Skilled Independent (subclass 175)
The Skilled - Independent (subclass 175) visa is often the best option for those who wish to immigrate to Australia but do not have a family member or Australian state or territory government to sponsor them.
This permanent resident visa allows the candidate to remain in Australia indefinitely and also to enter and travel to Australia for five years from the date the visa is granted. Any secondary applicants included in the visa application can live, work and / or study in Australia.
On fulfilling the residency eligibility criteria the candidate and accompanying dependant/s are eligible for Australian citizenship.
The offshore Skilled - Independent visa is assessed on a points-based system, with 120 points required to pass and 100 points required to be placed within a reserve pool.
This permanent resident visa allows the candidate to remain in Australia indefinitely and also to enter and travel to Australia for five years from the date the visa is granted. Any secondary applicants included in the visa application can live, work and / or study in Australia.
On fulfilling the residency eligibility criteria the candidate and accompanying dependant/s are eligible for Australian citizenship.
The offshore Skilled - Independent visa is assessed on a points-based system, with 120 points required to pass and 100 points required to be placed within a reserve pool.
Main Applicant Eligibility
Age - Applicants must be at least 18 years old and younger than 45 at the time of application.
English language - In most cases, applicants must have "vocational" or “competent” English. This means that they must speak English well enough to communicate in a work environment in Australia.
Nominated occupation – In order to apply for a skilled visa, applicants must have the skills and qualifications that meet the Australian standard for an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) Once applicants nominate an occupation, they must have their skills assessed by a government appointed Australian Assessing Authority in order to determine if their skills are appropriate for this visa type.
Qualifications - To qualify for most kinds of skilled visas, applicants must have either university or trade qualifications. There are some exceptions where substantial work experience might suffice. The relevant Skills Assessment Authority will assess all certificates and work experience skills.
Recent work experience - Applicants are required to have recent work experience in their nominated occupation at the time the visa is lodged. However, this requirement is waived for students with Australian qualifications (generally onshore applicants).
Recent work experience exemption - Applicants who have studied for at least two years in Australia may have the work experience requirement waived if they lodge their skilled visa application within six months of completing their studies.
The applicant must pass all health and character requirements.
In most cases secondary applicants will need to meet requirements of location, English language ability, health and character. These requirements may vary depending on the type of visa. Any applicant aged 18 years or over will have to sign an Australian values statement.
English language - In most cases, applicants must have "vocational" or “competent” English. This means that they must speak English well enough to communicate in a work environment in Australia.
Nominated occupation – In order to apply for a skilled visa, applicants must have the skills and qualifications that meet the Australian standard for an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) Once applicants nominate an occupation, they must have their skills assessed by a government appointed Australian Assessing Authority in order to determine if their skills are appropriate for this visa type.
Qualifications - To qualify for most kinds of skilled visas, applicants must have either university or trade qualifications. There are some exceptions where substantial work experience might suffice. The relevant Skills Assessment Authority will assess all certificates and work experience skills.
Recent work experience - Applicants are required to have recent work experience in their nominated occupation at the time the visa is lodged. However, this requirement is waived for students with Australian qualifications (generally onshore applicants).
Recent work experience exemption - Applicants who have studied for at least two years in Australia may have the work experience requirement waived if they lodge their skilled visa application within six months of completing their studies.
The applicant must pass all health and character requirements.
Secondary applicant eligibility
Secondary applicants that may be included in a permanent or provisional visa application are spouse / interdependent partner / dependent child of main applicant or spouse or interdependent partner / dependent relative of main applicant or spouse.In most cases secondary applicants will need to meet requirements of location, English language ability, health and character. These requirements may vary depending on the type of visa. Any applicant aged 18 years or over will have to sign an Australian values statement.