« back
Skilled Independent 175/885
The Skilled - Independent visa is designed for skilled individuals with good English language abilities to migrate and fill an occupation in need in Australia. It requires the applicant to meet a pass mark of 120 in the skilled migration points test. It does not require sponsorship by an Australian relative or nomination by a state or territory government.
Duration and Conditions:.
The Skilled - Independent visa results in the grant of a permanent visa with full work and study rights in Australia. Travel facility is valid for 5 years.
Criteria:
The main criteria for the Skilled - Independent visa are as follows:
| Age: | The main applicant must be under 45 at the date of lodgement. |
| Occupation: | A positive skills assessment in a skilled occupation must be provided at lodgement for offshore applicants. International students need to show that they have lodged for their skills assessment at date of lodgement, and must also have applied for their Australian Federal Police and Health checks. |
| English: | The main applicant must have at least:
Evidence of English must be provided at date of lodgement unlike the previous skilled independent subclass 136. Family members aged 18 or over must show at least Functional English, otherwise they may need to pay the English Education Charge. |
| Recent Work Experience: | Unless you have studied in Australia for 2 years, you must show that you have worked in skilled employment for at least 12 of the last 24 months. |
| Points Test: | Main applicant must score at least 120 points in the skilled migration points test |
How do I apply?
All applications for general skilled migration must be lodged either electronically or in paper format at the Adelaide Skilled Processing Centre in Australia. However, you must in general be outside Australia when the application is granted, and this means that you cannot obtain a bridging visa to allow you to remain in Australia during processing of the application. International students who have recently completed qualifications in Australia and New Zealand citizens can lodge and be granted their skilled migration application whilst in Australia. International students seeking to lodge such "onshore" applications for skilled independent migration must have studied in Australia for at least 2 years full time and nominate either a 50- or 60-point occupation.
