General Skilled Visas

Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) Skilled State Nominated Visa (Subclass 190) Skilled Regional - Provisional (Subclass 489) / Permanent (Subclass 887) Skilled Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) Skilled Recognised Graduate Visa (Subclass 476) Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Subclass 491

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Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)​

The Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) is a highly sought-after permanent residency visa for skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer or a state/territory government. This visa is based on a points system, and the success of the application depends entirely on the applicant’s ability to meet the eligibility criteria. It allows successful applicants to live and work anywhere in Australia indefinitely.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Skilled Independent Visa, the primary applicant must:

• Be between the ages of 18 and 44.

• Have at least competent English.

• Score a minimum number of points on the points test (the pass mark is currently 60 points).

• Obtain a positive skills assessment for their nominated occupation, which must be on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).

• Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) via SkillSelect.

• Meet the health and character requirements.

Conditions

Once invited to apply, a valid visa application must be lodged within 60 days. It is crucial to have all required documentation prepared in advance to meet this deadline. This permanent residence status is for an indefinite period, but a Resident Return Visa (RRV) is required after five years if the visa holder wishes to travel in and out of Australia.

Independent Migration

The Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) (Points - tested) Stream does not require sponsorship by an employer, State/Territory Government, or a relative inside Australia. This is an independent visa with eligibility determined by a skills assessment of an occupation on the MLTSSL. Get in touch with Konnecting registered migration agents today and check your eligibility.  

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Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)

​Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) point tested permanent residence visa for skilled workers not sponsored by employers, relatives, or state/territory which allows the applicants to live in Australia as long as they wish with full working rights. The success of the application entirely depends on the applicant's capability of meeting the criteria to be eligible for this visa. Like the other skilled migration visa subclasses, Visa 189 is open to applications made inside or outside of Australia. When the application is submitted to the department while the applicant is in Australia holding a substantive visa, a bridging visa will be granted that will take effect once the current substantive visa expires to allow the holder to lawfully remain in Australia while waiting for the decision of the application lodged. If holding a BVA when the applicant applied for a Subclass 189, he will be given a BVC. That means the applicant will not be able to travel outside Australia while the application is being processed.

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Skilled State Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)​

The Skilled State Nominated Visa (Subclass 190) is an Australian skilled migration permanent resident visa for applicants who receive a nomination from a State or Territory Government. Each state and territory maintains its own list of occupations they require, which is a reflection of local labour market conditions and skills shortages.

Eligibility

To be eligible for a Subclass 190 Visa, the primary applicant must:

• Be under 45 years of age.

• Have competent English or better (at least IELTS 6.0 or equivalent).

• Have a positive skills assessment for an occupation on the relevant state/territory occupation list and the Combined List of Eligible Skilled Occupations.

• Meet the minimum pass mark on the points test (currently 60 points).

• Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) via SkillSelect.

• Be nominated by a State or Territory Government.

• Receive an invitation to apply from the Department of Home Affairs.

• Meet health and character requirements.

Conditions

This is a permanent visa with no restrictions, allowing the visa holder to remain indefinitely in Australia with full working rights. Applicants are expected to live in the nominating state or territory for at least two years after the visa is granted or they arrive in Australia. Our in-house skilled registered migration agents can assist you with assessing your 190 visa eligibility. 

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Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491)​

This visa is for skilled workers who are nominated by a State or Territory Government or sponsored by an eligible family member to live and work in regional Australia. It is a five-year provisional visa that requires a minimum score of 65 points on the points test.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Subclass 491 visa, the primary applicant must:

• Be under 45 years of age at the time of invitation.

• Have a positive skills assessment in a nominated occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list.

• Have at least Competent English.

• Score a minimum of 65 points on the points test.

• Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) via SkillSelect.

• Be nominated by a State or Territory Government or be sponsored by an eligible relative.

• Meet health and character requirements.

Conditions

This visa requires the holder to live, work, and study in a designated regional area of Australia. After holding the visa for at least three years and meeting the income requirements, the visa holder can apply for the permanent residency visa Subclass 191.

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Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa (Subclass 191)

The Subclass 191 visa is the new permanent residency pathway for holders of the Subclass 491 visa. It allows skilled workers who have lived and worked in regional Australia to reside there permanently.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Subclass 191 visa, applicants must have:

• Held a Subclass 491 visa for at least three years.

• Lived, worked, and studied in a designated regional area for at least three years while holding the provisional visa.

• Complied with the conditions of their provisional visa.

• Met the taxable income requirements for at least three of the last five income years.

This visa is a crucial part of Australia's regional development strategy, and its streamlined process makes it an attractive option for skilled migrants committed to contributing to Australia's regions.

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​Independent Migration: No.

Employer Nomination: Not required.

State/Territory Nomination: Required if no Relative Sponsorship.

Family/Relative Sponsorship: Required if no State/Territory Nomination.

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Employment Prospects:

The Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa is generally used for applicants who do not have enough points to apply for the Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) (Points-tested) Stream, or Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190). It is a stepping stone to PR and is used to fill Regional skill and worker shortages. 

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Skilled Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)

1. Post-Vocational Education Work stream

This stream is for international students with an eligible qualification and skills that correspond to an occupation on the list of eligible occupations. The visa is valid for 18 months once granted. Specific requirements include:

• Nominating an occupation on the Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).

• A positive skills assessment for the nominated occupation from the relevant assessing authority.

• Meeting the Australian study requirement in the past six months.

• The qualification used to meet the Australian study requirement must be closely related to the nominated skilled occupation.

