Australian General Skilled Migration (GSM)
Australian General Skilled Migration (GSM) This programme, also known as the General Skilled Migration programme, is for people who are not sponsored by an employer and who have skills in particular occupations required in Australia. To qualify for GSM, you must:
- Age - you must be under 45 when you apply
- English language - you should have sufficient ability in the English language to work in Australia (at least at a vocational level)
- Qualifications - you must have post-secondary qualifications and your skills must be assessed by the relevant assessing authority as suitable for your nominated occupation
- Nominated occupation - when you apply you nominate a skilled occupation, which fits your skills and qualifications. Your nominated occupation must be found on the Skilled Occupations List
- Recent work experience - You must provide evidence that you have been in paid employment in a skilled occupation on the SOL for at least 12 months in the last 24 months immediately before applying.
General Skilled Migration is divided into two categories, Skilled Independent and Skilled Sponsored.
Applicants who are not eligible for Skilled Migration may still be eligible for migration as an employee.
Skilled Independent (VE subclass 175)
This is an Australian skilled permanent visa for people with valuable skills who can contribute to the Australian economy. This visa offers permanent residency and unrestricted working rights for both the main applicant, and spouse and children (if applicable).
The pass mark for this visa class is currently set at 120 points.
Skilled Sponsored (VE subclass 176)
This is also a permanent visa for skilled people to migrate to Australia. Applicants are required to meet a lower point threshold than Skilled Independent visas, so this may be a good option for people with family in Australia who do not meet the required points threshold for the Skilled Independent.
To qualify for this visa, applicants must be sponsored by an eligible relative living in Australia, or by an Australian state or territory government. Upon arrival in Australia, the applicant, spouse and children all have permanent residency and unrestricted working rights.
The pass mark for this visa class is currently set at 100 points.
Skilled Regional Sponsored (subclass 475)
The Skilled Regional Sponsored visa is a 3 year temporary visa, with the possibility of going permanent after 2 years. This visa also benefits from a lower points threshold and applicants must be sponsored by either an eligible relative living in a designated area, or by an Australian state or territory government.
The migrant, spouse and children must all live, work and/or go to school in the same designated area as your relative if going family-sponsored, or in a designated area of the State if going state-sponsored.
The pass mark for this visa class is currently set at 100 points.
> Take the Skilled Regional Sponsored (subclass 475) assessment