Australia is one of the few developed countries in the world actively taking migrants, in particular skilled people of all nationalities.

120 points for independent skilled migration: Since September 2007, the Australian government has introduced new changes to Skilled Migration Program.

1. Who can apply for skilled migration

2. Visa classes

3. Point test

Free Assessment System

1. Who can apply for skilled migration ?

To be eligible to apply for a skilled migration visa you must satisfy the following basic requirements:

• Must be under 45 years of age.

• Pass a skill assessment by a relevant assessing authority in a nominated occupation from the Skilled Occupations List. People may need a formal qualification (e.g. diploma or above) or/and work experience (e.g. tradesperson) to pass the skill assessment. Our consultants will assist you on this issue.

• Have at least 12 months appropriate work experience in the past 24 months immediately before visa lodgment (except recent graduates who have achieved a qualification at diploma level or higher after at least Two Years fulltime study in an institute in Australia).

• Have a Competent level in English language capability (IELTS 6 across all sessions).

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2. Visa types

• Skilled Independent Visa (Offshore-Subclass 175, Onshore-Subclass 885): You can apply for a permanent residency visa under the skilled independent category if you do not have a sponsor.

• Skilled Australian Sponsored visas (Offshore-Subclass 176, Onshore-Subclass 886): This class visas, only require 100 points. The applicant can be sponsored by State/Territory Government; OR Sponsored by a close relative who is an Australia permanent resident or citizen.

• For all other visas, please contact our friendly consultants for further information.

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3. Point test system

As from 14 April, 2004, the passmark for skilled independent migration categories was increased to 120. The passmark is 100 points for Australian sponsored skilled migration visas and the skilled independent regional (provisional) visa.

• Age: 18-29, 30 points; 30-34, 25 points; 35-39, 20 points; 40-44, 15 points.

• Skill: You may get 60, 50 or 40 points based on your nominated occupation.

• Work experience: You may get 10 or 5 points if you have obtained 3 years relevant work experience in the past 4 years.

• English language: You may get 15 points if your native language is English or you can attain a score of 6.0 across all sessions in an IELTS test. For a score of 7.0 across all sessions in an IELTS test you would be awarded 25 points.

• Spouse skill: Your application may get another 5 points if your spouse also meets the basic requirements mentioned above.

• Occupation in Demand: If your nominated occupation is on the Occupation in Demand List, you may get 10 points or 15 points (with work experience).

• Community Languages: You may get 5 points if you are fluent in one of Australia's community languages.

• Australian qualification (at least 2 academic years of study in Australia): You may get 5 points if you have completed an Australian diploma higher qualification, or 15 points for a combined bachelor degree with honors or master degree, or 25 points for a PhD degree. You may get another 5 points if the study is in a regional or low population region.

• Relationship:If you have a close relative who is an Australian citizen or permanent resident, you may apply for Sponsored Skilled Migration visa.