General Skilled Migration to Australia
Discover if you qualify for General Skilled Migration to Australia. Intergate Emigration offers tailored, expert immigration advice and step-by-step support.
- Licensed advice
- Evidence and timing
- Next step
Australia's General Skilled Migration program is the points-based pathway for professionals and tradespeople whose occupation is in demand and whose age, English, qualifications, and work experience earn a competitive score through the SkillSelect system. The three main visa subclasses are the Skilled Independent (189), Skilled Nominated (190), and Skilled Work Regional (491). Competitive invitation cut-offs in recent rounds have ranged from 75 to 95 points depending on the occupation.
Eligibility
- 01
Age under 45 at the time invitation is issued
Points-tested permanent visas (189, 190, 491) require the primary applicant to be under 45 at the date of invitation from SkillSelect. Age also affects the number of points contributed to the total score.
- 02
Nominated occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list
The nominated occupation must appear on the MLTSSL, STSOL, ROL, or the specific state nomination list being targeted. Different lists apply to different subclasses; choosing the wrong list is a common strategic error.
- 03
Positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority
A positive skills assessment from the authority responsible for your occupation (Engineers Australia, VETASSESS, ACS, TRA, and others) must be in place before the EOI will score the skills component. The assessment must remain valid at the date of invitation.
- 04
Competent English at minimum, with additional points for higher levels
IELTS 6 in each component (or PTE Academic equivalent) satisfies the Competent English requirement. Proficient English (IELTS 7) adds 10 points; Superior (IELTS 8) adds 20. English is one of the fastest ways to increase your total score.
- 05
Points score competitive enough for recent SkillSelect rounds
The minimum threshold to submit an EOI is 65 points, but competitive invitation cut-offs in recent rounds have been 75 to 95 depending on occupation and stream. Lodging at the minimum can leave the EOI waiting indefinitely without a clear route forward.
- 06
Health and character requirements at lodgement
Standard medicals from a Department-approved panel physician and police clearances from every country of 12-month or more residence in the past ten years. These are gathered after invitation, not before EOI submission.
Mistakes that cost a refusal
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Submitting an EOI before obtaining a positive skills assessment; the skills component scores zero until the assessment is positive, making the EOI non-competitive from day one.
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Lodging an EOI at 65 points and expecting an invitation; for most occupations, the competitive threshold is substantially higher, and the EOI may sit indefinitely.
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Claiming partner skills points without obtaining a separate positive skills assessment for the partner; unverified claims in the EOI are a compliance risk at the visa application stage.
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Failing to update the EOI when circumstances improve, such as a new English test result or additional work experience; EOI scores are not updated automatically.
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Allowing the skills assessment to expire before invitation is issued; a lapsed assessment requires a fresh application, which may take months and affects the timeline for invitation.
From first call to grant
01 · 1 wk
Strategy
Eligibility map, points calculation, occupation list verification, English plan, state nomination analysis, and timing plan.
02 · 4-16 wk
Skills assessment
File preparation and lodgement with the relevant assessing authority. Decision timelines vary from 4 weeks to 16 weeks depending on the authority and occupation.
03 · 1 wk
EOI in SkillSelect
Expression of Interest with claimed and verified points, live for invitation rounds across 189, 190, and 491 streams.
04 · 4-8 wk
Invitation and lodgement
Once invited, full visa application within 60 days including health, character, English evidence, and state nomination documents if applicable.
05 · 6-18 mo
Decision and grant
Department processing, response to case-officer requests, and grant of the visa.
What that buys you
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MARA-registered agents carry regulatory liability for EOI accuracy; points claimed must be supported at the visa stage, and overclaiming creates serious compliance risk.
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State nomination strategy requires knowledge of each state's current occupation lists, income requirements, and nomination caps, which change frequently and without public announcement.
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Points modelling: agents calculate not just current scores but projected scores after planned English tests or additional work experience, identifying the optimal lodgement window.
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Honest no-go assessment: if a case is not ready for competitive invitation, we say so before fees are committed to a process that will not succeed in a reasonable timeframe.
We work on a transparent flat fee, quoted at the consultation. We do not publish prices because the right number is the case-specific one.
The Three Core Skilled Migration Visas
The Subclass 189 Skilled Independent Visa is a permanent visa requiring no employer or state sponsorship, available to occupations on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List. The Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated Visa is also permanent but requires nomination from an Australian state or territory; each state maintains its own occupation list and selection criteria for nominees. The Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa is a five-year provisional visa for workers willing to live and work in regional Australia; holders become eligible for the Subclass 191 permanent residence visa after three years of meeting the income and residence obligations.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
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Do I need to be living in Australia to lodge an EOI?
No. The EOI can be lodged from anywhere in the world. The subclass 189 is granted both onshore and offshore. State nomination streams may require evidence of intent to settle in the nominating state, but do not require current residence there.
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How long does the EOI stay active in SkillSelect?
An EOI is active for two years from the date of submission. If you are not invited within that period, you must resubmit. We recommend refreshing the EOI if any circumstances change, particularly English test results, work experience, or partner skills.
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What is the difference between subclass 190 and 491?
The 190 is a permanent visa granted with state nomination, adding five points to your score and requiring you to live and work in the nominating state for two years. The 491 is provisional, also adds five points, and requires living in a designated regional area for three years before you can apply for the subclass 191 permanent residence visa.
Next step
Speak with a licensed advisor about your visa options.
A focused consultation routed to the right licensed advisor. Continue independently after the call, or proceed with us and have the consultation fee deducted from the service fee.