General Skilled Migration, or GSM visa in Australia has been designed for people having special skills. In case they want to settle in Australia, they can apply for a GSM visa. You would be eligible for this visa, if you obtain sponsorship from an employer in Australia.

Skilled professionals, migrants or workers can use their qualification, relevant work experience and expertise to settle in Australia, as per the provisions of this visa program. For an immigrant, it is compulsory to undergo the Skill Select program to qualify for this visa. This program consists of two steps. These are:

• The EOI submission (Expression of Interest)
• The actual process of applying for the visa

The test score that you obtain in the program determines your eligibility for the visa. Your eligibility largely depends on relevant English knowledge, besides experience and skills.

The GSM visa is actually an Australian Permanent Resident (PR) visa. On issuing this visa, the government of Australia authorizes accomplished foreign nationals, as well as their family members to work, study and live legally on a long-term basis in Australia. Since this is a Permanent Resident Visa, you can live in Australia for an indefinite period of time. However, you need to adhere to the visa norms.

The GSM visa is different from the temporary Australian visa. In the temporary Australian visa, certain restrictions are imposed on the duration for which one can reside in the country. Besides, if you hold a GSM Visa, you are eligible to submit an application for Australian citizenship just after four years.

Australia is presently one of the best places in the world to study, work and enjoy the lifestyle. It has several amazing cities, and you can find lucrative employment opportunities with the Australian companies. Australia is a diverse democracy, with 28% of its population coming from other countries. A multicultural and immigration-friendly nation indeed, it offers a great lifestyle. Obtaining a GSM Worker Visa to immigrate to Australia is slightly tougher as the Immigration policy of Australia has changed in the recent yeras. On qualifying for the visa, you can cherish a quality lifestyle and the employment potential in the country.

What is Skill Select?

Are you ready to migrate as a skilled migrant to Australia?

Do you possess the skills that are necessary?

SkillSelect refers to an immigration program in Australia. This program is capable of matching the international workers’ skills with the recruiters in Australia. In SkillSelect, points are provided to the immigrants, based on certain factors. This mechanism is like an online board for job, matching employees to the respective recruiters, based on requirements and skills. Under this mechanism, foreign workers need to answer certain questions with regard to their skills and background. The employers can review their profiles. If they have adequate skills and are capable of joining the company, the recruiters nominate the workers to apply for a visa. And, the Australian government invites suitable candidates to apply for the visa on receiving the invitation.

Through SkillSelect, immigrants can submit their EOI (expression of interest). This is a free online service for immigrants. You should note that an EOI is different from a visa application. Through the EOI, it can be determined whether or not you would be considered for skilled immigration to the country. The visa application process gets streamlined through SkillSelect, and as an immigrant, your employment prospects get bolstered. The State or Territory Government or an employer may nominate you, in case you have adequate skills and qualifications. 

The following Visa subclasses comes under SkillSelect:

Skilled Independent Visa (Sub Class 189)

The Skilled Independent Visa for Australia (Sub Class 189) has been designed for immigrants who want to get permanent residence in the country. These candidates should possess the necessary skills and qualifications to fulfil the country’s skill shortages. However, they cannot be sponsored by an Australian recruiter, family member. Neither should the person be nominated by a Territory or State Government of Australia.

This visa for skilled workers is point-based. You can also include your eligible family members in the application. Since this is a permanent visa, the person holding it is entitled to reside with full work rights for an indefinite period in Australia. 

In order to apply for this visa, the immigrant has to come up with an EOI through SkillSelect.

Who else can be included in your application?

You may include your eligible family members in the application for visa, including:

• Your partner
• Dependent relative of you or your partner
• Dependent child of you or your partner

Entitlements under Skilled Independent Visa (sub class 189)

The immigrant and accompanying members of the family are entitled to:

• Study in the country
• Work and live in Australia permanently
• Enroll for the Australian scheme called Medicare for healthcare benefits and expenses
• Get access to some of the payments for social security
• Sponsor their family members to obtain a permanent residence in Australia
• Apply for a citizenship in Australia

Eligibility for the visa

• You need to obtain a score of at least 65 in the SkillSelect Points Test
• Have an occupation listed in the Australian MLTSSL (Medium- and Long-Term Skills Shortage List)
• Your age should be between 18 and 44
• Fulfil the character and health parameters
• Have the Competent level in English, or higher
• Successfully pass the Skills Assessment 

Skilled Nominated Visa (Sub Class 190)

The Australian Skilled Nominated Visa has been designed for skilled employees as a permanent residence visa. If you are interested in living and working in the country, you need to be nominated by a Territory or State Government agency. Skilled workers who have not been successful in passing the points test to obtain the subclass 189 Skilled Independent Visa despite having the necessary skills and qualifications find an alternative in this visa. Applicants who are approved for this visa can live, study and work in Australia’s nominating territory or state for two years and then move to anywhere in Australia.

