Skilled Migration
Australia has a Skilled migration program which has many categories with specific eligibility requirements for each based on the individuals circumstances and qualification.
Skilled Independent:
For those who do not have a family (blood relative) sponsor in Australia and meet the basic requirements this category is suitable for you.
Skilled Independent Regional applicants:
This category is suitable for those who meet the basic requirements and who wish to live and work in a regional or low population growth area in Australia. The pass mark for this category is currently the lowest of all the skilled independent categories for skilled migrant workers and applications under this category receive priority processing at the Adelaide Skilled Processing Centre.
Skilled Migrant - Designated Area Family Sponsored Visa
This is a visa for permanent residency in Australia and is very similar to the Independent Skilled Migration Visa. The difference is that an Australian relative may sponsor you, provided they live in a district of low population or economic growth. This visa has the basic requirements of all skilled visas, but it is not points tested. To sponsor a migrant to Australia, you must be either a permanent resident or a citizen, or an eligible New Zealand citizen. If you are an Australian permanent resident, then you must be settled in Australia with a job and be financially stable before you can sponsor someone else - this is usually two years after arrival.
Skilled Designated Area Sponsored (Provisional)
If you have a close relative who lives in one of the designated areas of Australia you could be eligible under this category. You must be related to your sponsor as a non-dependent child (natural, adoptive or step-child) or a parent or a brother or sister (natural, adoptive or step-sibling) or a niece or nephew (natural, adoptive or step-niece or nephew) or a first cousin or a grand child. This category is not points tested, meaning there is no pass mark or pool mark. However all basic requirements need to be satisfied. The visa is given for a period of 3 years and in order to get the permanent visa, the holder will have to reside in the regional area for a minimum of 2 years and should have worked for at least 1 year.
Skilled Independent Regional (SIR) (Provisional)
If you have scored a minimum of 100 points and you are nominated by one of the regional bodies You could be able to apply under this category. This visa is valid for a period of 3 years and will be a temporary visa. If you live in the regional area that has nominated you and worked fulltime for at least 12 months in an occupation in the skilled occupations list and if you are nominated by the State/Territory government, you can get the permanent visa.
Skilled Independent State/Territory Nominated (STNI)
You could be able to apply under this category, if you have scored a minimum of 70 points and you are nominated by one of the state/territory governments. To be eligible for nomination, your occupation must be in the most wanted list of that state/territory. You would also need to live in the state/territory that sponsors you for a period of 2 years.
Skilled Independent:
For those who do not have a family (blood relative) sponsor in Australia and meet the basic requirements this category is suitable for you.
Skilled Independent Regional applicants:
This category is suitable for those who meet the basic requirements and who wish to live and work in a regional or low population growth area in Australia. The pass mark for this category is currently the lowest of all the skilled independent categories for skilled migrant workers and applications under this category receive priority processing at the Adelaide Skilled Processing Centre.
Skilled Migrant - Designated Area Family Sponsored Visa
This is a visa for permanent residency in Australia and is very similar to the Independent Skilled Migration Visa. The difference is that an Australian relative may sponsor you, provided they live in a district of low population or economic growth. This visa has the basic requirements of all skilled visas, but it is not points tested. To sponsor a migrant to Australia, you must be either a permanent resident or a citizen, or an eligible New Zealand citizen. If you are an Australian permanent resident, then you must be settled in Australia with a job and be financially stable before you can sponsor someone else - this is usually two years after arrival.
Skilled Designated Area Sponsored (Provisional)
If you have a close relative who lives in one of the designated areas of Australia you could be eligible under this category. You must be related to your sponsor as a non-dependent child (natural, adoptive or step-child) or a parent or a brother or sister (natural, adoptive or step-sibling) or a niece or nephew (natural, adoptive or step-niece or nephew) or a first cousin or a grand child. This category is not points tested, meaning there is no pass mark or pool mark. However all basic requirements need to be satisfied. The visa is given for a period of 3 years and in order to get the permanent visa, the holder will have to reside in the regional area for a minimum of 2 years and should have worked for at least 1 year.
Skilled Independent Regional (SIR) (Provisional)
If you have scored a minimum of 100 points and you are nominated by one of the regional bodies You could be able to apply under this category. This visa is valid for a period of 3 years and will be a temporary visa. If you live in the regional area that has nominated you and worked fulltime for at least 12 months in an occupation in the skilled occupations list and if you are nominated by the State/Territory government, you can get the permanent visa.
Skilled Independent State/Territory Nominated (STNI)
You could be able to apply under this category, if you have scored a minimum of 70 points and you are nominated by one of the state/territory governments. To be eligible for nomination, your occupation must be in the most wanted list of that state/territory. You would also need to live in the state/territory that sponsors you for a period of 2 years.
