General Skilled Migration Scheme

General Skilled Migration

There are a range of visas under the General Skilled Migration (‘GSM’) program for skilled workers who want to live in Australia and who do not have an employer sponsoring them.
The GSM can be divided into two groups depending on whether you are sponsored by an Australia relative or State or Territory government:
•    Independent Skilled
•    Sponsored Skilled

To apply for an Australian General Skilled Migration visa either:

1. The occupation you nominate must be on the current Skilled Occupation List (SOL) - Schedule 1. You need to nominate a skill that fits your skills and qualifications.

OR if your occupation is not on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) – Schedule 1

2. If you can nominate an occupation on the current State and Territory Skilled Occupation List SOL (Schedule 2) you may be able to obtain sponsorship from a State or Territory if the occupation is on their State Migration Plan.

The type of visa for which you are eligible depends on where you are at the time of applying for the visa:
1.    If you are in Australia – the onshore program is mainly for overseas students with Australian qualifications obtained here. Visa options are:
•    Skilled - Independent (Subclass 885)
•    Skilled - Sponsored (Subclass 886)
•    Skilled - Regional (Subclass 887)
•    Skilled - Graduate (Subclass 485)
•    Skilled - Regional Sponsored (Subclass 487)
2.    If you are outside Australia – the offshore program is for people living outside Australia with skills that are in demand in Australia. Visa options are:
•    Skilled - Independent (Subclass 175)
•    Skilled - Sponsored (Subclass 176)
•    Skilled - Regional Sponsored (Subclass 475)
•    Skilled - Recognised Graduate (Subclass 476)
3.    If you are a New Zealand Citizen – you may apply for any of the offshore categories listed immediately above
In general, the requirements which must be satisfied for all GSM visas are:
•    You must be under 50 years of age at the time of application,
•    You must have a good English language ability,
•    Your occupation must be on the Skilled Occupation List,
•    Prior to applying, you must have a Skills Assessment completed by the relevant external assessing authority; and
•    You must have recent skilled work experience or have recently completed an Australian qualification as the result of two (2) years full-time study in Australia.

Some GSM visas also require that applicants meet a certain number of points in the points test.  This test awards points to migrants based their age, skills, qualifications, English language, ability and employability. The aim of the points test is to identify qualities in migrants which will benefit Australia, and the government requires different factors depending on the visa category.
Generally, the points requirements are lower for migrants who are sponsored by an Australian relative or State or Territory government