In order to migrate to Australia, the country offers a variety of visa sub-categories. The Australian government has established a number of immigration programs for the PR visa in order to streamline the immigration process, filter immigrants, and ensure that only competent persons are awarded visas.
Each immigration program has its own set of eligibility requirements, terms, and selection criteria.
Points-based system
The eligibility of immigration applications in Australia is determined using a points-based system. To be considered, you must first have the required eligibility points, which is a score of 65 or higher on a scale of 100. The scoring criteria are listed in the table below:
| Category | Maximum Points |
| Age (25-33 years) | 30 points |
| English proficiency (8 bands) | 20 points |
| Work Experience outside Australia (8-10 years)
Work Experience in Australia (8-10 years) |
15 points
20 points |
| Education (outside Australia)
Doctorate degree |
20 points |
| Niche skills such as Doctorate or master’s degree in Australia | 5 points |
| Study in a regional area
Accredited in community language Professional year in a skilled program in Australia State sponsorship (190 visa) |
5 points
5 points 5 points 5 points |
Here is a brief description of important immigration pathways
Skilled stream
Australia is in need of qualified migrants who can contribute to the country’s economic growth. Skilled migrants bring a higher level of education, a better likelihood of obtaining work, and the ability to contribute more to the economy. Employee-sponsored migrants are more likely to achieve their objectives.
Most persons wish to migrate to Australia as skilled workers, and they do so through the Skilled Migration Program.
The General Skilled Migration (GSM) Program allows you to apply for a visa.
To be eligible for a visa under this program, you must meet the GSM category’s basic requirements, these include:
- 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.
Moving to Australia under any of these visas under the Skilled migration program will lead to permanent residency in Australia after a few years of stay.
Here are the details of the three important visas under this stream:
Skilled Independent visa (Subclass 189): You must first submit an Expression of Interest through SkillSelect. This can be done both inside and outside of Australia.
Applications are only accepted by invitation; to be considered, you must:
- 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 applywithin 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 offers the same advantages as the Skilled Independent visa (Subclass 189).
With the exception of having expertise in a nominated occupation on the Skilled Occupations List, the application conditions are the same.
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Subclass 491 Visa: With this visa skilled professionals and their families must live, work, and study in specified regional zones for five years. After three years, they will be eligible for a permanent residency visa. The qualifications are the same as for other Skilled Nomination schemes.
Family stream
If a close relative is an Australian citizen or permanent resident, you can migrate to Australia under the family stream. Spouses/partners, dependent children, parents of citizens, and permanent residents of Australia prioritize the family stream. It also allows other family members, such as elderly and dependent relatives, caregivers, and others, to relocate to Australia to be with their families.
Employer-Sponsored Migration
This program aims to address skill shortages in the Australian labor market by matching job openings with migrants who have the required skills and experience.
Business Innovation and Investment Program
The Australian business visa program helps international entrepreneurs, top executives, and investors establish new or expanding existing firms in Australia. This program may also be a means of obtaining permanent residence.
Distinguished Talent visa
The Distinguished Talent visa is for persons who have made a substantial contribution to the arts, sports, research, or academic fields through their profession. Subclass 858 and Subclass 124 are the two subclasses of the visa.
Which stream should you chose?
Every year, the Australian government establishes migration planning levels as well as a cap on the number of slots available under each migration program. For the year 2021-2022, the following table displays the number of slots given to each migration program:
| Skilled Stream category | 2021-22 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 | 2021-22 Planning Levels |
| Partner | 72,300 |
| Parent | 4,500 |
| Other Family | 500 |
| Total | 77,300 |
| Child & Special Eligibility | 3,100 |
The Skilled Stream category, which has a total of 79,600 immigration spots, will receive the most places, according to the Australian government’s immigration plan. You will have a better chance in this stream if you meet the eligibility requirements and score the required points. Seek advice from an immigration specialist before deciding on the best path to take to migrate from the US to Australia in 2022.