Skilled Visa News
About Skilled Migration
SkillSelect is an online application process that enables skilled workers and business people interested in migrating to Australia through the submission of an Expression of Interest (EOI).
All EOI’s are considered and, if you are a successful applicant, you will be issued an invitation to apply for the skilled migration visa you have conveyed interest in.
You may also be found and nominated by an Australian employer or State or Territory Government if you have skills and qualifications that are required in Australia.
Employers seeking to sponsor or hire foreign workers can visit our Australian Employer Services page.
Skilled visa processing priorities
Skilled visa applications are processed according to government policy priorities:
- Subclass 124 (Distinguished Talent) Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme)
- Subclass 187 (Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme)
- Subclass 188 (Business Innovation and Investment) (Provisional)
- Subclass 189 (Skilled - Independent) Subclass 190 (Skilled - Nominated)
- Subclass 191 (Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional))
- Subclass 457 (Temporary Work (Skilled)) Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage)
- Subclass 489 (Skilled - Regional (Provisional)) Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional (Provisional))
- Subclass 494 (Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional))
- Subclass 858 (Global Talent)
- Subclass 887 (Skilled - Regional)
- Subclass 888 (Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent).
Skilled visa applications are processed in the following order
- Visa applications in relation to a healthcare or teaching occupation.
- For employer sponsored visas, visa applications where the applicant is nominated by an Approved sponsor with Accredited Status.
- Visa applications in relation to an occupation to be carried out in a designated regional area.
- For permanent and provisional visa subclasses, visa applications that count towards the migration program, excluding the Subclass 188 (Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional)) visa.
- All other visa applications.
For all categories above, priority will be given to holders of eligible passports.
All other skilled visa applications are assessed in order of date of lodgement.
Migration planning levels
The 2023-24 migration planning level will be 190,000 places, with 137,100 allocated to the skilled migration stream.
Skilled Visa Application Charges
The application process for an Australian skilled work visa requires payment of mandatory Government Visa Application Charges (VAC), which differ depending on the type of skilled work visa and the number of applicants involved.
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The Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa (Subclass 191) allows individuals holding a qualifying visa who have lived for at least 3 years in a designated regional area and who have also earned the specified income amount, to reside permanently in Australia.
The visa can include eligible members of your family. You do not need a sponsor or nominator for this visa.
This is a provisional visa. It is for skilled workers who want to live and work in regional Australia.
This provisional visa is for skilled workers who are nominated by a regional state/ territory government or an eligible relative.
It provides benefits including a pathway to permanent residency (Subclass 191).
If you are a skilled worker who is not sponsored by an employer, state or a family member, you may be eligible for the Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189).
This permanent visa enables successful applicants to live and work anywhere in Australia.
To qualify, you must have an eligible occupation appropriate to this subclass and score at least 65 points in the points test at the time you are invited to apply.