Australia is a dream destination for qualified worker. It attracts people for its amazing health facilities, strong education system, stable government, diverse community and high-quality lifestyle. Skilled residence visa root specially subclasses 189 and 190 visa is most reliable visa for permanent residence in Australia.
This blog post tells you everything you need to know about these visas. This is your complete guide to getting permanent residency (PR) through skilled migration. It covers everything from the eligibility requirements and points system to the application procedure and common pitfalls to avoid.
Why Migrate to Australia as a Skilled Worker?
The Australian government encourages skilled workers for their healthcare, education, engineering, and ICT job sectors. As a skillful worker, shifting Australia grants access to competitive employment. It is an excellent opportunity for you, a skilled worker.
Australia ranks highly in terms of safety, environment, and overall quality of life. Immigrants can earn a fair salary, enjoy a good work-life balance, and stay with their family with a PR visa. It is not only a good job offer for an individual but also a change in your lifestyle.
What Are the Benefits of Australian Permanent Residency?
Obtaining Australian PR status involves more than just being able to live in Australia for an extended period. It comes with a set of social, legal, and financial benefits:
- No Limits on Work and Study: People with PR can work in any field, have more than one job, or go to school in Australia.
- Access to Medicare: Australia’s public healthcare system is known around the world for being good and cheap.
The Path to Citizenship: You can apply for citizenship after living in the country legally for four years and holding a PR for at least 12 months.
- Social Security Benefits: After a certain amount of time, PRs can get unemployment and family benefits.
- Family Sponsorship: You can help family members get PR.
- Freedom of Movement: People with PR can come and go from Australia freely for five years (renewable).
It’s not surprising that competent workers worldwide view Australian PR as the most desirable status due to its robust rights.
How Does the Skilled Migration Program (GSM) Work?
The Home Affairs Department oversees the General Skilled Migration (GSM) program. Australia uses a point-based system for skilled and experienced workers. This program offers three types of merit-based visas.
- Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent Visa)
- Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated Visa)
- Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional—Provisional Visa)
To apply for GSM, you must:
- Be younger than 45
- Meet the English language requirement
- Choose a job from the Skilled Occupation List (SOL)
- Get a good skill evaluation from a recognized authority
- Send in an Expression of Interest (EOI) through Skill Select
- Get at least 65 points on the immigration point test
You have a better probability of getting an invitation if you have more points and your job is in high demand.
What is Subclass 189 Visa and Who Should Apply?
The Subclass 189 Skilled Independent Visa is one of the most suitable visa options for skilled workers. It allows you to live and work anywhere in Australia without needing assistance from your company or the government.
Main Benefits:
- Full PR privileges from the start
- No limits on where you can live
- No need for a job offer or nomination
- Fast-tracked processing for highly skilled workers
To be eligible, you must:
- Have a job on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)
- Get a positive skill assessment
- Send in an EOI and get an invitation to apply
- Score at least 65 points on the GSM test.
This visa entirely depends on points. That’s why only the person with the highest number of points can get this visa. It is the best choice for higher-level jobs, such as a software engineer, an accountant, and a registered nurse.
What is Subclass 190 Visa and How Does State Nomination Work?
The Subclass 190 skilled visa is an alternative option for those who are not in the higher level of the job list and meet the requirements set for the Subclass 189 visa. Any state or region of Australia must nominate you for this visa.
The main benefits are:
- Adds five more points to your EOI score
- Gives you full PR status like the 189 visa
- Best for people with jobs that are in high demand at the state level rather than the national level
How State Nomination Works:
Each state and territory in Australia creates its list of jobs based on the local job market’s needs. For example, New South Wales (NSW) prioritizes ICT and healthcare, while Victoria prioritizes STEM, education, and medical fields, and South Australia emphasizes trades and engineering jobs.
Applicants must meet both federal and state standards, which typically include residing in the state, committing to stay there for a specified period, and occasionally having a job offer or work experience in the area.
Which Occupations Qualify Under MLTSSL, STSOL, and ROL?
Australia has three main lists of jobs that decide who can get a visa:
- MLTSSL (Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List):
- You can get a 189 or 190 visa if you meet the requirements.
- Has positions that require a lot of competence, including engineers, doctors, and IT experts
- STSOL (Short-Term Skilled Occupation List):
- Only Subclass 190 can use it.
- Includes jobs like chefs, marketing experts, and early childhood teachers
- ROL (Regional Occupation List):
- Mostly for Subclass 491 (not talked about here)
You will need an ANZSCO code for each job when you take the skill assessment and send in your EOI. Ensure that your real-world experience aligns with the ANZSCO description of the job you are seeking.
What Is the Step-by-Step Process to Apply for a Skilled Visa?
Here is an organized look at the procedure for getting a PR in Australia:
Step 1: Check your skills
Have the proper organization check your qualifications (for example, ACS for IT or Engineers Australia for Engineering).
Step 2: Take the English Language Test
Take the TOEFL iBT, IELTS, or PTE Academic. To earn additional points, aim for “Proficient” or “Superior.”
Step 3: Send your EOI to Skill Select
Create a profile, fill in your information, and submit an Expression of Interest.
Step 4: Nomination from the state (for 190)
To obtain a Subclass 190 visa, you must have a nomination from an Australian state or territory.
Step 5: Get an Invitation
You may receive an invitation to apply based on your score, job, and market demand.
Step 6: Apply for a Visa
You have 60 days to apply and upload all the necessary documents after getting an invitation.
Step 7: Checks by the police and doctors
Obtain police clearances and undergo comprehensive health tests.
Step 8: Visa Grant After your application has been processed, you will get a letter saying that your PR visa has been granted.
How to Secure State Nomination for Subclass 190?
The process for state nominations is different in each state, but it usually includes:
- Checking the list of jobs available in that state
- Showing that you are committed to living in that state
- Meeting other requirements, like having local experience or studying there
- Sending in a state nomination application, which is different from the EOI.
Some states, including South Australia and Tasmania, are more open and willing to accept fresh graduates and applications from other countries. Some places, like New South Wales, are more competitive and focus on high-demand jobs and resident status.
10. How to Boost Your EOI Profile and Avoid Common Pitfalls?
Your application may be accepted or rejected based on the quality of your EOI profile. Here are some ways to stand out:
Make Your Profile Better:
- Try to get an IELTS score of 8 or higher or a PTE score of 79 or higher.
- List your partner’s qualifications
- Sign up for a Professional Year if you can
- Apply for jobs that are in great demand
Don’t Make These Mistakes:
- Picking the inappropriate ANZSCO code
- Using papers that are no longer valid
- Lying about your experience
- Not adding updated information to your EOI
Accuracy is crucial because even minor mistakes can lead to your visa being denied or result in a lengthy processing time.
Conclusion
Obtaining an Australian skilled residence is not only about filling out the form, but also about starting a new lifestyle. It doesn’t matter whether you choose the 189 or 190 visa; you must put in hard work to achieve success. If you are ready to settle in Australia, follow this pathway. The dream of staying in Australia is too close to your idea.