AUS Skilled Independent Visa- My Rough Guide

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Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) Features This visa is for points-tested skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer or family member or nominated by a state or territory government. It allows you to live and work in Australia as a permanent resident. Requirements You might be eligible to apply for this visa if invited . When we sent your letter of invitation, you must also have: nominated an occupation that is on the relevant skilled occupation list obtained a suitable skills assessment for that occupation not yet turned 50 years of age achieved the score specified in your letter of invitation based on the factors in the points test at least competent English. - IELTS The Skilled-Independent visa (subclass 189) is a permanent residence visa for points-tested skilled workers who want to work and live in Australia. To be able to apply for this visa you need to submit an expression of interest and then be invited through SkillSelect to apply. You can be in or outside Australia when you apply and when the visa is granted.

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A rough guide for AUS Skilled Independent visa

Transcript of AUS Skilled Independent Visa- My Rough Guide

Page 1: AUS Skilled Independent Visa- My Rough Guide

Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)

Features

This visa is for points-tested skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer or family

member or nominated by a state or territory government.

It allows you to live and work in Australia as a permanent resident.

Requirements

You might be eligible to apply for this visa if   invited . When we sent your letter of invitation, you

must also have:

nominated an occupation that is on the relevant skilled occupation list

obtained a suitable skills assessment   for that occupation

not yet turned 50 years of age

achieved the score specified in your letter of invitation based on the factors in the points test

at least competent English. - IELTS

The Skilled-Independent visa (subclass 189) is a permanent residence visa for points-

tested skilled workers who want to work and live in Australia.

To be able to apply for this visa you need to submit an expression of interest and then be

invited through SkillSelect to apply.

You can be in or outside Australia when you apply and when the visa is granted.

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What needs to be done

Points – 70 or more points for quicker receipt of invitation

Get your experience and education certified by ACS Certified Statutory declaration for all employments Certified education certificates Certified form16/pay slips Refer occupations lists for details

Score 8 in IELTS Apply before you turn 32 Partner should score 6 or more in IELTS

Check - http://www.immi.gov.au/Work/Pages/skilled-occupations-lists/csol.aspx

Police certificate

Medical examination

Bank statement (not mandatory)

Passport

Docs to prove relationship with partner/dependents

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Steps

1. first submit an expression of interest (To submit a complete expression of interest, you must have competent English language skills and a positive skills assessment for your nominated occupation (or Job Ready program, if applicable).)

2. be invited through SkillSelect. (Ull get invitation based on your points – 70 or more points get you an invitation pretty fast i.e 1-2 weeks or less)

If you receive an invitation, you will have 60 days to apply online for the visa. During that time, you cannot change the information in your expression of interest.

 if you are invited. When DIAC sent your letter of invitation, you must have:

nominated an occupation that is on the relevant skilled occupation list

obtained a suitable skills assessment for that occupation

not yet turned 50 years of age

achieved the score specified in your letter of invitation based on the factors in the points test

at least competent English.

Visa Requirements

Health requirements

Indian citizens – requirements are must

 You will need to complete a medical examination, a chest x-ray and an HIV test. Additional tests may also be requested if any of the applicants have a specific health condition – see pdf

Health Waivers - not applicable for PR

Electronic Health Processing – Available from India

Find an electronic health processing clinic look for the eMedical   logo next to the clinic's name in

the panel physicians list. - https://www.immi.gov.au/Help/Locations/Pages/India.aspx

For details - https://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/health-requirements/electronic-health-processing.htm

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Character requirement

Meeting the character requirement for temporary and permanent migration

For the Australian Government to determine whether you are of good character, you may be asked

to provide police certificates for each country you have lived in for 12 months or more over the last

ten (10) years since turning 16.

If you are applying outside Australia, you do not have to provide this information when you apply.

You will be advised when it is required.

If you are applying in Australia, you should provide this information with your application.

Instructions for providing character-related information are included in the health and character

section of the Partner, Child, Parent and Other Family booklets which are available from Aus

Immigration website

Indian applicants - MUST

INDIA Relevant document: ‘Police Clearance Certificate’. Citizens Apply in person to the Regional Passport Office. Resident non-citizens Apply in person to the Ministry of Home Affairs of your state of residence in India. Non-resident citizens Apply to the nearest Indian High Commission, consulate or embassy in your country of residence. Non-resident non-citizens If you are applying in Australia see: http://www.hcindia-au.org/consular_passport_visa_oci.html If you are in another country, apply in writing to the nearest Indian High Commission or embassy in your country of residence.