Eligibility for the visa

The eligibility criteria for subclass 190 Skilled Independent Visa is the same as subclass 189 Skilled Independent Visa. First, the applicants have to fulfil the basic requirements of the visa as a part of the General Skilled Migration program after receiving the invitation to apply. You also need to submit your EOI (Expression of Interest) and follow the procedure.

During assessment, the test points are credited to the applicants on the basis of these aspects:

• Proficiency in English language
• Age
• Study requirements in Australia
• International and/ or Australian qualifications
• Work experience: Both Australian and overseas
• Skills and qualifications of spouse
• Regional Australian study
• Qualifications with regard to community languages
• Specialist qualifications
• Territory or State nomination
• Professional year in Australia

Entitlements under Skilled Independent Visa (sub class 190)

When you are allowed to migrate to Australia under the Skilled Independent Visa (sub class 190), you are entitled for the following:

• Travel to and from Australia
• Live, Study and work in the country
• Sponsor relatives who are eligible for permanent residence
• When you are eligible, you can apply for a citizenship in Australia
• Get access to Medicare, the subsidized healthcare program of the Australian government

Immigrants can reside permanently in Australia when they become eligible for this program. The general processing time needed for this visa is between six to twelve months. While 75% of the applicants can get their visas processed in 9 to 10 months.. Applicants aged between 25 and 32 gets maximum preference, and the points are credited to them accordingly. Candidates with 8 years or more overseas experience at work get maximum preference. Besides, the more degrees you have, the more is your chance to get qualified for the visa.

Skilled Regional Visa (Sub class 491)

The Australian government has come up with the Skilled Regional Visa (sub class 491) for immigrants. Eligible applicants can apply for this visa to work, study and live in selected Australian regional zones. This is a relatively new visa scheme and applicants can enjoy the benefits from 16th November, 2019. This visa program has been designed for skilled immigrants, who want to reside and work in certain regions in Australia. You must note, that designated regional areas in Australia refer to places lying outside the key cities like Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. However, Gold Coast and Perth have been listed as regional zones.

Immigrants who get the 491 Visa are entitled to reside in Australia for a period of 5 years. This is calculated from the date of granting the visa. On qualifying yourself for the visa, you would be entitled to travel to and from the country as many times as you want. 

Eligibility for the visa

The eligibility criteria for Skilled Regional Visa (Sub class 491) is the same as for Sub class 189 and Sub Class 190. In order to obtain this Skilled Regional Visa Sub class 491, you need to follow processes presented below:

• The Invited Pathway
• The Subsequent Entry Pathway

The invited pathway refers to the initial application for visa, where a territory or state nominates you. You may also be sponsored by a family relative, whereby you can submit your application.

The subsequent entry pathway is meant for the family members of the applicant. They can join the immigrant in case the latter has got a temporary regional visa.

The Invited Pathway

Firstly, you need to submit your EOI (Expression of Interest) through the online channels, following which you would receive an invitation to apply. Now, it is necessary for the applicant to fulfil certain basic criteria of the visa, as a part of the General Skilled Migration program.

In case you want your family members to accompany you, the following information would be beneficial. The applicant or their spouse has to be associated with the relative, who serves as the sponsor in the way presented below.

• Parent (Including stepparent or adoptive parent)
• Non-dependent child (Including a natural child, stepchild or adoptive child)
• Nephew of niece (Including step/ adoptive nephew or niece)
• Brother or sister (Including step siblings or adoptive siblings)
• First cousin or grandparent
• Uncle or aunt (Including step or adoptive uncle or aunt)

Including your family

• In case you want to include your family, you can do the same at the time of submitting your application.
• You may also add your dependent child after submitting your application, but before the authorities decide on the same

 It is necessary for the accompanying eligible family members to fulfil certain character and health requirements. In case you do not include your dependent children or partner in this application, you need to share the reason behind the act. For instance, your partner or dependent child may already be a permanent resident of Australia, or hold an Australian citizenship.