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 short supply 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.

Visa Criteria

Age

The main applicant must be under 45 at the date of lodgment.

Occupation:

The main applicant must have a positive skills assessment in a Skilled Occupation. For offshore applicants, the skills assessment must be finalised before lodgement, but onshore applicants just need to show that they have applied for skills assessment at date of application.

English:

The main applicant must have at least:

• Competent English: in most cases
• Vocational English: if nominating a trade occupation

Family members aged 18 or over must show at least Functional English, otherwise they may need to pay the English Education Charge.

Evidence of threshold English must be provided at date of lodgement

Recent Work Experience

Offshore applicants must have worked in skilled employment for at least 12 of the last 24 months prior to application.

Study in Australia

International students do not need to show recent work experience. Instead, they must show that they either:

• Meet the 2 year study requirement and have completed qualifications within six months of applying for the visa;or
• Hold a skilled graduate visa

Points Test:

The main applicant must achieve a score of at least 120 points to qualify for the visa.

Duration and Conditions