Skilled visa categories
Australia's skilled migration programme is broadly divided into the skilled independent, skilled sponsored visa and skilled regional sponsored visa categories. Each Australia skilled visa category has different requirements for entry to Australia, as well as different entitlements and obligations once you are in Australia.
Skilled independent visas (subclass 175)
This permanent Australian visa is for people with skills in demand in the Australian labour market and is available to people who score the highest in the points test. To submit an application for the Skilled Independent visa you do not require sponsorship from family in Australia or from the Australian Government.
If your application for this Australian visa is successful you will be granted permanent residence in Australia, meaning there are no limitations on where you can live or the type of work you can undertake.
Skilled Regional Sponsored visa (subclass 475)
This three year provisional visa requires you to be sponsored by an eligible relative living in a designated area of Australia, or nominated by a participating state/territory government. This means that initially you will need to live and work in a regional area of Australia, or a 'designated area' if you are sponsored by a family relative. After you have lived for two years and worked for at least one year in a specified regional area you can apply for a permanent visa for Australia under the Skilled Regional (onshore) visa (subclass 887).
Skilled sponsored visas (subclass 176)
This permanent visa for Australia is for people who are unable to meet the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 175) pass mark. To submit an application for the Skilled Sponsored visa you must be either sponsored by an eligible relative living in Australia or nominated by a participating State or Territory government.
To qualify for migration to Australia under this visa you must meet the basic requirements and pass the points test - however with a lower pass mark than is required for the Skilled Independent visa, and with additional points being awarded for State/Territory government sponsorship.
If your application for this visa is successful you will be granted permanent residence in Australia, meaning there is no limitation on where you can live or the type of work you can undertake.
Skilled Recognised Graduate visa (subclass 476)
This is an 18 month temporary visa which caters for graduates of recognised overseas universities who have skills in demand in Australia. As a Recognised Graduate visa holder you will have unrestricted work and study rights and you can apply for permanent General Skilled Migration or an employer sponsored visa at any time.
The Recognised Graduate (subclass 476) visa is initially restricted to graduates who have a bachelor degree in engineering or a higher qualification in engineering from a recognised university. Please note also that to qualify for this visa you must be aged under 31 on the day you make your application.