EMPLOYER SPONSORED SKILLED MIGRATION SCHEME

Employer sponsored migration scheme allows employers to sponsor highly skilled foreign workers who are currently in Australia on a temporary basis or located outside of Australia for permanent residence to fill vacancies in their business.

 

There are 2 employer sponsored visa categories:

 

• Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186)

• Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (Subclass 187)

 

Each visa category is made up of 3 streams:

 

• the Temporary Residence Transition stream is for subclass 457 visa holders who have worked for their employer for at least the last 2 years in the nominated occupation and the employer wants to offer them a permanent position in that same occupation.

• the Direct Entry stream is for applicants who are untested in the Australian labour market, or have not held a subclass 457 visa for at least the last 2 years with their nominating employer or who are applying directly from outside Australia.

 

the Agreement stream is for applicants who are being sponsored by an employer through a tailored and negotiated labour agreement or regional migration agreement.

 

For Points Based Skilled Migration to Australia, you must be able to satisfy the following requirements to make an application:

 

Invitation to apply:

 

You can only apply for this visa if you have been invited to apply for the visa. The invitation will be issued subject to a specified timeframe in which you are to lodge your application.

 

Age:

You must be under 50 years of age when you are invited to apply.

 

English language:

The threshold English language requirement is Competent English, which is an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test result showing a minimum score of 6 in each of the four components of the IELTS test or, an Occupational English Test (OET) attaining a score of at least B in each of the four components of an OET as specified by the Minister. For some occupations, the assessing authority may require a higher level of English as part of their skills assessment process.

 

You also meet the English language threshold if you hold a valid passport from, and are a citizen of, one of the following countries:

• the United Kingdom;

• the United States of America;

• Canada;

• the Republic of Ireland; or

• New Zealand.

 

Skills Assessment:

 

Before you receive an invitation, you must have had your skills assessed as suitable for your occupation by an assessing authority for your nominated occupation.

 

You also need to find out if the occupation you have nominated requires you to be registered, licensed, or be a member of a professional or industry organisation.

 

Where an Australian qualification is used as the basis for a skills assessment it must have been awarded as a result of undertaking a full-time CRICOS registered course while being the holder of an eligible student visa.

 

In addition to your skills assessment, you may need to obtain licensing or registration in your occupation before you can work in the state or territory where you settle. You may also require additional training or membership of a particular industry association. Information on licensing, registration, industry associations and a number of other skills recognition topics is available from the department’s website www.immi.gov.au/asri/

Evidence of this suitable skills assessment must be available at the time you are invited to apply. If you are not able to satisfy these requirements, you will NOT be eligible for Points Based Skilled Migration.

 

Points Test:

 

If you apply under the:

• Skilled – Independent;

• Skilled – Nominated; or

• Skilled – Regional Sponsored (Provisional);

categories, you will be assessed against a points test.

 

Points are awarded for:

• age;

• English language ability;

• overseas employment;

• Australian employment;

• Professional Year;

• educational qualifi cations;

• Australian study;

• Credentialled community language;

• studying and living in regional Australia;

• partner skills;

• State/Territory government nomination; and

• Designated Area sponsorship.

 

Pass mark:

 

You must score sufficient points to reach the pass mark. The pass mark currently is 60 and changes from time to time.