate that Australia is more than a destination; it is an ecosystem that connects opportunities to talent. For many professionals and their families across industry sectors in many countries, a Skilled visa for Australia is a bridge to permanent residency, employment opportunities, and a work-life balance with renewed earning potential in a professional field. 

The General Skilled Migration Scheme is vital to attract international talent to Australia, especially in sectors that are growing in demand like healthcare, engineering, Information technology, and construction. Visa subclass 189, 190 and 491 comes under GSM scheme. The complexity lies in navigating the numerous paths, processes, and eligibility and points tests that can put you on the path to your Australian future or put it on hold. 

Skilled Visas
Benefits

Benefits & Rights

  • Live, Recruit, & Educate in Australia: General Skilled Migration (GSM) visa allows you to live, work, and study in Australia indefinitely. You will also have autonomy and flexibility in choosing your role and location across sectors and industries.
  • Medicare: After your visa is granted, you can access Australia’s universal health system - Medicare - giving you the advantage of affordable medical care.
  • Sponsorship of Family Members: Holders of a GSM visa can sponsor family members of their family unit to come to Australia. This can include a Child Visa Australia, under the eligible family-stream visa categories.
  • Employment and Real Estate: Holders of a skilled visa have the freedom to change employers and can purchase property in Australia with no additional approval process.
Subclasses

Visa Subclasses

A skilled Australia visa permits employment in Australia with prior approval. The Australian Skilled visa program has following key subclasses:

  • Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent Visa): No sponsorship/nomination is necessary. This is good for highly skilled applicants who have scored highly on the points test.
  • Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated Visa): This visa needs Territory or State nomination and is for candidates with professions that may be in demand in that area.
  • Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa): This visa is for those candidates who are ready to live and work in the targeted regional areas for 5 years. After that, they may be eligible for Permanent residency.

Each subclass addresses workforce shortages in various areas in a major way, while allowing immigrants some flexibility, which is depending on their career paths. 

Requirements

Requirements

To be eligible for a Skilled Australia visa, an applicant has to meet many requirements, each one fairly prescriptive:

  • Occupation list: The applicant's occupation must be an 'eligible' occupation discussed in their subclass and linked appropriately to that occupation.
  • Points Test: Candidates will need to get 65 points on age, qualifications, English language ability, work experience, and other criteria.
  • Age Requirement: While applying, you should be younger than 45 years of age.
  • English Skills: Candidates should have proof of their ability in English
  • Skills Assessment: Candidates should have a positive skills assessment from the relevant examining authority for their profession.
  • Health and Character: All included family members must meet the health and character requirements of Australia
  • Sponsorship/nomination: Beneath subclasses, you will need to be nominated by a territory or state, or have a relative sponsor you.

The initial General Skilled Migration visa requirements are more than just a bunch of pieces of paper, as it is about representing your potential to contribute to the exciting workforce in Australia.

Process

Time and Cost

Processing Time

Processing Time

In 2025, Skilled Visa applications in Australia typically take 8 to 18 months to process, depending on the visa stream of each specific case. In addition to all the considerations of processing, applicants should also take into account the visa application costs and any associated costs like medicals and skills assessment.

Processing Cost

Processing Cost

The visa application fees are:

  • The visa application charge: around AUD 4,910.
  • Skills examination: around AUD 1,285 to 1,450.
  • Health examination: around AUD 400 for adults and AUD 350 for children.
  • English Test: Approx. AUD 350.
  • Police Certificates: Fees vary by country.
Apply

How to Apply

The business visa application involves a number of steps that have to be carried out in an organized manner in order to ensure that the process is successful and the applicant is issued their visa. The process can be broken down into several processes:

  • Check eligibility:

    Check eligibility:-
    Consider the Skilled Profession List, age, English language, and the points of requirements.

  • Gathered Required Documents:

    Gathered Required Documents:-
    Get a positive skills assessment from the relevant skills assessing authority. Also, you will be required to show, Passport, income proof, identity proof, and Police certificate.

  • Submit Visa application:

    Submit Visa application:-
    Lodge your visa application via the online process and submit documentation like skills assessments, employment records, health assessments, and police character assessments.

  • Visa Outcome:

    Visa Outcome:-
    Wait for a conclusion, and if you get a successful outcome, you will either be granted permanent residency or a provisional pathway.

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FAQ’s

Frequently Asked Questions

Visa FAQ

If you do qualify without sponsorship, then subclass 189 provides total independence, and if you do not qualify, then you may be required to choose subclass 190 or 491 if you can obtain a nomination or if it supports a regional application.

All you need is a minimum of 65 points to apply, but generally, the best candidates will have scores of 80 and above in 2025.

Yes, you can include a partner and dependent children, and later sponsor them with categories like the Child visa Australia.

Yes, subclass 491 is a provisional visa and will still permit access to permanent residency provided you live and work in a regional area for a required time.

Yes, whilst there are a number of accepted tests, including IELTS, PTE Academic, and TOEFL, results must meet the minimum required for each subclass.

Unfortunately, unless registered with the General Skilled Migration visa stream an applicant over 45 will be unable to apply; however, alternative methods may be possible.

Not for the independent or state-nominated visa categories. Yes, for any other pathway other than GSM.

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