Australia needs skilled people from overseas. If you have a skill that is in demand in Australia, R&K Immigration Group Immigration Services can help you navigate the skilled migration stream.
How we can help you
We know our clients come from different backgrounds and fields of expertise. Our staff can assess your current qualifications and work experience, and advise you on your eligibility to obtain a successful visa outcome.
At every step of the process, our staff will provide assistance in order to achieve a successful outcome for you. We will represent you in all correspondence with the Department of Immigration and follow up the progress of your application until it is finalized.
General Skilled Migration Visa
You must select an occupation from the list of identified occupations and satisfy the points test (currently 65) to qualify for a General Skilled Migration visa, with points awarded based on your:
- age
- English language ability
- qualifications
- employment experience
- partner’s skills.
If you do not have enough points (e.g. you do not have enough points for your English language skills) you may still qualify for a provisional visa.
From 1 July 2012 anyone who wishes to apply for a visa on the basis of being highly skilled, must be invited to apply for a skilled visa. Integral to the new procedure was the introduction of the SkillSelect program.
Under the SkillSelect program prospective skilled visa applicants must first lodge an expression of interest (EOI) with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship. Based on their points test score, the Department will decide whether to let an applicant lodge a skilled visa application. A negative EOI decision cannot be challenged or reviewed. You must get your EOI request right before you lodge it.
Skilled migration is a drawn out, complex process and the law changes so frequently. You must:
- obtain a skills assessment
- lodge an EOI and have it approved
- lodge a visa application
Which visa should I apply for? Dependent on your skills and experience, there are a number of visa options available:
Skilled Independent visa 189
- For skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer, a state or territory, or a family member;
- A visa holder can live and work permanently anywhere in Australia;
- Some family members can be included in the application
If you would like to contact us for advice in relation to your matter, please complete the Contact Form .
Skilled – Nominated visa 190
- For skilled workers who are nominated by a state or territory;
- A visa holder can live and work permanently in a specified area of Australia;
- Certain family members can be included in the application
If you would like to contact us for advice in relation to your matter, please complete the Contact Form .
Skilled – Nominated or Sponsored (Provisional) visa 489
- For skilled workers who are nominated by a state or territory or sponsored by an eligible relative living in a designated regional area in Australia;
- This visa is valid for four years, and a visa holder must live and work in a specified regional area;
- Certain family members can be included in the application
If you would like to contact us for advice in relation to your matter, please complete the Contact Form .
Employer Nomination scheme visa 186 & 187
- The Employer Nomination Scheme enables Australian employers to sponsor highly skilled workers to live and work permanently in Australia.
- This category also allows similar opportunities for regional employers to sponsor highly skilled workers to regional areas of Australia.
If you would like to contact us for advice in relation to your matter, please complete the Contact Form .
Temporary Work (Skilled) visa 457
- A Temporary Business 457 Work visa entitles approved skilled workers to work temporarily in Australia if they are sponsored by an employer.
- The Subclass 457 Employer Sponsored Temporary Residence visa allows skilled workers and their families to live in Australia and work for their employers for up to four years in their skilled occupation, although the initial visa duration is currently one year, if the business has been trading for less than 12 months.
- Applicants must nominate and be qualified or have sufficient experience in an occupation listed on the Consolidated Skilled Occupation List (CSOL).
- Prospective 457 employers must become an approved business sponsor to sponsor employees on 457 visas.
- Employees must be nominated by employers to fill a genuine position within the employer’s business.
- After the employer becomes an approved business sponsor and nominates the prospective employee, visa applicants can then apply for a 457 visa based on the employer's nomination.
- When in Australia the 457 visa holder must work exclusively for the sponsoring employer unless they make arrangements to transfer their 457 visa to another employer or transition to an Employer Nominated permanent residence visa or switch to another type of visa.