Skilled Migration to Australia
Permanent and provisional skilled visas based on your occupation, qualifications, and points score. Cases handled by MARA-registered advisors.
- Licensed advice
- Evidence and timing
- Next step
Skilled Migration to Australia is the points-tested pathway for people whose occupation appears on a relevant Skilled Occupation List. It leads to permanent residence via the Skilled Independent (subclass 189), Skilled Nominated (190), or Skilled Work Regional (491) streams. Most successful applicants score 75 to 95 points on age, occupation, English, qualifications, and work experience.
Eligibility
- 01
Age under 45 at the time of invitation
Skilled visas (subclass 189, 190, 491) require applicants to be under 45 at the date the invitation is issued. Some employer-sponsored streams have higher caps.
- 02
Nominated occupation on the relevant Skilled Occupation List
Your nominated occupation must appear on the MLTSSL, STSOL, ROL, or relevant state nomination list, depending on the visa subclass and any state nomination you are pursuing.
- 03
Positive Skills Assessment from the relevant assessing authority
Engineers Australia, VETASSESS, ACS, TRA, and others; the right authority depends on the nominated occupation. The skills assessment must be valid at the time of invitation.
- 04
Competent English at minimum, with more points for Proficient or Superior
Competent English is IELTS 6 in each component (or equivalent in PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT). Proficient (IELTS 7) earns 10 additional points, Superior (IELTS 8) earns 20.
- 05
Sufficient points score for invitation in the most recent SkillSelect rounds
The minimum threshold is 65, but invitation cut-offs cluster between 75 and 95 depending on the occupation. We model your score and tell you whether to lodge, restructure, or wait.
- 06
Health and character requirements at lodgement
Standard medicals from a panel physician and police clearance certificates from every country where you have lived 12 months or more in the past ten years.
Mistakes that cost a refusal
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Submitting an EOI without a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority.
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Lodging at the minimum 65-point threshold and waiting for an invitation that never comes; competitive cut-offs sit far higher.
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Counting partner skills points without obtaining a separate positive skills assessment for the partner.
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Failing to refresh the EOI when circumstances change (additional points from age, work experience, or new English test results).
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Allowing the skills assessment to expire (3 years) before invitation; a fresh assessment is required if it lapses.
From first call to grant
01 · 1 wk
Strategy
Eligibility map, points calculation, occupation list verification, English plan, and timing plan.
02 · 8-16 wk
Skills Assessment
File preparation and lodgement with the relevant assessing authority. Most decisions in 8 to 16 weeks.
03 · 1 wk
EOI in SkillSelect
Expression of Interest with claimed points; live for invitation rounds while the file matures.
04 · 4-8 wk
Invitation and lodgement
Once invited, full visa application within 60 days, including health, character, English, and supporting evidence.
05 · 6-12 mo
Decision and grant
Department processing, response to any case-officer requests, and grant of the visa.
What that buys you
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Cases prepared by Registered Migration Agents under the MARA code of conduct, with regulatory liability for the work.
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Hundreds of skilled-stream cases per year on the same subclasses; we know which evidence the case officer wants.
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Strategic restructuring when a points score does not yet meet competitive cut-offs, including state nomination, regional pathways, partner skills, and timing.
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Honest assessment up front: if a case is not ready, we say so before fees are committed.
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.
What this page covers
Skilled migration is the primary pathway to Australian permanent residence for people whose occupation appears on a relevant Skilled Occupation List and who can meet the points test, English requirement, skills assessment, and health and character standards. The three core subclasses are the 189 Skilled Independent (permanent, no nomination), 190 Skilled Nominated (permanent, state nomination required), and 491 Skilled Work Regional (provisional, state or family nomination, with a pathway to permanent residence via 191).
Subclass 189: Skilled Independent
Permanent residence with full work rights nationwide. No state nomination, no employer sponsorship. Competitive: invitation cut-offs in recent SkillSelect rounds have run between 90 and 95 points for many occupations.
Subclass 190: Skilled Nominated
Permanent residence with a five-point state-nomination boost. Requires nomination by an Australian state or territory; each runs its own occupation list and additional criteria around residence, employment, or commitment to settle.
Subclass 491: Skilled Work Regional (Provisional)
A five-year provisional visa for people willing to live and work in regional Australia. Holders become eligible for permanent residence via Subclass 191 after meeting the income and residence requirements.
Other skilled visa streams
Beyond the three core skilled streams, employer sponsorship (subclass 482, 186, 494) and the National Innovation Visa (subclass 858) provide alternative pathways for applicants whose profile suits employer-led or innovation-led migration.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
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Do I need to live in Australia first to apply?
No. The skilled independent (subclass 189) is granted offshore. Some state-nominated and regional streams require residence or employment in the nominating state, but the foundational skilled visa does not.
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How does state nomination affect my chances?
State nomination on a 190 or 491 adds points and gives access to occupation lists not available on the 189. It also commits you to live and work in that state for a defined period.
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What if my partner is not skilled?
Partner skills points are optional. If your partner is not skilled, you forgo those points but the visa application is otherwise unaffected; partner is included as a secondary applicant with their own health and character checks. Your partner can still contribute five points with a Competent English score, IELTS 6 in each band.
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.