Australia remains among the most sought-after destinations for migrate overseas. If you are a skilled foreign worker looking to work and live anywhere in Australia, getting to know the eligibility requirements for Australia Skilled visa in 2020 can be quite useful.

While there are many visas that come under the ‘skilled’ category, here we shall look at the most popular visas under the General Skilled Migration (GSM) category.

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Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) — Points-tested stream. With a subclass 189, invited workers with the skills needed in Australia can live as well as work at any place in the country permanently.

Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) — This visa lets skilled workers that are nominated to live as well as work in Australia as permanent residents.

What can I do on my subclass 189 and 190 visas?

On subclass 189 and 190, you can –

• Work and study in Australia
• Stay permanently in Australia
• Enrol in Medicare
• Sponsor relatives
• Become citizen of Australia, if found eligible for the same
• Travel to and from the country for 5 years

Do keep in mind that anyone arriving in Australia will have to wait for some time before they can access certain benefits by the Australian government.

What are the eligibility criteria for subclass 189 and 190?

1. Receive an invitation:

First and foremost, you cannot apply for subclass 189 and 190 unless you have been invited.

If you are interested in moving to Australia permanently on a subclass 189 or 190 visa, you will have to begin the process by submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) on SkillSelect.

Any foreign-born skilled worker or businessperson interested in migrating to Australia will have to go through SkillSelect. All EOIs have to be submitted online. No fees to create/submit EOI.

EOIs are stored in SkillSelect with 2 years’ validity.

Profiles in SkillSelect are ranked against each other. Invitations are sent accordingly.

2. Skill assessment:

At the time of invitation, you must be able to declare that you have had a skills assessment done.

What are the assessing authorities for skills assessment for Australia?
Currently, there are 42 assessing authorities that conduct the required skills assessment for GSM visas for Australia –

Do keep in mind that a copy of the skills assessment will have to be provided at the time of submitting your application.

For legal and medical practitioners, there are certain other proofs of skills assessment as well, such as general/specialist registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, admission to practice law etc.

Skills assessment must have been done within the 3 years prior to the invitation being sent.

If, in case the skills assessment is based on qualification got in Australia when on a student visa, the course must needs be registered on Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS).

3. Meet the age criterion:

As per the age criterion, you must be under 45 when you receive the invitation to apply for the visa.

You can still apply: If you complete 45 years of age after you get the invitation.

You will not be invited: If you turn 45 during the period between the submission of EOI and receiving an invitation.

4. Score 65 and above:

As these visas are points-tested visas, you will have to score a minimum of 65 points to be eligible.

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Check your eligibility from Y-Axis’ Australia Skilled Immigration Points Calculator.

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For being invited to apply for subclasses 189 and 190, you must score 65 points at the time of submitting your EOI.

Do keep in mind that the higher your score, the brighter the chances of your being sent an invitation.

While a 65 makes you eligible for being invited, an 80 or 85 can get you an invitation within 1 to 2 months.

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For more details on the points calculation, read How many points are required for Australia PR in 2020?

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5. Competent English:

At least a competency in the English language is required. The applicant must also be able to provide evidence for the same.

Do note that residents of and holding a valid passport from certain countries – Ireland, Canada, New Zealand, UK, and US – do not have to provide any evidence for English language competence.

All others have to provide test results for any one of the following English language tests –

6. Occupation:

Your occupation should be on the corresponding list of eligible skilled occupations.

7. Meet the health requirement:

Generally, all visa applicants applying for permanent or provisional visas will have to undergo certain health examinations. Even the family member applying for the visa alongside the main applicant might be expected to undergo the medical tests.

These include –

• General medical examination
• HIV test
• Chest X-ray

Do keep in mind that while these are the tests usually required, you might be asked to undergo other medical examinations as well.

8. Meet character requirement:

The main applicant, as well as the accompanying family members [above 16 years], must meet the requirements of character.

These requirements are as per the Migration Act, 1958: Section 501 – Refusal or Cancellation of Visa on Character Grounds.

Accompanying family members must also meet the character requirements as well.

9. Have paid back your debt to the Australian government:

If you or any family member applying for the visa with you owes the Australian government any money, either the family members or you must have paid it back or have made an arrangement for the same to be paid back.

10. Australian values statement:

For this, you will be expected to have read yourself, or have had explained to you, the Life in Australia booklet. The booklet is specifically designed for providing information on Australian society, culture, and history.

Keeping in mind the fact that immigrants coming to Australia belong to a wide range of countries, the booklet Life in Australia is available in various languages, including Hindi, Arabic, Italian, Spanish etc.

You must also either sign or denote your acceptance of the Australian Values Statement.

This is for affirmation that when in Australia, you will be respecting the Australian values and obeying the Americal laws.

Do keep in mind that if the Australian Values Statement is not signed by you, your application can be delayed or refused altogether.

11. Visa cancellation in past:

You might be ineligible for this visa if you have had a visa refused or cancelled while you were in Australia. A common ground for visa refusal/cancellation can be concerns about character. According to the Department of Home Affairs, those who have had their visa refused/cancelled on the grounds of concerns for character are “permanently excluded from being granted most visa types except for a Protection visa (subclass 866)”.

According to the Australian Board of Statistics (ABS), since 2016, Indians have been the largest source country for migrants moving to Australia. In 2017-18, the total number of permanent residency visas issued by the Australian government stood at 162,417. Of these, 33,310 went to Indians.

Australia is a good place to settle down into. With no language barrier and a welcoming and laidback attitude of the general population, Australia indeed has much to offer migrants from different parts of the world.

If you are a skilled worker thinking of migrating overseas in 2020 and exploring your options for the same, why not give Australia some serious thought.

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Also, read:

• How many points are required for Australia PR in 2020?
• What is the easiest way to get Australia PR in 2020?
• How to apply for Australia PR from India in 2020?
• What are the eligibility requirements for Australia PR in 2020?
• What is the Australia PR process timeline in 2020?

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If you are looking to Study, Work, Visit, Invest or Migrate Overseas, talk to Y-Axis, the World’s No. 1 Immigration & Visa Company.

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