The application must include the length of your stay in India, your address in India, your personal particulars and the

reason for requiring the certificate.

Debts to the Australian Government

You must have no outstanding debts to the Australian Government or have arranged to repay any

outstanding debts to the Australian Government before this visa can be granted.

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Provide biometrics – not applicable for Indian citizens

Sign the Australian Values Statement

If you are 18 years of age or older, you must sign an Australian Values Statement to confirm that you

will respect the Australian way of life and obey Australian laws. The statement is included in the visa

application form. You must have read, or had explained to you, the Life in Australia book before you

sign the statement.

Including family in your application

You can include the following people in your visa application:

your partner (married or de facto)

your or your partner’s dependent children

other dependent relatives.

Partner – Spouse – Marriage certificate

You must prove:

the relationship is genuine and continuing

your partner is at least 18 years of age when the application is lodged (there are some

exceptions)

you and your partner do not have a have a parent in common and you are not an ancestor or

descendant of one another.

For a married partner, the marriage must be legal under Australian law. 

Family members must be able to show that they meet health and character requirements.

You can add your partner and dependent children to your application at any time until your visa is

decided.

Dependent child

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Acceptable documents that can show a parent-child relationship include:

a certified copy of each child's birth certificate

a certified copy of adoption papers.

Your child or stepchild is considered to be dependent if any of the following apply:

they are younger than 18 years of age

they have turned 18 years of age and continue to be wholly or substantially reliant on you for

their basic needs (food, clothing and shelter)

they have a mental or physical disability that stops them from earning a living to support

themselves (whether or not they migrate with the applicant). The child can be of any age. The

child will still need to meet Australia’s health requirement.

A child of any age is not considered to be dependent if they are currently married, engaged to be

married or in a de facto relationship.

Newborn children

If your child is born after you lodge your application (but before it is decided), you must tell us as

soon as possible. You can do this as follows:

complete Form 1022:   Notification of changes in circumstances  ( 77KB PDF file)

attach a certified copy of the birth certificate to the form

mail them to the office that is processing your application.

Outside Australia: If your child is born outside Australia and either parent is an Australian citizen at

the time of the child's birth, the child may be eligible for Australian citizenship by descent.

In Australia: If your child is born in Australia, they are automatically granted the same visa you and

your partner hold at the time of the child's birth. If either parent is an Australian citizen or Australian

permanent resident at the time of the child's birth, the child may be an Australian citizen by birth.

Other dependent relative

A dependent relative must be your brother, sister, grandparent, grandchild, aunt, uncle, niece,

nephew or step equivalent.

For any dependent relative that you include in your visa application, you must provide evidence of

their:

relationship to you

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dependency on you

relationship status (whether they are married, in a de facto relationship, divorced or separated).

This evidence includes:

a certified copy of their birth certificate and proof of their relationship to you

documents showing that the relative lives in your household

documents showing that your relative has been dependent on you for at least the 12 months

immediately before you lodge your application.

Your other relatives will be considered dependent if all of the following apply:

they do not have a spouse or de facto partner

they usually live with you

they are wholly or substantially reliant on your financial support for their basic living needs (food,

shelter and clothing)

they are more reliant on you for support than on any other person or source

they have relied on you for at least the 12 months immediately before you lodge your

application.

If your relative is divorced, legally separated or widowed, you must provide certified copies of

supporting evidence, such as:

the document of legal divorce

the document of legal separation

the death certificate of the deceased partner.

Applying for visa

Apply for this visa online through SkillSelect, using the link DIAC provided in your letter of invitation.

Invitations are based on claims that you make in your expression of interest, so your application

must include evidence to support your claims.

If you are invited to apply for this visa, you will have 60 days to apply. You can be in or outside

Australia when you lodge your application.

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Prepare your documents

You need to provide documents to prove the claims you make in the application. The documents are

listed in the Document checklist.

Some documents could take some time to obtain. You should have them ready when you lodge the

application to reduce any delays in processing.

Lodge your application online

Pay the initial visa application charge by credit card when you apply.

