Skilled visa
Since the Labor government came to power, skilled migration has been prioritised within Australia’s migration quotas. This focus was reinforced by the Australian Migration Reforms introduced by the Minister for Immigration, Ms O’Neill, in May 2023. It is clear that skilled migration will continue to be the most supported category by the Australian Government. These reforms are grounded in detailed reports on the labour market and Australia’s current economic conditions.
There are three main categories of skilled migration visas in Australia: the 189 Independent Skilled Migrant Visa, the 190 State-Sponsored Permanent Resident Visa, and the 491 Remote Area State-Sponsored Temporary Visa.
Applicants are typically international students nearing graduation in Australia, as well as individuals with relevant qualifications and work experience from overseas.
For the most up-to-date information on state-nominated occupation lists, please consult the GEIC Professional Team!
Offshore Skilled Migration Application Process
Apply for an Skill Assessment.
Submit EOI through SkillSelect system.
Receive an invitation from the Immigration Department
Submit 189 visa application
189 visa is approved, you will grant Australian Permanent residence.
Apply for an Skill Assessment.
Submit EOI through SkillSelect system.
Receive an invitation from the state government
Submit your state sponsorship application
Submit 190 visa application after approval of state sponsorship.
After 190 visa is approved, you will grant Australian Permanent residence.
Apply for an Skill Assessment.
Submit EOI through SkillSelect system.
Receive an invitation from the state government
Submit your state sponsorship application
Submit 491 visa application after approval of state sponsorship.
491 Visa approved
If you have lived in the sponsoring state for 3 years while holding a 491 visa, you can apply for a 191 State Sponsored Permanent Residence Visa.
Onshore Skilled Migration Application Process
Australian Skilled Migration is the most sought-after visa category among international students in Australia.
Upon graduation, international students are eligible for the 485 Graduate Work Visa, which allows them to stay in Australia for a period of 18 months to 6 years. Additionally, students may be eligible for a second 485 Work Visa. This visa enables graduates to remain in Australia legally while they wait to meet the required EOI (Expression of Interest) points and receive an invitation to apply for permanent residency.
GEIC Immigration Lawyer Analysis:
1） There is a defined processing period for vocational assessments and PR visa applications. However, the time between submitting an EOI (Expression of Interest) and receiving an invitation to apply can vary, depending on individual circumstances and the available quota at any given time.
2） It is important to note that if you are applying for skilled migration while onshore, you will not be granted a bridging visa while awaiting an EOI invitation. It is advisable to hold a 485 Graduate Work Visa or a Student Visa during this waiting period.
Successful cases for 485 visa
Took online classes in China during the epidemic and never applied for a 500 student visa. Graduated and applied for 485 work visa, approved on the same day.
As the expiry date of the student visa was approaching, GEIC Registered Immigration Agent urgently helped the student to compile the documents and complete the 485 visa submission, and was successfully approved for a 2-year visa.
Spouse completed an Australian university course and submitted a 485 Graduate Work Visa together, which was successfully approved.
Graduated from Australia’s top 8 universities during the epidemic and successfully approved for a 2-year 485 Graduate Work Visa.
485 new policy launched, Hong Kong students catch up with the epidemic favourable, successfully approved 5-year visa.
Completed an undergraduate degree in Australia and successfully lodged a Graduate Work Visa within 6 months and was granted a 2-year visa.
Completed a postgraduate course at one of Australia’s top eight universities and was granted a 2-year 485 Graduate Working Visa.
485 new policy launched, Hong Kong students catch up with the epidemic favourable, successfully approved 5-year visa
Successful cases for skilled visa
Shortage of medical careers, NSW 190 successfully invited
WA 491 Invited, sponsoring state critical
No hope for NSW accountants, turn to WA 190, successfully invited
No software engineer related work experience, but still help students to be invited to NSW 190
A talented student in the health industry who wanted to give up and go back to his home country several times, but finally GEIC helped him to get the invitation
Before the expiry of 485 visa, GEIC comprehensively and meticulously helped her to arrange the WA immigration programme for accountants. She was successfully invited to WA 491 invitation after finishing one semester in WA.
Applicant majoring in accounting, moved to Wollongong, in the middle of looking for a relevant job, was invited to RDA before he could find a job
Previously due to the appeal of the 500 visa refusal, has been holding bridge A visa onshore. After completing a one-year course Tasmania in 2019, the English language test was delayed to get 7 points, although there is their own small business, but because of the epidemic is also almost impossible to maintain. Finally, without 7 points IELTS, non-vacant professions, no nominated occupation related work, successfully invited Tasmania 491 visa.