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Australia is the top nation for skilled workers to seek employment opportunities. The country has a strong and stable economy and migration programs that attract several international workers and students to pursue their careers and studies in Australia. A skilled visa to Australia is for people or individuals who are highly skilled and are looking to permanently migrate to Australia to settle and work in the country. There are several requirements to be fulfilled to get an Australian skilled worker visa also known as visa subclass 189. This blog will tell you all about the various Australian skilled visa requirements.
Read about the Australian work visa requirements
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Types Of Australia Skilled Visas
There are two types or two visa streams for Australian skilled visas subclass 189, the following are streams:
- Points Tested Stream is the one in which the visa applicant does not need a sponsor or to be nominated but should get an invitation for the application. This visa invitation is received when you pass the assessment with a minimum score of 65 points.
- The other is the New Zealand Stream Visa which is for New Zealand citizens who have lived in Australia for 5 years and have been living before February 2016 and held a special visa 444.
Australia Skilled Visa Eligibility Requirements
The eligibility criteria for the Australian skilled visa requirements for the Points-tested stream are:
- You must be under the age of 45
- You must have received an invitation to apply for the visa
- You must have a minimum of 65 points scored in the skill assessment
- A potential skill evaluation must be possessed along with an English proficiency test
The eligibility criteria for the Australian skilled visa requirements for the New Zealand stream are:
- You must currently possess or must have had a visa subclass 444
- You must have earned income that is equal to the income threshold and have a job in Australia
- Your stay in Australia should minimum be of 5 years or more
Australia Skilled Visa Documentation Requirements
The following are the documents as part of Australian skilled visa requirements:
- Copy of a valid passport having enough blank pages for the purpose of stamp
- National identity card or any other identification document to prove your identity and nationality
- A proof of English language proficiency in the form of a cleared English language test with a good and acceptable score
- You need to complete and submit the Form 956 and Form 956a as a part of the Australian skilled visa requirements
- To get a point-tested stream visa you will need to undergo a skill assessment the result of which needs to be submitted
- You need to provide documents supporting your fitness and health in the form of an examination by the authorised doctor
- Character certification by the authority in your country is also needed to ensure no criminal record against you
- If you require a visa by Newzealand stream then residence documents and income documents are also needed
- If your spouse is travelling along then their character documents, identity documents, marriage certificate, evidence of registered relation, and English-level proficiency documents need to be submitted along
- If your children under the age of 18 are travelling along with you, then their identity documents, birth certificate, parental consent 1229, statutory declaration and family book with parent’s name are required
- If your dependent children over the age of 18 are travelling along with you then, proof of dependency, dependency form 47a and proof of English level proficiency is required to be submitted.
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Australia Skilled Visa Application Process
Once the Australian skilled requirements are checked and met, the next step is to fill out the application. The following is the application process for the Australian skilled visa:
Expression of Interest
An expression of interest needs to be submitted via SkillSelect before the vis application can be made for the points tested stream
Point requirements
You will receive an automatic invitation for the visa application if you meet the required points of 65 at least. The information and skills you put in EOI the calculator of the points will automatically take place and let you know if you are eligible.
Visa invitation
Post the filling and submission of your Expression of Interest, the assessment of your information will take place, and if your score is enough and meets the requirements you will receive the invitation
Application
Log in to the SkillSelect account after the invitation has been received and select the option of ‘apply for the visa” which will send you to the Immiaccount where you can fill in and apply for your skilled visa for Australia.
If you are applying through New Zealand then the first three steps are not necessary, you can directly apply through Immiaccount.
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Application Fee for Australia Skilled Visa
After meeting the Australian skilled visa requirements you can apply for the visa. To submit the application form you need to pay the fee. The application fee for the Australian Skilled visa is provided below:
| Visa Name | Fees |
| Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) | From AUD4,640.00 |
Australia Skilled Visa Processing Time
The Australia Skilled Visa processing times are as follows:
| Visa Name | 50% applications processed | 90% of applications processed |
| Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)Points-tested stream | 67 Days | 14 Months |
Australia Skilled Visa Duration of Stay
Australia Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) is a permanent visa. However, this visa has a travel component that will expire after 5 years. You will only become a permanent resident after the visa has been granted. For citizenship purposes, the permanent visa starts on the day visa is granted (if you are in Australia), or the day you enter Australia (if you are outside the country).
FAQs
The processing time for the Australia Skilled visa point tested stream is 15-25 months, and the processing time for the New Zealand stream is 14-17 months.
The cost of the Australian skilled visa is 4,115 AUD. The people who can not prove their English level proficiency by point-tested stream need to pay a second installment of 4,890 AUD.
You can stay with the Australian skilled visa in the country for as long as you want as it is a permanent visa. You can also apply for the citizenship of eligible after a few years.
A skilled independent visa or subclass 189 is a visa granted by the Australian government to skilled foreign workers to live and work permanently in the country. A skilled independent visa holder can work, sponsor eligible relatives, study and can even become a Australian citizen if they are eligible.
We hope you understand everything about Australian skilled visa requirements. Want to apply for a Visa for your study abroad journey? Drop us a comment in the section below, or you can connect with a visa expert at Leverage Edu, and we will guide you on your dream journey!
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