Could State Sponsored Migration to Australia be an option for you?
STATE SPONSORSHIP – PERMANENT VISA (176)
If you cannot score enough points to apply for a Skilled Independent visa, you might want to consider being sponsored by a State or Territory. If your skills are in demand in the state where you want to live, you can apply to the state for sponsorship. Each state has their own Skills in Demand list.
To apply for this visa, you must be under 45 years of age, have an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) as well as the state Skills in Demand list, have recent work experience in your occupation and have good English language skills. You must also reach a pass mark of 100 points.
This visa allows you to live permanently in Australia. You are committed to living in the sponsoring state for the first two years and then you can choose to go elsewhere (although the state government would hope that by then you would be well settled and want to stay where you are!).
As this is a permanent visa, you are entitled to Medicare cover and would be able to sponsor your relatives for a permanent resident visa once you are settled.
STATE SPONSORSHIP – PROVISIONAL VISA (475)
If your occupation is not on the state Skills in Demand list for a permanent visa, you might consider a provisional visa to live in a regional area of a particular state. Each state has their own regional skilled occupations list.
To apply for this visa, you must be under 45 years of age, have an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) as well as the state regional skilled occupations list, have recent work experience in your occupation and have good English language skills. You must also reach a pass mark of 100 points.
This visa allows you to live for up to three years in Australia and you can apply for permanent residency after you have lived for two years and worked for at least 12 months in the sponsoring regional area.
As this is a provisional visa, you are not entitled to Medicare so would need to take out private health cover and you cannot sponsor your relatives until such time as you obtain permanent residency.
For more information, see the following web sites: -
www.LiveInVictoria.vic.gov.au
www.melbourne.org.au
www.vicnet.net.au
www.migration.vic.gov.au
www.immigration.sa.gov.au
www.immi.gov.au/migration/skilled/sir.htm
www.migration.qld.gov.au
www.business.nsw.gov.au
www.migration.nt.gov.au
www.development.tas.gov.au
Essential Information |
Permanent Visa Information |
Temporary Visa Information |