Upload your documents through your ImmiAccount   when you lodge your online application. This will

help reduce delays in processing the application.More information

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Certified docs

Unless asked to do otherwise, you should provide 'certified copies' of original documents, rather than

the original documents.

'Certified copies' have been authorised (or stamped) as being true copies of originals, by a person or

agency recognised by the law of the country in which you live. All departmental offices outside

Australia have a person who can certify or witness documents. You may have to pay for this service.

Police certificates are the exception. You must provide original police certificates with your

application.

Check the link - http://www.ag.gov.au/Publications/Pages/Statutorydeclarations.aspx

After you have applied

Outside Australia:

If you apply for this visa from outside Australia, do not make arrangements to travel to Australia until

you are advised in writing that you have been granted a visa. Wait for a decision from us before you

leave your job, sell your home or book your travel.

In Australia:

If you apply for this visa in Australia, you could be eligible for a Bridging visa that allows you to stay

in the country lawfully while your application is processed. If you are given a Bridging visa A, you can

apply for a Bridging visa B (BVB) to travel outside Australia while you wait for a decision.

You can access information on current processing times at Allocation dates for general skilled

migration applications.

Allocation Dates for General Skilled Migration Applications

Allocation tableThe tables below list the earliest lodgement dates for applications that have been allocated to case

officers. You can use this information to determine when your General Skilled Migration (GSM)

application will be allocated and to prepare your application for assessment.

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This information was last updated on 31 January 2014 and the next update will occur in late

February 2014.

Effective 1 July 2012, the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection set priority processing

arrangements for certain skilled migration visas. Allocation dates outlined below reflect these priority

processing arrangements.

If you have applied for a visa that is not currently being processed (these are marked with an * in the

table below) please do not contact the department to enquire about the progress of your application.

When processing resumes you will be contacted when your application is allocated.

EARLIEST LODGEMENT DATES FOR APPLICATIONS ALLOCATED TO CASE OFFICERS

Visa Subclass Priority Group 3 Priority Group 4 Priority Group 5

189 Skilled – Independent N/A Within 10 weeks of

lodgement

N/A

190 Skilled - Nominated Within 7 weeks of lodgement N/A N/A

489 Skilled - Regional Within 7 weeks of lodgement Within 10 weeks of

lodgement

N/A

175 Skilled – Independent (e-

lodged)

N/A All applications

allocated

25 May 2009

175 Skilled – Independent

(paper)

N/A All applications

allocated

15 September 2008

176 Skilled – Sponsored (e-

lodged)

Within 8 weeks of an

approved nomination

All applications

allocated

18 January 2008*

176 Skilled – Sponsored

(paper)

Within 8 weeks of an

approved nomination

All applications

allocated

8 October 2007*

475 Skilled – Regional

Sponsored(e-lodged)

Within 8 weeks of an

approved nomination

All applications

allocated

28 January 2008*

475 Skilled – Regional Within 8 weeks of an All applications 20 September 2007*

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Sponsored (paper) approved nomination allocated

496 Skilled – Designated Area

Sponsored

N/A All applications

allocated

22 August 2007*

885 Skilled – Independent (e-

lodged)

N/A All applications

allocated

All applications

allocated

885 Skilled – Independent

(paper)

N/A All applications

allocated

All applications

allocated

886 Skilled – Sponsored

(e-lodged)

Within 8 weeks of an

approved nomination

All applications

allocated

11 December 2009*

886 Skilled – Sponsored

(paper)

Within 8 weeks of an

approved nomination

All applications

allocated

13 March 2009*

487 Skilled – Regional

Sponsored 

(e-lodged)

Within 8 weeks of an

approved nomination

All applications

allocated

25 December 2009*

487 Skilled – Regional

Sponsored (paper)

Within 8 weeks of an

approved nomination

All applications

allocated

30 June 2009*

Notes:

N/A - indicates that the relevant visa subclass is not specified for this priority group.

The department has amended the way that information is presented for Priority Group 5 to

provide a date for each subclass and lodgement method.

Where an * is included after this date then:

o The department is not currently allocating applications for this subclass.

o This date is an indication of which applications have been allocated.  Any applicants who

lodged an application before this date and have not been contacted by a case officer

should be aware that the department cannot now action their application until processing

recommences for this subclass.

o Processing decisions are made in accordance with migration programme planning levels

and priority processing arrangements.

