Work Visas
Australia offers pathways to permanent residency for applicants and their families if they can bring in skills in occupations where there is a shortage of workers in Australia. They publish this information in ‘Skilled Occupation Lists’, however there are many different lists and they get updated regularly so it can be a very confusing process of applying for a working visa to Australia.
We understand all the different requirements across all the states of Australia and we will know how to present your application to give you best chance of success. Our team will assess your skills and guide you through the entire process while we will keep track of all the changes in Australia’s immigration system. This means if new possibilities emerge that can improve your chances of success or get you exactly where you want to be, we can update how your case is handled.
It is important to note that these types of visas are highly competitive and applicants must demonstrate that they have the qualification, experience, English Language ability and health insurance required for their visa subclass.
Skilled Occupation Lists
The Skilled Occupation Lists consist of eligible occupations that the Australian Government has identified as being in high demand. These lists are used to determine which visa you should apply for and to assess your eligibility.
In Australia there are currently three main lists; the Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), the Short Term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL), and the Regional Occupations List (ROL).
In addition to these, there are 12 DAMA regions and each of these have their own lists. These lists allow specific regions to attract workers to fill specific shortages in their own labour market.
Getting Nomination
Most of the Skilled Work Visas available require applicants to obtain nomination to support the application. Generally speaking, this can come from one of three places:
- Australian State Government
- Authorized Employer
- Family Members in Australia
Your particular skills will affect which visa subclass you will apply for and this will determine if you require nomination from an Australian State Government, an Authorized Employer or even a family member living in Australia.
The Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190) is Australia’s most popular permanent residency visa. It is designed for applicants with skills and qualifications in an occupation on Australia’s Skilled Occupation List, who have been nominated by a state or territory government.
Applicants must be aged between 18 and 45 years old and must score at least 65 points on Australia’s immigration point system. Applicants can also include their imminent family members in Australia, such as a partner or dependent child, who will be able to work and study in Australia with them.
Once the visa is granted, applicants are entitled to unlimited travel in Australia for five years, with the possibility to apply for Australian citizenship after four years. Visa holders can also access Australia’s public health care system – Medicare and have full working rights.
The Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) is an Australia’s visa for people with professional and other highly skilled qualifications in occupations that Australia currently needs. It is a permanent residency visa that allows the applicant to live and work anywhere in Australia.
Applicants must be aged between 18 and 45 years old and must score at least 65 points on Australia’s immigration point system, as well as meet additional requirements such as language proficiency and valid health insurance cover. Applicants can also include their imminent family members in Australia, such as a partner or dependent child, who will be able to work and study in Australia with them.
Once the visa is granted, applicants are entitled to unlimited travel in Australia for five years, with the possibility to apply for Australian citizenship after four years. Visa holders can also access Australia’s public health care system – Medicare and have full working rights.
The Skilled Independent Visa may also include parents or other family members who meet certain criteria, such as the biological or adoptive parents of a child that is an Australian citizen, Australia permanent resident or an eligible New Zealand Citizen. However, applicants for this visa must submit a “assurance of support” confirming they have enough funds to support their family member if they need it.
The Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491) is Australia’s most popular visa for people looking to move and work in a regional area of Australia. It is designed for applicants with skills and qualifications in an occupation on Australia’s Skilled Occupation List, who have been nominated by either a state or territory government, or an employer in Australia.
Applicants must be aged between 18 and 45 years old and must score at least 65 points on Australia’s immigration point system. They must also live and work in a designated regional area of Australia for 3 years, with the possibility to extend the visa up to 5 years if they meet certain requirements.
Once the visa is granted, applicants will be able to live and work in Australia permanently, with the possibility to apply for Australian citizenship after four years. Visa holders can also access Australia’s public health care system – Medicare and have full working rights.
The Skilled Work Regional Visa may also include parents or other family members who meet certain criteria, such as the biological or adoptive parents of a child that is an Australian citizen, Australia permanent resident or an eligible New Zealand Citizen. However, applicants for this visa must submit a “assurance of support” confirming they have enough funds to support their family member if they need it.
The Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa (Subclass 494) is Australia’s visa for employers who are looking to recruit and sponsor skilled workers from overseas. It is designed for applicants with skills and qualifications in an occupation on Australia’s Skilled Occupation List, who have been nominated by an employer in Australia.
Applicants must be aged between 18 and 45 years old and must score at least 65 points on Australia’s immigration point system. They must also live and work in a designated regional area of Australia for 3 years, with the possibility to extend the visa up to 5 years if they meet certain requirements.
Once the visa is granted, applicants will be able to live and work in Australia permanently, with the possibility to apply for Australian citizenship after four years. Visa holders can also access Australia’s public health care system – Medicare and have full working rights.
The Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa may also include parents or other family members who meet certain criteria, such as the biological or adoptive parents of a child that is an Australian citizen, Australia permanent resident or an eligible New Zealand Citizen. However, applicants for this visa must submit a “assurance of support” confirming they have enough funds to support their family member if they need it.
The Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) is Australia’s visa for those who want to live and work in Australia’s designated regional areas. This type of visa is designed for applicants with skills and qualifications in an occupation on Australia’s Skilled Occupation List, who have been nominated by a state or territory government or an employer located in a designated area.
Applicants must be aged between 18 and 45 years old and must score at least 65 points on Australia’s immigration point system. They must also live and work in a designated regional area of Australia for 3 years, with the possibility to extend the visa up to 5 years if they certain requirements. Once the visa is granted, applicants will be able to live and work in Australia permanently, with the possibility to apply for Australian citizenship after four years. Visa holders can also access Australia’s public health care system – Medicare and have full working rights.
The Designated Area Migration Agreement may also include parents or other family members who meet certain criteria, such as the biological or adoptive parents of a child that is an Australian citizen, Australia permanent resident or an eligible New Zealand Citizen. However, applicants for this visa must submit a “assurance of support” confirming they have enough funds to support their family member if they need it.