Skilled Visa

Skilled visas are a set of temporary and permanent visas. As the name suggests, if your skills are required in Australia, you may be eligible to apply for these visas.

Subclass 189 – Skilled Independent Visa

This visa is a permanent visa and can be applied once you receive an invitation to apply for the visa from the Department of Home Affairs, Australia. Invitation rounds are conducted every month by the Department. It is a points-tested visa and points are claimed according to a few factors: Age, Qualifications, Experience, Level of English, etc.

This is the most competitive visa as applicants from all over the world apply for Australian Permanent Residency through this visa. 

Subclass 190 – Skilled Nominated Visa

This visa is a permanent visa and can be applied once a state nominates you for the visa. There are 6 states and 2 territories that can nominate you for this visa.

These states and territories are:

• New South Wales

• Victoria

• Queensland

• South Australia

• Tasmania

• Western Australia

• Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

• Northern Territory

All of the states and territories have their own criteria for nomination. Moreover, the criteria can change anytime throughout the financial year depending on the economic and employment needs of the state.

Subclass 491 – Skilled Work Regional (Provisional)

This visa is a temporary visa and is granted for 5 years. This visa can be applied once a state nominates you for the visa. Like above, there are 6 states and 2 territories that can nominate you for this visa. These states and territories are:

• New South Wales

• Victoria

• Queensland

• South Australia

• Tasmania

• Western Australia

• Australian Capital Territory (ACT)

• Northern Territory

All of the states and territories have their own criteria for nomination. Moreover, the criteria can change anytime throughout the financial year depending on the economic and employment needs of the state.

There is a pathway to apply for Permanent Residency through the Subclass 191 Visa.

Subclass 191 visa

If you hold a Subclass 491 or Subclass 494, then you may be eligible to apply for permanent residency through Subclass 191. The basic requirements to fulfil are:

• Working for 3 years in designated regional area on Subclass 491. Your minimum taxable income should be at least $53,900.

• Living in designated regional area for 3 years before applying