Skilled Migration Visas for Professionals
The General Skilled Migration program was created to address skills shortages in Australia by providing a pathway for skilled migrants who want to live and work in Australia but do not have an Australian employer who is prepared to sponsor them for a visa. The visas under the GSM program are not employment based; it is a points-based system and can be a 2 or 3-step process depending on the visa subclass. There are permanent and temporary options available, with a temporary option providing a further pathway to residence.
Skilled Migration Visa (GSM)
The GSM is the most common way to gain residence in Australia and is subject to receiving an Invitation to Apply from the Department of Home Affairs (DHA). This points-based system can be a 2 or 3-step process depending on the visa subclass, whereby you first submit an Expression of Interest in SkillSelect. You can submit an EOI under more than one visa subclass, provided you are eligible. There are many important considerations at each stage of the process.
After you submit an EOI, the next step would be receiving an Invitation to Apply from the Department of Home Affairs if your EOI under Sc 189 (Points-Tested stream) or Sc 491 visa (Family Sponsored stream) is selected; or receiving an Invitation to Apply from one of the Australian states/territories if your EOI under Sc 190 or Sc 491 (State Nominated stream) visa is selected by that state/territory’s government. Some states allow applicants to seek their nomination directly, without waiting for the EOI to be selected by them.
The last step will be submitting a visa application within 60 days from receiving an Invitation to Apply for the relevant visa subclass.
Key Visa Options:
- Subclass 189 – Skilled Independent (Points-Tested stream)
- Subclass 190 – Skilled Nominated (State/Territory Government)
- Subclass 491 – Skilled Work Regional (State Sponsored or Family Sponsored)
- Subclass 191 – Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional)
- Employer-Sponsored: 482, 186, 494
Eligibility Notes:
- Be under 45 years of age (with limited exceptions)
- Obtain a positive skills assessment
- Meet points threshold
- Demonstrate English proficiency
- Meet health and character criteria
