Australia’s General Skilled Migration (GSM) program, also known as the points tested visas, offers three options for skilled workers. The Skilled – Independent Visa (189), Skilled – Nominated Visa (190) and Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (491). The 189 and 190 visas are permanent visas whereas the 491 visa is a temporary visa that can lead to a permanent visa after 3-4 years.
The program also includes the Temporary Graduate (485) visa that allows full work rights to overseas students who have successfully completed their study in Australia.
Click on the relevant visa below for more details on requirements and fees including Assure Visa fees.
Skilled – Independent Visa (189)
This visa is for you if you are a skilled professional, your occupation is on the relevant list, you have a positive skills assessment for that occupation and you meet the minimum points score of 65. Your profile must also be competitive enough to get an invitation from Skill Select.
Skilled – Nominated Visa (190)
This visa is for you if you are a skilled professional, your occupation on the relevant list, you have a positive skills assessment for that occupation and you meet the minimum points score of 65. You will also need a nomination from an Australian State or Territory that has a demand for your occupation.
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (491)
This visa is for you if you are able to meet the threshold requirements for the visa 189 or 190 but your profile is not competitive enough to get an invite from Skill Select or a nomination from an Australian State or Territory. This visa may also be your only option if your occupation is only open for the 491 visa.
It is a temporary visa that can convert later (by application) to the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) (191) visas after 3-4 years.
Temporary Graduate (485)
This visa is for you if you have recently completed an eligible study in Australia on a student visa and need further stay in Australia to become eligible for, and apply for one of the points tested visas.
It is a temporary visa that offers full work rights. The validity of this visa will depend on the type of course you have completed in Australia.
Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) (191)
You may be eligible for this permanent visa if you were granted the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (491) visa and have been living and working in a designated regional area for at least three years.
Frequently asked questions – Skilled Visas
The occupation you nominate for the visa process will depend on your qualification and your work experience. The Australian standard for determining nominated occupations is known as the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations ( ANZSCO)
Currently there are two lists that must be checked to ensure that your occupation is on one of the lists. The check can be done via a search facility available at the Department of Home Affairs website. If the results list at least one of visas 189, 190 or 491, then you will be eligible to apply.
A skills assessment is generally the first, and the most important step in the migration process. This assessment is done by a body that specialises in the field under which you have nominated your occupation. Each assessing body will have its own application process, associated fee and processing times.
It is possible to marry while your skilled visa is being processed, however, there can be adverse consequences in some instances.
Yes. If you were in a relationship at the time of receiving the invitation to apply for one of the above visas then you can add your partner and children to the application. You can add them even if you are in Australia and they are overseas.
If you separate from your partner during processing, you must inform Home Affairs immediately through ImmiAccount. As you partner also has an active visa application, this will need to be withdrawn as they will no longer be eligible to migrate with you as a member of your family. If your partner is in Australia at the time of separation, they should seek professional advice.
There are provisions for adding a baby to the application but this depends on the processing stage of your application. The provisions are different for adding a baby born before application lodgment, born during processing or born after visa grant.