Applying for an Australian skilled visa can feel overwhelming, but the process is more structured than most people realise. Here is a practical overview of what is involved.
Which skilled visa is right for you?
Australia offers several skilled visa pathways. The three most common are:
- Subclass 189 - Skilled Independent visa. No state or employer sponsorship needed. Points-tested.
- Subclass 190 - Skilled Nominated visa. Requires state or territory nomination. Points-tested with a 5-point bonus.
- Subclass 491 - Skilled Work Regional visa. Requires state nomination or family sponsorship for a regional area. Points-tested with a 15-point bonus.
Your occupation must be on the relevant Skilled Occupation List, and you will need a valid skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority.
The application process
1. Check your eligibility
Before anything else, confirm that your occupation is on the list, you meet the age requirement (under 45), and you have enough points to be competitive. The current pass mark is 65 points, but invitation rounds typically require higher scores.
2. Get your skills assessed
Each occupation has a designated assessing authority. For example, engineers go through Engineers Australia, IT professionals through ACS, and accountants through CPA or CAANZ. This step can take 4-12 weeks depending on the authority.
3. Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)
Lodge an EOI through SkillSelect. This is where you declare your points claim. The Department of Home Affairs runs regular invitation rounds and selects candidates with the highest points.
4. Receive an invitation and lodge your application
Once invited, you have 60 days to lodge a complete visa application through ImmiAccount. This is where most people struggle - the form is long, the document requirements are specific, and mistakes can delay your application by months.
5. Health checks and police clearances
You will need to complete medical examinations at an approved clinic and provide police clearances from every country you have lived in for 12 months or more.
6. Wait for a decision
Processing times vary by visa subclass and individual circumstances. Currently, 189 visas take 6-12 months to process.
Where MigrateYou fits in
MigrateYou guides you through every step - from your initial eligibility check to generating your complete application pack. Our smart checklists make sure nothing is missed, and our readiness score tells you exactly when your application is ready to lodge.
Join the waitlist to be first in line when we launch.
