Australia’s General Skilled Migration Program (GSM)
The General Skilled Migration program is used by the Australian government to fill skill gaps in the Australian economy by targeting specific occupations and people with relevant skills and experience. The program covers a number of visas, including pathways to direct permanent residence (the Skilled Independent (Subclass 189) visa, the Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190) visa) or a staggered provisional pathway through the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (Subclass 491) visa. Additional points are awarded to those willing to relocate to designated regional areas.
General eligibility
- have an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list
- have a suitable skills assessment for the occupation
- be invited to apply for this visa
- be under the age of 45 if you are invited to apply for the visa
- satisfy the points test (score 65 points or more, though pragmatically the minimum score is much higher)
- have competent English at the time of invitation
- meet health and character requirements
Documents required
- your passport biodata page
- evidence of relationship to family members included in the application (e.g. birth certificates for children, marriage certificate for spouse)
- police clearances from any country you have lived for 12 months or more in the last 10 years
- evidence that you have at least competent English at the time you have been invited to apply for the visa
- evidence of a positive skills assessment
- evidence of your qualifications
- evidence of your employment history (e.g. employment reference letters, payslips)
Process
- ensure you have evidence of the points you claim and submit an expression of interest through Skill Select
- wait until you are invited to apply for the visa
- submit an application within 60 days of your invitation
- wait for processing until visa grant