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Priority

Group

Number

Application Type

1 Applications under the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS).

2 Applications under the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS).

3 Nominated by a state or territory government agency for an occupation specified on that

agency’s State Migration Plan (SMP).

Order of processing will be:

1. applications lodged from 1 July 2012 through SkillSelect (subclass 190 and 489

applications)

2. applications in this priority for other General Skilled Migration (GSM) subclasses

(subclass 176, 475, 487 and 886 applications).

4 Applications with nominated occupations on the Skilled Occupation List Schedule 1.

See: Skilled Occupation List (108KB PDF file)

Order of processing will be:

1. applications lodged from 1 July 2012 through SkillSelect (subclass 189 and 489

applications)

2. applications within this priority for other GSM subclasses (subclass 175, 176, 475,

487, 885 and 886 applications).

5 All other applications, which include the following 

Note: These subclasses are not listed in order of processing:

1. applications for a State or Territory Sponsored visa (subclass 176, 475, 487 and

886 applications) where a state or territory approved nomination has either not been

provided or has not been accepted by the department

2. applications for a Skilled Independent visa (subclass 175 and 885 applications)

where the nominated occupation is not on the SOL

3. applications for a family sponsored skilled migration visa (subclass 176, 475, 487,

496 and 886 applications) where the nominated occupation is not on the SOL.

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Processing times – skilled migration applications affected by processing prioritiesThe below table describes the processing times for skilled migration visa subclasses.

Priority

Group

Number

Visa Subclass Processing Time

1 RSMS

(subclass 119, 857)

Skilled Regional

Low risk – 5 months

High risk – 8 months

SkillSelect

(subclass 187)

6 months

2 ENS

(subclass 121, 856)

Low risk – 5 months

High risk – 8 months

SkillSelect

(subclass 186)

6 months

3 SMP 

(subclass 176, 475, 487, 886)

12 months

SkillSelect SMP

(subclass 190 and 489)

6 months

4 Nominated Occupation on the SOL – Schedule

1

(subclass 175, 495, 496, 861, 862, 863, 880,

881, 882, 883, 885 and 176, 475, 487 if not

SMP)

18 months

SkillSelect Independent and Family Sponsored 12 months

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(subclass 189 and 489)

5 All visas listed in priority 3 and 4 that are not

SMP or Nominated Occupation on the SOL –

Schedule 1

Assessment will commence when all

cases in priority groups 1-4 are

finalised

- Note – Indian citizens belong to High risk and NOT  eligible for Electronic Travel Authority

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Document checklist

At the time of invitation

You must provide evidence you met the following threshold requirements at the time of invitation.

Evidence you have at least competent English. This includes:

o evidence you are a citizen of and hold a current passport from Canada, New Zealand, the

Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom or the United States of America, or

o you have scored at least 6 on each of the four components of speaking, reading, listening

and writing in an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test, or scored B

on each of the four components of an Occupational English Test (OET) you took in the

three years immediately before lodging your application.

If you are seeking to demonstrate proficient or superior English for the points test, you must

submit a suitable English language test result even if you hold one of the passports specified

above.

A suitable skills assessment   assessed by the relevant assessing authority for your nominated

occupation from the relevant Skilled Occupation List.

You were under 50 years of age. Your personal documents are counted as evidence.

Evidence that you need to provide to support your Points Test claims made in your Expression

of Interest (EOI). Evidence you need to provide is available below. Your assessed points score

must be equal to or greater than the points score you claimed in your EOI.

State or territory Government agency nomination through SkillSelect. Note: you are not required

to provide additional evidence that you have been nominated by an Australian State or territory

Government agency.Forms

Form 1393 Electronic application form (online form: use the link we have provided in your letter

of invitation).Documents to show identity

Scanned colour copies of the biographical pages of the current passports or travel documents

of all people included in the application.

Recent, scanned passport-sized photograph (45 mm x 35 mm) of you and each other person

included in the application. Alternatively, digital photos can also be provided. Each photograph

should:

o be of the head and shoulders against a plain background and

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o be labelled with the applicant's name.

If your name has changed or the name of anyone included in your application has changed:

o evidence of the name change.

