How to Apply for an Australian Skilled Visa: Step-by-Step Guide

Are you planning to immigrate to Australia for work purposes? Well, it is the right call. With the nation providing numerous challenges and opportunities to foreigners, it is a dream destination for anyone who wishes to pursue a greater career in their respective fields. All these can be done only with the help of a skilled visa Australian permit.

This guide will help you understand the processes required to apply for the Australian skilled visa for working purposes effectively:

What is an Australian Skilled Visa?

So, what is a Skilled visa in Australia? Well, it is a legal permit that allows foreigners to settle and work as professional individuals in the country. However, you are evaluated based on your skills, occupation, and points accumulated.

1: Confirm Your Eligibility

Below are the compulsory Skilled Visa Australia requirements to be eligible:

1. Confirm that your profession matches the Australian Skilled Occupation List.
2. You must be an individual below 45 years of age.
3. Crack language proficiency tests such as IELTS, TOEFL, and others.
4. You must be well-equipped with the skills expected from you by the regulatory bodies.
5. Ensure that you score 65 points, which is the minimum acceptable points to be eligible for the visa.

2: Choosing the Appropriate Visa Subclass

Australia has numerous skilled visa options. The most common are:

• Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent Visa)
• Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated Visa)
• Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional Provisional visa)

Consider each subclass to determine which visa subclass would be most applicable.

3: Skills Assessment

Just before submitting your application, you must have your skill assessed by the assessing authority of your profession. The skilled visa occupation list normally involves the following:

• Submission of qualifications, work experience, and other relevant documents.
• Meeting any specific criteria established by the assessing authority (e.g., registration, licensing).
• Payment of an assessing fee.

A passing skills assessment will be required to process your visa application.

4: Sit an English Language Test

Prove your level of English by sitting on any of the accepted tests. Some of the Australian skilled visa requirements include:

• IELTS
• PTE Academic
• TOEFL iBT
• Cambridge English (CAE)

Your test scores need to meet the minimum requirements of your visa subclass. Test results are valid for two years in most cases.

Also Read: Subclass 190 vs. 491: Which Australian Visa Is Right for You?

5: Submit EOI

You can submit EOI through the SkillSelect system, which the Australian government provides.

• Include the details about your skill proficiency, education level, work exposure, and other information requested. Provide details about your qualifications, work experience, skills, and other relevant factors.
• Confirm the visa subclass you wish to apply for working in Australia. Choose the visa subclass(es) you are applying for.
• Confirm the Australian skilled visa cost before applying.
• Finally, ensure that you are willing to work in the country voluntarily.

6: Wait for an Invitation to Apply (ITA)

Once your EOI has been accepted, you will receive an ITA. Invitations depend on ranking by points and the demand for your occupation.

• Subclass 190 and 491 visa applicants may have additional nomination steps that a state or territory has to undertake.

7: Collect Supporting Documents

Once an ITA is issued, collect the necessary documents included in the skilled visa Australia list:

• Passport and identity documents.
• Proof of English language proficiency.
• Skills assessment outcome.
• Educational certificates and transcripts.
• Work experience letters and employment contracts.
• Police clearance certificates.
• Health examination results, if required.

All documents should be certified and translated if they are not in English and meet Australian visa requirements. Also, consult an immigration agent Adelaide to know more about the details.

8: Submit Your Visa Application

Submit your application online through the ImmiAccount portal. Pay the required visa application charge, which depends on the visa subclass and your family situation.

• Double-check all details and upload any required documents.
• Keep a record of your TRN for future use.

9: Health and Character Checks

Most skilled visa applicants must meet health and character requirements:

• Health Check: Present for medical examinations conducted by an authorized panel doctor.
• Criminal background: Present a police clearance report of the places you have spent more than 12 months in.

These checks ensure that you meet Australia’s public health and safety standards.

10: Wait for the Visa Outcome

Be patient and wait for your visa to be processed after submitting it. The Department of Home Affairs is responsible for verifying your documents. Also, one cannot determine the exact time for the delivery of the skilled as different subclass have different processing times.
Keep an eye on your ImmiAccount. If the Department needs more information, they will contact you.

11: Receive Your Visa Grant

If your application is approved, you will receive a visa grant notification that includes:

• Visa conditions.
• Travel validity and entry deadlines.
• Your unique visa grant number.

Hence, this is how to apply for skilled visa in Australia.

Must Read: 190 Visa Processing Time Demystified: What You Need to Know

Conclusion

Hence, these are the steps to apply for a skilled visa Australia as a foreigner. Through this, you can expect a great working career in the nation. If you have any further queries, you can directly consult with the foreign agents who deal with such matters.

FAQs

Q1. What is an Australian skilled visa?

It’s one of the Australian skilled visas available, which enables qualifications by people skilled in serving the demands of the Australian labour market.

Q2. How do I start the process?

Start by initiating an expression of interest, where your skills and qualifications will come into play using SkillSelect.

Q3. Do I need a skills assessment?

Yes. Obtain the skill assessment from the appropriate assessor for the occupation applying for.

Q4. What do you mean by points test?

It refers to the capability to score 65 and above on all the requirements as discussed, be it language proficiency, age, skill level, or occupation.

Q5. What happens after a visa invitation?

Submit the required documents within 60 days of the invitation, along with your health and criminal background checks.

Q6. How long does it take?

Processing times vary from 4 to 18 months based on the type of visa subclass.