Australian Skilled Immigration Points

Are you planning on moving to Australia? Then Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) is one of the visa categories you can consider. This is one of the favourable visa categories that allows the migrants to take steps towards getting permanent residence in Australia. It is awarded based on an applicant’s qualifications and skilled work experience. In this journal, know about how the Skilled Independent visa functions, the points available under the programme, and eligibility criteria required in order to apply.

How Does the Skilled Independent Visa Work?

The Australian Skilled Independent visa permits the Department of Internal Affairs to only accept applicants with the most points (best qualifications, skills, and experience) to apply. This lets the government have control over how many migrants enter the country and make sure that only those with the required traits are able to enter. It is different from the UK points-based system, which permits the licensed sponsoring employers to determine on whom to offer a job, and hence a visa.

In Australian system, prospective workers must first propose an ‘expression of interest’ (EOI). This isn’t included in application for a work visa, rather it gives a chance to interested parties to be added to a pool of candidates. The government can select who they want to invite from this list. Applicants must earn at least 65 points to get selected in the ‘pool’ of candidates. Despite that more points are required to get selected. Every month, the government sets its selection threshold (also known as invitation rounds), and approaches the candidates on this basis. As of that month, candidates require 90 points to be invited to apply under subclass 189, and 110 people are invited to apply. For some jobs, the government would set a minimum point target to achieve the correct balance of skills and professions.

Applicants are held in the EOI pool for almost two years, and can be invited to apply at any point during that period. If you are called, you can then apply for a Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189). Unlike many other countries, you will not need to have a job offer to apply here. However, you will need to have an occupation on the skilled occupation list (SOL), and you must possess the skills assessed by a suitable assessing body.

Points Awarded for Under the Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189)

The full points table for the Skilled Independent visa is available online Points are awarded under the following categories:

• Age
• English language skills
• Skilled employment experience (overseas and in Australia)
• Education qualifications (these must be recognised in Australia)
• Specialist education qualifications – 10 points are available for candidates with a Masters or Doctorate undertaken in Australia in specific fields in natural and physical sciences, IT, and engineering and related studies
• Australian study requirement – 5 points are available for candidates with at least one degree, diploma or trade qualification from an Australian educational institution that meets the Australian study requirement.
• Professional Year in Australia – 5 points are available for candidates who have completed a Professional Year in Australia. To be eligible for the award of these points, your Professional Year must have been in Accounting, ICT/Computing or Engineering.
• Credentialled community language – 5 points are available for those who have been accredited at the paraprofessional level or above, certified at the certified provisional level or above, or have a community language credential for interpreting or translating by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters.
• Study in regional Australia – 5 points are available for applicants who have at least one degree, diploma or trade qualification from an Australian educational institution that satisfies the Australian study requirement obtained while living and studying in an eligible area of regional Australia
• Partner skills

In order to achieve more points and increase the chances of being selected, candidates must be between 25 and 33 years old, have excellent knowledge in English, at least eight years of relevant work experience, a degree or doctorate (being in a specialist field is a distinct advantage), and some study time or work experience in Australia.

Occupations on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL)

There are many jobs in the skilled occupation lists in Australia, depending on the visa category. For the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189), it is the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) which is relevant. The MLTSSL contains a large range of occupations that includes glazier, geotechnical engineer, horse trainer, hydrologist, ICT business analyst, industrial engineer, intensive care specialist, locksmith, and management accountant.

How to get a Skills Assessment?

Skills assessments are conducted by assessing authorities with expertise in your respective field. For example, IT specialists are examined by the Australian Computing Society (ACS). Overall there are 42 assessing authorities approved by the Australian Department of Internal Affairs,that includes the Australasian Osteopathic Accreditation Council Limited, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, and the Australian Psychological Society Limited. The first step to get a skills assessment arranged is to contact the relevant skills authority for your occupation. The process of examination, including the fees and timescales varies between assessing authorities. On completing the assessment, the authority will provide you with a written skills assessment, a certified copy of which you will need to attach with your visa application.

Conclusion

Deciding on moving to Australia for work and livelihood is a huge one to many people, especially when they move abroad for the first time and while taking their family along with them. It is worth securing the services of international immigration lawyers to assist with your application, and verify if you have provided everything required by the Department of Internal Affairs. This will ensure you have the best chance of being accepted on your Skilled Independent Visa application.

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