SKILLED MIGRATION

If you wish to migrate on the basis of your skills but do not have an Australian employer who can sponsor you, you should apply for skilled migration. In order to be successful, you must:

• Have post-secondary qualifications (such as university or trade)
  
• Work experience in one of the occupations listed in the Skilled Occupation List
  
• Be under 45 years of age when you apply
  
• Have sufficient ability in the English language for working in Australia.
  

Your chances of success may be improved if you have a relative to sponsor you or if you intend to live in a designated area of Australia.

SKILLED MIGRATION VISA CATEGORY

The main sub-classes are:

• Independent
  
• Skill Matching
  
• Family Sponsored (By Relative in Australia)

Independent Categories

The independent visa category is the single largest category and is appropriate if you do not have a sponsor. If you have a post-secondary qualifications, work experience in one of the occupations mentioned in the Skilled Occupation List, are under 45 years of age when you apply and have vocational-level English, you may be eligible for skilled migration to Australia. You must meet these basic requirements and pass the points test. The criteria can be complex and is constantly under review.

Skill Matching

Skill matching is designed to meet skill needs in different areas of Australia. It is an option for person who is considering applying for migration in the Skilled -Independent and Skill Matching visa categories. The skill migration category is not points tested. This category is appropriate if you satisfy the basic requirement, but are not certain if you will pass the points test. Your personal and occupational details will included on the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs' Skill Matching database. The database is sent regularly to some regional bodies, state and territory governments, who may nominate applicants to fill the vacancies that cannot be filled through local labor market.

Family Sponsored

Your chances of success may be improved if you or your partner has a relative in Australia who is willing to sponsor you and will provide you with financial support. You must be under 45 years of age when you apply, have post-secondary qualification and a lower level of English may apply. Your skills must be assessed by the relevant assessing authority as suitable for your nominated occupation. Also you may be eligible with less work experience.

BUSINESS SKILLS MIGRATION

The Australian government encourages prospective business immigrants to invest in Australia. Over the years, thousands of foreign business people have found Australia to be an excellent place to invest capital and to apply their particular business experience to Australian ventures.

Business migration scheme is to attract people with business skills or with investment skills whose migration will result in economic growth of Australia. Business owners, senior executives and investors qualify this category.

In order to qualify for business skills migration, you should have experience in owning and managing a business or investment group, or be a senior executive in a major corporation.

EMPLOYER SPONSORED MIGRATION

You may qualify for employer sponsored migration if you wish to migrate to fill a job that cannot be filled from the Australian labour market and you have an Australian employer willing to sponsor you. This will enable Australian employers to get suitable workers from overseas.

OTHER FAMILY MIGRATION

You may be eligible to migrate to Australia if you have close family living in Australia who are willing to sponsor you. This person should be a:

• Family member or partner of yours
  
• Citizen or permanent resident of Australia
  
• Citizen or permanent resident of New Zealand
  
• Living in Australia and over 18 years of age

Who May Be Eligible

• Partner: Spouse, fiancés, independent partner
  
• Child: Dependent Child, Orphan Relative, Adopted Child
  
• Parent: Aged parent, Working Aged Parent
  
• Other Family: Aged Dependent Relatives, Remaining Relatives, Carers,