Australia’s special skilled visa application system hastens application process

Individuals wanting to work in Australia will now get results swiftly if they apply through the country’s Skill Select programme for a normal skilled migration visa.

An online service, it oversees the skilled migration programme of Australia. It does so by ensuring that the skilled migration programme is in accordance with Australia’s economic needs.  A new round of applications is being issued now for this programme.

A DIBP (Department of Immigration and Border Protection) spokesman said that this programme helps the government in identifying those eligible for applying for skilled migration, and also when they can apply and how many can apply. This, therefore, would reduce the time taken to process visa applications, he added.

Additionally, SkillSelect helps handle regional skill shortages because it allows prospective immigrants to say whether they would like to work and live in the Australian hinterland. This benefits employers who are dogged by skill shortages in regional Australia.

To begin with, skilled professionals and businesspersons evincing interest in shifting to Australia will need to initially submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) via SkillSelect. The applicant needs to fill in detailed information, including work experience, English proficiency, education and a designated occupation.

Although EOI implies that an applicant would want to be regarded for a skilled visa, it is not a typical visa application. It only enables applicants to be identified and nominated for visas issued by employers in the country or in regional governments. Alternatively, the Australian government could invite them to apply for a visa.

All individuals interested in skilled immigration based on points have to submit an EOI and wait for the invitation, after which they can commence the visa application process.

When a visa application is submitted, the SkillSelect programme hastens the procedure. The application is assessed quickly because the ImmiAccount allows the provision of requested documents. The different types of visas which can be applied via SkillSelect include the Business Innovation and Investment visa, the Business Talent visa, and the Skilled Independent visa, among others.

For the Employer Nomination Scheme visa, the Temporary Work Skilled visa and the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme visa, an application must be sent after an invitation is received from a SkillSelect approved employer.

It is a helpful process for Indians wishing to apply for visas under this scheme.