General Skilled Migration - Your Pathway to PR

General Skilled Migration

General Skilled Migration (GSM) visa is primarily meant for skilled workers who wish to live and work in Australia on a permanent basis. It is also applicable to individuals who can get sponsorship of an Australian employer.

Asia Pacific Group provides consultation, assessment and visa services for GSM category.

Currently, there are following visa options in skilled migration category:

• • • Skilled Independent Visa – Subclass 189
    • Skilled Nominated Visa – Subclass 190
    • Skilled Regional Sponsored Visa – Subclass 491
      • State Regional Sponsored
      • Family Sponsored

Skilled Independent Visa – Subclass 189

The first step to apply for this visa is to submit an expression of interest (EOI) and then be invited through SkillSelect to apply. On the grounds of people entering and leaving SkillSelect, there is always a change in ranking which makes you unable to view your ranking position after submitting your EOI.

To access the professions falling under this category, select SOL.

The holders of Skilled Independent subclass 189 visa will avail following benefits:

• Allowed to reside, work and pursue studies in Australia for an indefinite period.
• Eligible to enrol with Medicare – a healthcare and expenses scheme by the Government of Australia.
• Obtain Australian Citizenship, if eligible.
• Sponsor eligible family members or relatives and obtain permanent residency for them in Australia upon fulfilling requirements.

Skilled Nominated Visa – Subclass 190

This is a permanent visa that requires nomination by an Australian State or Territory government. Each State and Territory Government publishes a list of occupations in short supply in their area. There may be specific requirements in terms of work experience, English language ability or specialised skills. The applicable occupations list, if nominated by a state or territory government, is the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) or Consolidated Skilled Occupations List (CSOL).

The holders of Skilled Nominated subclass 190 visa will avail following benefits:

• Allowed to reside, work and pursue studies in Australia for an indefinite period. However, you would be generally expected to reside for 2 years in state or territory which nominated you for the visa.
• Eligible to enrol with Medicare – a health care and expenses scheme by the Government of Australia.
• Obtain Australian Citizenship, if eligible.
• Sponsor eligible family members or relatives and obtain permanent residency for them in Australia upon fulfilling requirements.

Skilled Regional Sponsored Visa – Subclass 491

The Regional Sponsored Visa (Subclass 491) is designed to encourage skilled workers and their families to live and work in specified regional or low-population parts of Australia for up to four years.

Applicants can be sponsored by either a relative who is living in a designated area or a State or Territory Government to be eligible.

State Regional Sponsored

You must be Nominated by an Australian State or Territory. Each State and Territory Government have their own list of eligible occupations and may have specific requirements for skills and work experience.

Your occupation must be on the relevant list of eligible skilled occupations.

You must perform a successful skill assessment through the authorised assessing authority to show that you have the skills and qualifications to work in your chosen occupation.

You may be able to apply for this if you are sponsored by an eligible relative living in a designated area.

Family Sponsored

An eligible relative must be either an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen. An eligible relative must also be one of the following to the applicant:

• • Parent
  • Brothers and Sisters
  • Uncles and Aunts
  • Nephews and Nieces
  • First Cousins
  • Grandparents

Applicants who have been sponsored by a relative for two years and have worked full time for at least 12 months in a regional or low population area may qualify for a Skilled Regional Subclass 191 Permanent Visa.

GSM Points Test

• 15 points for nomination by a State or Territory government agency or sponsorship by a family member residing in regional Australia, to live and work in regional Australia;
• 10 points for certain Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) qualifications;
• Partner points
  • 10 points for a skilled spouse or de facto partner; Partner need a skills assessment or
  • 10 points for applicants without a spouse or de facto partner or partner is Australia citizen or PR or eligible NZ citizen or
  • 5 points for a spouse or de facto partner with ‘competent English’.

New Visas to Assist Regional Australia

Three new visas have been introduced to assist the designated regional areas of Australia. The visas will come in effect from Mid of November 2019. The designated regional areas will include all of Australia except for Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane and the Gold Coast.

New Visas Introduced Include:

• Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa – Subclass 491
  • Will substitute the current 489
  • The applicant must have been invited to apply for this visa through the EOI system
  • The applicant needs nomination by a State or Territory government agency or should be sponsored by a relative in designated regional areas
  • Age limit to get this visa is 45
  • The applicant must nominate a skilled occupation with skill assessment.
• Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa – Subclass 494
  • This substitutes 187 (RSMS) visa
• Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa – Subclass 191
  • This visa will be valid from November 16, 2022 for 491 or 494 holders who meet requirements.

GSM Points Test Effective After November 16, 2019

• 15 points for nomination by a State or Territory government agency or sponsorship by a family member residing in regional Australia, to live and work in regional Australia;
• 10 points for certain Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) qualifications;
• Partner points
  • 10 points for a skilled spouse or de facto partner; Partner need a skills assessment or
  • 10 points for applicants without a spouse or de facto partner or partner is Australia citizen or PR or eligible NZ citizen or
  • 5 points for a spouse or de facto partner with ‘competent English’.

Choosing the right occupation in which to apply for skills assessment is critical and can affect your points score and eligibility for state-sponsored options. We at Asia Pacific Group have handled applications for all skilled migration subclasses and most skills assessing authorities. We can assist you in navigating the options to reach a successful outcome.

We can help you with smooth processing of GSM visas along with thorough consultations, assessment and submission of right documents without any error.