Skilled migration to Australia is a vital ingredient in Australia achieving its overall long term goals:

	A strong & resilient economy
	A safe & harmonious multicultural society
	A nation of people with diverse skills

In 2004, the skilled visa programme was revised to encourage more skilled migrants to settle in regional & low population growth areas of Australia.

The current skilled migration policies reflect the Australian government's approach to achieving the above.

Basic Requirements for Skilled Migration

For General Skilled Migration to Australia, you or your spouse must be able to satisfy the following basic requirements:

	Age
	You must be under 45 when you apply.
	English
	You must have sufficient ability in the English for working in Australia   A higher level of English is required for certain occupations where English ability forms part of the skills assessment   In the Skilled-Designated Area Sponsored categories and the Skill Matching visa category you may be eligible with a lower level of English
	Qualifications
	You must have post-secondary (such as university or trade) qualifications (in a small number of occupations substantial relevant work experience may be acceptable)   Your skills must have been assessed by the relevant Australian skills assessing authority as suitable for your nominated occupation
	Nominated occupation
	When you apply, you must nominate a skilled occupation which fits your skills and qualifications.   Your nominated occupation must be on the Australian Department of Immigration And Citizenship (DIAC) Skilled Occupations List (SOL)   If your nominated occupation is not on the list you cannot apply
	Recent work experience
	This requirement is separate to the need to have your skills assessed as suitable for your nominated occupation before you apply.   If your nominated occupation is worth 60 points, you must provide evidence of work experience for at least 12 of the 18 months immediately before applying If your nominated occupation is worth 40 or 50 points, you must provide evidence that you have been in paid employment in an occupation on the SOL for at least 2 of the 3 years immediately before applying In the Skill Matching or Skilled-Designated Area Sponsored categories, you may be eligible with less work experience   You do not need to meet work experience requirement if you have completed an Australian qualification less than 6 months before lodging your visa application* * Conditions apply

Skilled Migration Occupations

The Department of Immigration And Citizenship (DIAC) Skilled Occupations List (SOL) contains a list of skilled occupations which are acceptable when applying for a general skilled visa.

Note however that having an occupation on the SOL does not necessarily make you a suitable candidate for Australian skilled migration,,, even if you think you are able to meet all the other requirements specific to the visa concerned. Examples of this include:

	Not holding qualifications recognized as suitable for the occupation(s) concerned
	Not being able to meet the occupation's registration requirements in Australia (if applicable)
	Not being able to meet the pre-requisites for skills assessment for the occupation such as English & work experience

Australian Migration On Demand List (MODL)

Below is a list of occupations which have been identified as being in high demand in Australia. This list is called the Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL).

If your occupation is not listed below, it does not mean you are not eligible to migrate to Australia. However, it may mean you are not eligible for extra points when completing your points test. People seeking to migrate to Australia on the basis of their work skills receive points if their nominated occupation is on the MODL at the time their visa application is assessed. They receive extra points if they have a job offer in their nominated occupation from an organisation that has employed at least 10 people on a full-time basis for the previous 2 financial years. The MODL is reviewed bi-annually to take into account existing & emerging skill shortages. If you apply for a skilled visa & your nominated occupation is on the MODL, you can expect faster processing times.

Please click on MODL occupations to refer if your occupation is listed.

Australian Skilled Migration Pass Marks

If you are unable to meet the pass marks for skilled migration to Australia but:

	have suitable qualifications & work experience that are in demand in Australia, &
	have skilled work experience,&
	have good English, &
	you are under 45 years old, &
	have adequate funds to settle in Australia, &
	are prepared to settle in designated areas of Australia

you may be eligible to apply for one of the following Australian skilled migration visas:

	a State/Territory Nominated Independent (STNI) visa - you must have sponsorship from a sponsoring Australian STNI government body, or
	a skilled visa which requires sponsorship from approved Australian employers. These skilled visas fall under the following categories:   Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS)   Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS)   Labour Agreements (LA)   Invest Australia Supported Skills (IASS) Programme

While we are able to help you apply for Australian STNI sponsorship (if you are eligible), we are unable to help you find a suitable Australian employer to sponsor your skilled migration visa.