Scanned colour copy of your birth registration, and that of all people included in the application,

showing the names of both parents. If you do not have a birth certificate, provide a certified

scanned colour copy of the identification pages of at least one of the following:

o passport

o family book showing both parents’ names

o identification document issued by the government

o document issued by a court that verifies the person’s identity

o other acceptable evidence that you are who you claim to be.Your family relationships

Spouse or de facto partner

If you are married or in a de facto relationship, provide evidence of a genuine and continuing

relationship with your partner at the exclusion of all others.

o If you are married provide a scanned colour copy of marriage certificate or relationship

registration for you and your partner

o For de facto relationships this should include evidence that you have been in the relationship

for at least 12 months at time of application. Evidence can include, but is not limited to, joint

bank account statements, billing accounts in joint names, other evidence of cohabitation etc).

If you or anyone included in the application has been widowed, divorced or is permanently

separated: a certified scanned colour copy of the relevant death certificate, divorce decree

absolute, or statutory declaration/separation certificate.

Children

Copies of birth certificates or the family book showing the names of both parents for each

dependent child included in the application.

For all children included in the application aged 18 years or older, provide a scanned colour

copy of:

o their full birth certificate to evidence their relationship to you

o evidence of their current or recent formal studies

o evidence of financial dependency on you

o a completed Form 47A

If any dependent child included in the application is adopted include scanned colour copies of

the adoption papers.

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If you have included a child under 18 years of age in the application, and that child’s other

parent is not included in the application you must provide documentary evidence that you have

the legal right to include that child in your application, such as:

o copies of official legal documents, such as a court-issued custody, access or guardianship

order;

o Form 1229 Consent form to grant an Australian visa to a child under the age of 18 years

(125 kB PDF file). If you use this form, you will have to attach a certified copy of the other

parent’s government issued identification document (such as a passport or driver’s licence)

with their photograph and a signature.

Other dependent relatives

For all other dependent relatives included in your application:

A completed Form 47A

evidence of the relationship between this applicant and you or your spouse (birth & marriage

certificates, etc)

evidence that this relative lives in your household

evidence your relative has been financially dependent on you for at least the 12 months

immediately before you lodge your application

if your relative has been widowed, divorced or is permanently separated a copy of any relevant

death certificate, divorce decree absolute, or statutory declaration/separation certificate.Character requirements

Police checks for you and everyone included in your application, whether they are migrating or

not, who is at least 16 years of age. You must provide a scanned colour copy:

o of an Australian National Police Check for anyone who has spent a total of 12 months or

more in Australia since turning 16 years of age

o of police certificates from each country in which anyone in your application has spent a

total of 12 months or more in the past 10 years since turning 16 years of age.

If you or anyone included in the application has served in the armed forces of any country:

o certified scanned colour copy of military service record or discharge papers.Family members English language proficiency

For each of your dependent applicants who are aged 18 years or older at the time of application

must provide evidence of Functional English. If the applicant does not have evidence of

having Functional English, you will need to provide a statement indicating your intention to pay

the second instalment of the visa application charge.

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Points test

Evidence to support your claims made against each relevant criterion on the Points Test should be

scanned, certified where required and uploaded with your online application.

Age: Proof of age such as a copy of your birth certificate or passport. Your personal documents are

counted as evidence and in most cases you will not need to provide more documents.

English language proficiency: the results of an IELTS or OET test that you took in the three years

immediately before lodging your application. You need to ensure you are able to provide evidence of

the level of your English language ability attained at time of invitation. You will need to provide your

IELTS or OET test result as evidence of your English language ability.

You only need to provide the Test Report Form (TRF) Number that is on your IELTS certificate.

Skilled employment: evidence of working full-time in skilled employment in the 10 years before you

were invited to apply, such as:

employment references

contracts, pay slips, tax returns, group certificates

evidence that you have been self-employed

any other documents that you provided to the relevant assessing authority to obtain your skills

assessment, including any documents relating to your employment history.

Employment references must meet the following requirements:

be written on the official letterhead of the company or government department providing the

reference;

the letterhead should indicate clearly the full address of the company and any telephone, fax

numbers, e-mail and website addresses;

the name and position of the person authorised to sign the employment reference should be

typed or stamped below that person’s signature;

the contact telephone number of the person writing the reference should be included in the

letter;

the letter should indicate the exact period of employment (including whether permanent or

temporary, full or part-time), position(s) held, the duties undertaken and the salary earned -

positions should not be described by generic titles (eg. research officer, public servant) but

according to the nature of the duties undertaken (eg. research chemist, accounts clerk); and

a payslip from your current employment should also be included – this is especially important

from applicants working in government departments.

