There are many reasons why people from the UK wish to move to Australia. One reason is the high quality of life, the great outdoors in Australia and the job opportunities in the country.
If you are thinking of moving to Australia, the country provides several subcategories of visas to applicants with unique criteria for eligibility. The Australian government has devised many immigration systems for the PR visa in order to streamline the immigration process, filter the immigrants and ensure that eligible applicants are given visas.
Each immigration program has its own specific requirements for eligibility and selection criteria.
Eligibility for PR visa applications
PR visa applications are usually done through the General Skilled Migration (GSM) program. Australia uses a points-based system to assess PR visa applications.
To be eligible for a PR visa, the minimum score required is 65 points and comprises of age, qualification, work experience, adaptability etc.
Immigrants wishing to move to Australia usually opt for one of the following two migration streams:
- Skilled stream
- Family stream
Skilled stream
Australia needs qualified migrants who will make a contribution to the economy. Skilled migrants bring high educational qualifications and higher potential for employment with them. This carries the promise of a greater economic contribution. Employee-sponsored migrants have the ability to bring the desired outcomes.
The Skilled stream is a points-based system and is the most popular immigration program. Here are the details of the eligibility requirements for the three main visa categories under the Skilled Migration Program.
Skilled Independent visa (Subclass 189): Before submitting your application under this category, you must give an Expression of Interest through SkillSelect. This can be done within or outside of Australia.
Eligibility requirements
- Have Experience in a nominated occupation on Australia’s Skilled Occupations List
- Get a skill assessment report by a designated authority for that occupation
- Submit an Expression of Interest
- Be under 45 years
- Meet general Skilled Migration basic requirements
- Score at least 65 on the points test
- Meet health and character requirements
Once you receive an invitation to apply for this visa, you must do so within 60 days.
Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190): If you are nominated by an Australian state or territory, you are eligible for this visa. This visa has the same benefits as the Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) except that you should have experience in a nominated career on the Skilled Occupations List.
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Subclass 491 Visa: As a route to a PR visa, this visa has replaced the Subclass 489 Visa. Skilled workers and their families must live, work and study for 5 years in specified regional areas under this visa. After three years, they will be eligible for a PR visa. The criteria for eligibility are the same as for other Skilled Nomination Programs.
Global Talent Program: The government has also introduced a Global Talent Independent Visa program (GTS) to help fill the tech talent shortage in Australia. The GTS aims to attract tech workers and encourage innovation in the future-focused industries in the country. There are plans to expand the GTS visa to provide permanent residence option.
Employer Sponsored Migration: By matching the vacancies to those migrants who have the necessary skills and experience, the program aims to fill skill shortages in the Australian labor market.
Business Innovation and Investment Program: The Australian business visa program helps foreign business owners, senior executives and investors to come here for business purposes and develop new or existing businesses in Australia. This can also be a pathway to permanent residency.
Family stream
If your near family member is a citizen or permanent resident in Australia, you can move into Australia under the family stream. The family stream gives preference to the spouse/partner, dependent children, parents of citizens and permanent residents in Australia. It also provides an opportunity for other family members such as relatives who are old and dependent, caretakers etc. to move to Australia to be with their families.
Which stream should you apply for?
Every year, the Australian government sets the migration planning levels and fixes a certain number of places under each migration program. Here is a table with details of places allotted to each migration program in 2020-2021:
| Skilled Stream category | 2020-21 Planning Levels |
| Employer Sponsored (Employer Nomination Scheme) | 22,000 |
| Skilled Independent | 6,500 |
| State/Territory (Skilled Nominated permanent) | 11,200 |
| Regional (Skilled employer sponsored/skilled work regional) | 11,200 |
| Business Innovation and Investment Program | 13,500 |
| Global Talent Program | 15,000 |
| Distinguished Talent | 200 |
| Total | 79,600 |
| Family Stream Category | 2020-21 Planning Levels |
| Partner | 72,300 |
| Parent | 4,500 |
| Other Family | 500 |
| Total | 77,300 |
| Child & Special Eligibility | 3,100 |
As you can see in the table the highest number of places is allocated to the Skilled Stream category which has a total of 79,600 immigration places for 2020-21.
You have better chances under this stream, provided you meet the eligibility requirements and score the required points. The government has made changes to the age and English language requirements under this program to ensure only highly skilled migrants are eligible.
The Family stream has also seen an increase in the number of places by about 61 percent (an increase from 47,732 to 77,300) out of which 72,300 are partner visas.
The stream you opt for is also dependent on the fact that how far you are able to meet the eligibility requirements.
To choose the right stream which will help you to migrate from the UK to Australia in 2021, take the help of an immigration consultant who will provide you with the right guidance.