SKILLED MIGRATION

Basic requirements

You or your spouse must be able to satisfy certain criteria relating to age, English language ability, qualifications, occupation and work experience (with certain exceptions - see Australian Qualification exemption below).

An overview of the Skilled visa types is available from this site.

The basic requirements ares:

• Age -You must be less than 45 years of age at the date of visa application.

• English language
  You must have sufficient ability in the English language for working in Australia.  The levels of English language ability can vary depending on which skilled migration visa you apply for.  Ask here for more details.

• Qualifications
  You must have post-secondary qualifications such as a university or trade qualification. Note: For a limited number of occupations, substantial relevant work experience may be acceptable.  Ask here for more details.

• Nominated occupation When you apply, you must nominate an occupation which fits your skills and qualifications. Your nominated occupation must be on the Skilled Occupations List (SOL)

Note: If your nominated occupation is not on the SOL, you cannot apply. However, you may still be eligible under one of the employer sponsored visa categories - Contact Us for more information.

If your skilled occupation is on the SOL, your relevant skills must have been assessed by the relevant assessing authority as suitable for your nominated occupation before you apply for a skilled visa.

• Recent work experience The SOL list allocates points to each occupation on this list.

To meet the recent work experience requirement, you must demonstrate that you have been employed in an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) for 12 of the 24 months immediately before lodging your visa application.

To meet this requirement you must have been employed at a skilled level for at least 20 hours a week.

In the Skill Matching or Skilled-Designated Area Sponsored categories, you may be eligible with less work experience.

You do not need to meet work experience requirement if you have completed an Australian qualification less than 6 months before lodging your visa application.  Note: Certain conditions apply.

Note: For a limited number of occupations, substantial relevant work experience may be acceptable.  Ask here for more details.