Alternative visa options
The Department of Home Affairs has significantly reduced states and territories nomination allocations this year. Due to the change in Queensland's nomination numbers, the process will be very competitive. Please see below some summary information on skilled visa types that may be an alternative to state nomination.
Please note that this information is general, and should you require individualised advice or assistance, you may wish to seek the services of a Registered Migration Agent or Immigration Lawyer.
The Skilled Independent visa (Subclass 189) is for invited workers with skills Australia requires. It allows the holder to live and work permanently anywhere in Australia. The points test stream requires applicants to be under 45 years old, have points score of 65 or more, have an occupation on the eligible skilled occupation list, in addition to other criteria. This pathway could be an option for those working in a healthcare or teaching occupation, as these occupations are currently prioritised for processing as per Ministerial Direction 100.
The Global Talent visa (Subclass 858) is for exceptionally talented and prominent people who can raise Australia's standing in their field. It allows holders to live and work permanently anywhere in Australia. Candidates must be highly skilled in a future-focussed sector AND be currently earning or likely to earn a salary of $167 500 (Australia's high-income threshold), and meet a number of standard visa criteria. Applicants must lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) on SkillSelect and be invited to apply for this visa.
Employer sponsored visas
People who are working full-time for an Australian employer may be eligible to apply for an employer sponsored visa. These visas allow employers to fill temporary and permanent skilled worker gaps.
The Temporary Skill Shortage visa (Subclass 482) enables employers to sponsor skilled workers to fill critical labour gaps. The visa subclass has three streams: short term, medium term, and labour agreement stream. The duration of the visa and the eligible occupations depend on the stream applied for, and prospective applicants should carefully consider the full eligibility criteria for the relevant stream.
NOTE: Extended pathways to permanent residence. The Department has confirmed that by the end of 2023, the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream of the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) visa will be available. This stream will be open to all TSS holders whose employers wish to sponsor them and will not be limited to occupations on the medium and long-term occupation lists. The eligibility period for the TRT stream will be reduced from three years to two years employment with the sponsoring employer. Applicants will need to meet all other nomination and visa requirements for the TRT stream of the Employer Nomination Scheme visa.
The Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) (Subclass 494) visa enables employers based in Regional Australia to address identified labour shortages within their region by sponsoring skilled workers where Australian employees aren't available. This pathway has an expanded Skills Occupation list with access to over 600 occupations. This visa can be granted for up to five years, and employees must live, work and study in Regional Australia and meet all relevant criteria.
The Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) visa lets skilled workers who are nominated by their employer to live and work in Australia permanently. There are three streams of this subclass - Direct Entry, Labour Agreement and the Temporary Residence Transition stream. Prospective applicants should carefully consider the full eligibility criteria for the relevant stream.
Graduates
For those who have studied in Queensland and completed their studies, the Temporary Graduate visa (Subclass 485) is a temporary visa that allows international students to live, study and work full-time. There are several streams of the Temporary Graduate visa:
Please note that this information is general, and should you require individualised advice or assistance, you may wish to seek the services of a Registered Migration Agent or Immigration Lawyer.
The Skilled Independent visa (Subclass 189) is for invited workers with skills Australia requires. It allows the holder to live and work permanently anywhere in Australia. The points test stream requires applicants to be under 45 years old, have points score of 65 or more, have an occupation on the eligible skilled occupation list, in addition to other criteria. This pathway could be an option for those working in a healthcare or teaching occupation, as these occupations are currently prioritised for processing as per Ministerial Direction 100.
The Global Talent visa (Subclass 858) is for exceptionally talented and prominent people who can raise Australia's standing in their field. It allows holders to live and work permanently anywhere in Australia. Candidates must be highly skilled in a future-focussed sector AND be currently earning or likely to earn a salary of $167 500 (Australia's high-income threshold), and meet a number of standard visa criteria. Applicants must lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) on SkillSelect and be invited to apply for this visa.
Employer sponsored visas
People who are working full-time for an Australian employer may be eligible to apply for an employer sponsored visa. These visas allow employers to fill temporary and permanent skilled worker gaps.
The Temporary Skill Shortage visa (Subclass 482) enables employers to sponsor skilled workers to fill critical labour gaps. The visa subclass has three streams: short term, medium term, and labour agreement stream. The duration of the visa and the eligible occupations depend on the stream applied for, and prospective applicants should carefully consider the full eligibility criteria for the relevant stream.
NOTE: Extended pathways to permanent residence. The Department has confirmed that by the end of 2023, the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream of the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) visa will be available. This stream will be open to all TSS holders whose employers wish to sponsor them and will not be limited to occupations on the medium and long-term occupation lists. The eligibility period for the TRT stream will be reduced from three years to two years employment with the sponsoring employer. Applicants will need to meet all other nomination and visa requirements for the TRT stream of the Employer Nomination Scheme visa.
The Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) (Subclass 494) visa enables employers based in Regional Australia to address identified labour shortages within their region by sponsoring skilled workers where Australian employees aren't available. This pathway has an expanded Skills Occupation list with access to over 600 occupations. This visa can be granted for up to five years, and employees must live, work and study in Regional Australia and meet all relevant criteria.
The Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) visa lets skilled workers who are nominated by their employer to live and work in Australia permanently. There are three streams of this subclass - Direct Entry, Labour Agreement and the Temporary Residence Transition stream. Prospective applicants should carefully consider the full eligibility criteria for the relevant stream.
Graduates
For those who have studied in Queensland and completed their studies, the Temporary Graduate visa (Subclass 485) is a temporary visa that allows international students to live, study and work full-time. There are several streams of the Temporary Graduate visa:
- Graduate Work stream is for international students who have recently graduated with skills and qualifications relevant to occupations that Australia needs. It requires the applicant to have held a student visa in the last six months, hold a qualification on the relevant skilled occupation list and meet all eligibility criteria. The visa duration is usually 18 months, however has temporarily been increased to 24 months.
- Post-Study Work stream is for international students who have recently graduated at degree level or above from an Australian institution. It requires the applicant to have held a student visa in the last six months, and to meet a range of other criteria. The duration of the visa depends on the level of the Australian study qualification. Note that since 1 July 2023, Post-Study Work stream applicants who have a select degree in an area of verified skilled shortage may be eligible for a two-year extension on their visa. See here for more information.
- Second Post-Study Work stream visas are for holders of a Temporary Graduate visa who graduated with a degree from an Australian institution in a regional area. The duration of the visa ranges from one to four years depending on a range of factors. See here for more information on eligibility criteria.
Last published: 4:28 PM, Thursday, 14 September 2023