2. Post-Higher Education Work stream

This stream is for international students who were granted their first student visa on or after November 5, 2011, and have graduated with a higher education degree from a CRICOS-registered Australian provider. The visa is valid for up to four years depending on the applicant's qualification. Specific requirements include:

• First student visa granted on or after November 5, 2011.

• Holding an eligible qualification awarded by a CRICOS-registered Australian university or education provider.

• Meeting the Australian study requirement in the past six months.

Eligibility 

​​To be eligible for the Skilled Graduate Visa, applicants must submit supporting documents at the time of application to the Department of Home Affairs (DIBP). Eligibility includes:

• Being under 50 years of age.

• Holding an eligible visa.

• Meeting the English language requirement.

• Meeting health and character requirements.

• Having adequate health insurance in Australia.

Conditions

Condition 8501 is imposed, requiring the visa holder to have adequate health insurance for their stay in Australia.

• Independent Migration: Yes.

• Employer Nomination: Not required.

• State/Territory Government Nomination: Not required.

• Family/Relative Sponsorship: Not required.

• Permanent Migration Pathway: The Temporary Graduate visa (Subclass 485) is a crucial stepping stone to permanent residency in Australia. While holding this visa, it is possible to apply for other permanent visas, including:

• General Skilled Migration: Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189), Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190), and the Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489).

• Employer-Sponsored Visas: Temporary Work (Skilled) Visa - Subclass 457, Skills in Demand Visa (SID Visa Medium Term), Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) - Subclass 186, and Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) - Subclass 187.​

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Skilled Recognised Graduate Visa (Subclass 476)

The Skilled Recognised Graduate Visa (Subclass 476) was an 18-month temporary visa for recent engineering graduates from overseas universities specified by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA). It allowed graduates to live, study, and work in Australia to gain skilled work experience.

Update: The Subclass 476 visa was permanently closed to new applications on July 1, 2022. Existing visa holders can use the visa until it expires, but new applicants must consider alternative skilled visa pathways for 2025.

Eligibility (when active)

Applicants were required to:

• Be under 31 years of age at the time of application.

• Have completed an engineering degree or higher qualification at a recognised institution within the last 24 months.

• Meet the English language requirement.

• Not have previously held a Subclass 485 or Subclass 476 visa.

• Apply either inside or outside Australia.

Conditions

The 476 visa was valid for 18 months. No employer nomination, state/territory sponsorship, or family sponsorship was required.

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Pathway to Permanent Residence (Now via Alternative Visas)

The 476 visa provided an opportunity for engineering graduates to gain work experience that could support future permanent residence applications. While Subclass 476 is now closed, current alternatives for 2025 include:

• Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485): for eligible international students graduating from Australian institutions.

• Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491): for skilled workers sponsored by a state/territory or family in regional Australia.

• Employer-Sponsored Visa options: such as the Skills in Demand (SID) Visa (Subclass 482), which offers a pathway to permanent residency through the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme or Subclass 191 Skilled Regional Permanent Residency.
  Employment Prospects: Contact us to see if our in-house recruitment consultant can connect you with an employer.

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Skilled Work Regional Visa – Subclass 491

The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491) is a points-tested, 5-year visa for skilled workers who want to live and work in regional Australia, providing a clear pathway to permanent residency through the Subclass 191 visa.

The Subclass 491 is a provisional visa designed for skilled workers to live and work in regional Australia. Most of Australia, with the exception of major cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, is considered a designated regional area for migration purposes. Visa holders can stay for up to five years and can apply for permanent residency after three years, provided they meet the income threshold requirement and live/work in a regional area.

Eligibility

To be eligible, a candidate must:

• Be nominated by a state or territory government agency, or have an eligible relative sponsor them.

• Be under 45 years of age.

• Have an occupation on a relevant skilled occupation list.

• Have a suitable skills assessment for the occupation.

• Satisfy the points test and be invited to apply.

• Meet health and character requirements.

Independent Migration: No.

Employer Nomination: No.

State/Territory Government Nomination: Yes.

Family/Relative Sponsorship: Yes.

Permanent Migration Pathway: Yes. The visa holder will be eligible to apply for a permanent visa after having worked for three years on a Subclass 491 visa.

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Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa – Subclass 491

The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491) is a cornerstone of Australia's 2025 migration strategy, designed to address skills shortages and drive growth in regional areas. This points-tested, five-year provisional visa offers a direct and clear pathway to permanent residency.

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Key Streams of the Subclass 491 Visa

Main Applicant Stream

This visa is for skilled workers who want to live and work in designated regional areas of Australia. As a primary applicant, you can stay in Australia for up to five years with full work, study, and travel rights during this period. The visa is granted based on your skills and qualifications, with nomination from either a state/territory government or an eligible relative.

• Permanent Migration Pathway: After holding this visa and living and working in a designated regional area for three years, you are eligible to apply for the permanent Skilled Regional (Permanent) Visa (Subclass 191), provided you meet the minimum taxable income threshold.

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Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa - Subsequent entrant

This visa is for a family member of an existing Subclass 491 visa holder who wishes to join them in Australia. To qualify, you must be an eligible member of the family unit of the primary visa holder. This visa allows you to live, work, and study in a designated regional area for the same five-year period as the main applicant.

General Visa Characteristics

• Independent Migration: No.

• Employer Nomination: Not required.

• State/Territory Government Nomination:Yes, required for the main applicant stream if not sponsored by an eligible relative.

• Family/Relative Sponsorship:Yes, required if not nominated by a state or territory government.

• Permanent Migration Pathway:Yes. The visa holder can apply for a permanent visa after three years of work and residence in a regional area.

Employment Prospects: 491 Visa (Skilled Work Regional Visa) Provisional replaced the489 family and state sponsored visas.