Skilled Migration
If you’re a professional or tradesperson, you could be eligible for a skilled visa. These visas are designed to target skilled shortages, diversify business expertise and increase entrepreneur talent. The skilled stream makes up approximately two thirds of Australia’s total migration program and includes both temporary and permanent visas. There are different pathways for skilled professionals to apply for permanent residence to Australia under invited or sponsored migration streams.
The skilled independent visa, skilled nominated visa, skilled regional visa etc are some of the popular programs under which eligible applicants can file an application for permanent residence to Australia.
These visas are usually points based programs, where applicants and/or their partners are accorded points for age, qualifications, work experience, language proficiency, ties in Australia etc. Selections may be based on points scores or first come first serve basis depending upon the program applied for.
State Migration Plans (or SMPs) play a critical part in the Australian General Skilled Migration (GSM) program, as they have been developed by State/Territory governments to essentially determine which applicants are eligible for state sponsored visas on the basis of their occupation.
- Western Australia State Migration Plan
- Victoria State Migration Plan
- South Australia State Migration Plan
- Queensland State Migration Plan
- New South Wales State Migration Plan
- Tasmania State Migration Plan
- Australian Capital Territory (Act) State Migration Plan
All states in Australia offer state nomination for deserving applicants. State nomination requirements. Applicants can be nominated through one of two streams. The General stream and the Graduate stream. Australia education is world class and offers good pathways and may apply for skilled immigration based on their employment skills.
The rights and conditions of each visa category will vary, so it's important to find out what you're entitled to while in Australia, and equally importantly to find out what restrictions there will be. For example, a number of visas won't allow you to work and many have restrictions on healthcare.
Which makes it even more pertinent and worthwhile to seek the help of qualified migration agent.