Qualifications: evidence of your qualifications, such as certified copies of:

degrees, diplomas, certificates and course transcripts

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any other documents you provided to the relevant assessing authority to support your

qualification claims.

Australian study requirement: evidence that you have completed one or more degrees, diplomas

or trade qualifications for award by an Australian educational institution as a result of a course or

courses:

that are registered courses;

that were completed in a total of at least 16 calendar months;

that were completed as a result of a total of at least 2 academic years study;

for which all instruction was conducted in English; and

that you undertook while in Australia as the holder of a visa authorising you to study.

Credentialed community language: evidence that you have been accredited at the

paraprofessional level or above for interpreting or translating by the National Accreditation Authority

for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI).

Study in regional Australia: Obtain evidence that you have lived and studied in regional

Australia/low population growth metropolitan areas:

you will need evidence of residency which spans the 2 year period – this will usually include

documents such as rental agreements and gas, power and telephone bills; and

you may need to provide supplementary evidence of studying at a campus in regional Australia

or a low population growth metropolitan area if your academic transcript does not identify the

campus.

Partner skills:

your partner’s personal documents that prove they are under 50 years of age

evidence your partner has at least competent English at time of invitation. This includes

o evidence they are a citizen of and hold a current passport from Canada, New Zealand, the

Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom or the United States of America, or

o they have scored at least 6 on each of the four components of speaking, reading, listening

and writing in an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test, or scored B

on each of the four components of an Occupational English Test (OET) they took in the

three years immediately before lodging your application.

a suitable skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for your partner’s nominated

occupation (which must be on the same skilled occupations list as your nominated occupation).

Professional year in Australia: documents that prove you completed a specified professional year

of 12 months in Australia in the four years before you were invited to apply.

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Points Test

Factor Description Points

Age 18–24 years 25

25–32 years 30

33–39 years 25

40–44 years 15

45–49 years 0

English language ability

Test results must be no older than three

years immediately before the day on

which the visa application was made.

Competent English:

score of at least 6 on each of the four

components of speaking, reading, listening

and writing in an IELTS test, or B on each of

the four components of an OET test, or

provide evidence that you are a citizen of

and hold a passport from Canada, New

Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, the United

Kingdom or the United States of America

0

Proficient English: score of at least 7 on each of

the four components of speaking, reading,

listening and writing in an IELTS test, or B on

each of the four components of an OET test

10

Superior English: score of at least 8 on each of

the four components of speaking, reading,

listening and writing in an IELTS test, or A on

each of the four components of an OET test

20

Skilled employment

Only 20 points can be awarded for any

combination of skilled employment in

Outside Australia: skilled employment in your

nominated skilled occupation or a closely related

skilled occupation

In skilled employment for at least three but

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and outside Australia

less than five years (of the past 10 years) 5

In skilled employment for at least five but

less than eight years (of the past 10 years)

10

In skilled employment for at least eight and

up to 10 years (of the past 10 years)

15

In Australia: skilled employment in your

nominated skilled occupation or a closely related

skilled occupation

In skilled employment for at least one but

less than three years (of the past 10 years)

5

In skilled employment for at least three but

less than five years (of the past 10 years)

10

In skilled employment for at least five but

less than eight years (of the past 10 years)

15

In skilled employment for at least eight and

up to 10 years (of the past 10 years)

20

Qualifications Doctorate from an Australian educational

institution or other doctorate of a recognised

standard

20

At least a bachelor degree from an Australian

educational institution or other degree of a

recognised standard

15

Diploma or trade qualification completed in

Australia

10

An award or qualification recognised by the

assessing authority in the assessment of the

skilled occupation

10

Australian study requirement One or more degrees, diplomas or trade

qualifications awarded by an Australian

educational institution and meet the Australian

study requirement

5

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Other factors Credentialled community language qualifications 5

Study in regional Australia or a low population

growth metropolitan area (excluding distance

education)

5

Partner skill qualifications 5

Professional year in Australia for at least 12

months in the four years before the day you were

invited to apply

5

Nomination/sponsorship (where

required)

Nomination by state or territory government (visa

subclass 190 only)

5

Nomination by state or territory government or

sponsorship by an eligible family member to

reside and work in a specified/designated area

(visa subclass 489 only)

10