facebookpixel
Select Page
MIGRATION

General Skilled
Migration Visas

The General Skilled Migration (GSM) program is for individual skilled workers who are interested in migrating to Australia based on their age, qualifications, English language abilities, skills and employment experience.

Currently, the GSM program includes the following visa categories:

  • Skilled Independent (Subclass 189) Visa points-tested stream (“the 189 Visa”),
  • Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190) Visa (“the 190 Visa”),
  • Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (Subclass 491) Visa (“the 491 Visa”), and
  • Permanent Resident (Skilled Regional) (Subclass 191) Visa (“the 191 Visa”).

Of these four categories, the 189 and 190 Visas are points-test based permanent visas. The former is for applicants who rely solely on their own skills, qualifications and work experience, whilst the latter is for those who are nominated by an Australian State or Territory.  The 491 Visa is also a points-test based but a five-year provisional visa designed to encourage foreign skilled workers to work and live in a designated regional area.  The 191 Visa is the pathway to permanent residence for the 491 Visa holders who have lived, worked and studied in a designated regional area only for at least three years.  It is not available for new applications until November 2022

The points test contains the following qualification factors for points:

  • age qualifications,
  • English language qualifications,
  • educational qualifications,
  • employment experience qualifications,
  • specialist educational qualifications,
  • Australian study qualifications,
  • credentialed community language qualifications,
  • study in designated region area qualifications,
  • partner qualifications,
  • State/Territory nomination qualifications, and
  • designated regional area nomination or sponsorship qualifications.

To be eligible to apply for the 189 Visa, applicants must: 

  • be able to nominate an occupation that is in the current Skilled Occupation Lists specified for each of these visas and obtain a positive skills assessment outcome from the relevant skills assessing bodies,
  • score at least 65 (the current passmark) on the points test in order to be able to submit an Expression of Interest (“EOI”) with SkillSelect, and be invited by SkillSelect to apply for the visa,
  • have at least competent English language ability at the time of invitation,
  • be under 45 years of age at the time of invitation,
  • lodge visa application within 60 days from the date of invitation with genuine evidence of various qualifications claimed in the points test,
  • meet health and character requirements, and
  • not have provided any false or misleading information to the relevant skills assessment body and the Department of Home Affairs.

For the 190 Visa, applicants must, in addition to the above 189 Visa eligibility requirements, be nominated by an Australian State or Territory.  Each State or Territory has its own requirements for the 190 Visa nomination.

For the 491 Visa, applicants must, again in additional to the above 189 Visa eligibility requirements, be either sponsored by an eligible Australian relative living in a designated regional area or nominated by a State or Territory.  Further, each State or Territory has their own requirements for the 491 Visa nomination.

If you are interested in apply for a 189, 190 or 491 Visa, we recommend you contact us to set up an initial consultation for a preliminary assessment of your eligibility.

 

WHO YOU’LL WORK WITH

David Stratton

Managing Director

Ryan Curtis-Griffiths

Director

Heather Dzviti

Senior Lawyer

Helen Zheng

Special Counsel

Melissa Vincenty

Senior Lawyer

Rebecca Henzel

Senior Lawyer

Kiri Stefanidis

Lawyer

Lili Sibic

Lawyer

Chloe Wang

Legal Assistant

Shalini Kodikara

Paralegal

Topics We’ve Written About

New Subclass 482 Skills in Demand (SID) Visa

New Subclass 482 Skills in Demand (SID) Visa

Australia’s NEW Skills in Demand (SID) visa (Subclass 482), has replaced the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa from 7 December 2024. What is the SID (subclass 482) Visa? The SID visa is a temporary visa for critical skill shortages in the Australian workforce. It...

read more
Australian visa changes: Subclass 482 TSS visa

Australian visa changes: Subclass 482 TSS visa

Australia has announced a series of changes to the Subclass 482 Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS) visa, from 24 November 2024, pending parliamentary approval. These updates are being introduced by the Australian government to broaden access for skilled candidates and...

read more
Family Violence provisions for Skilled visa applications

Family Violence provisions for Skilled visa applications

The Department of Affairs has extended family violence provisions to seven Skilled visa subclass, allowing secondary applicants to access family violence protections. These Skilled visas include: Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) Regional Sponsored Migration...

read more

Testimonials

Professionalism, Quality, Responsiveness, Value

“Friendly, professional service. Subject matter promptly dealt with. Will recommend them.”

Professionalism, Quality, Responsiveness, Value

“Ryan Curtis-Griffiths and Jacqui Azouz provided excellent legal work.  I am a lawyer in the United States so I expect a lot.  And I got it from Ryan and Jacqui.  They are knowledgeable, efficient and very easy to work with. I will use them whenever I have an opportunity. ”

Professionalism, Responsiveness, Value

“I cannot find any words to describe the professionalism of thos firm. Everyone from the reception to financial services and not to say Mae who helped out was absolutely amazing. I had Richard Hamilton who was definitely someone I will always have to represent me if I need any further help. Keep up the fantastic work ?  ”

Reliable Lawyer and Good Expertise

“Richard Hamilton is a very genuine lawyer with very good expertise, good values and ethics of responsibility. He is not one of the lawyers in the market who would deceive you with false hopes. I found him very reliable which is something you need when you are going through a difficult family court case. Richard is also very good in returning to calls and emails. I definitely recommend him.”

Excellent services and advice

“Ryan has been my migration lawyer of a number of years now and has been successful in obtaining PR and Australian Citizenship for me. His advice is clear, straight forward and tailored to an individual’s needs. He puts in the effort and time and always cares for his clients. Overall, I received a first-class service from him, and I highly recommend him to anyone looking for migration advice.”

The best immigration service provider in Mel

“In all respect to achieve your PR and the pathway for citizenship was done very professionally ! Special thanks to Rayan ( MD) who helped me in all the way throughout to achieve goal.”

Best choice

“Ryan Curtis-Griffiths knowledge of immigration law, a skills in preparing all documents, excellent communication skills, rapid response to my inquiries, thoughtful and good listener.”

Professional Service with Attention to Detail

“We engaged Nevett Ford Lawyers to prepare our 186 Business Nomination and Visa Application. Ryan provided outstanding service by assisting us with all his experience in the industry. It was the best decision to work with Ryan as he always listened to our instructions and assisted with timely advise. I would definitely recommend Ryan and his team to anyone looking for a Immigration lawyer.”

Professional Service and Prompt Response

“Ryan and his team made sure the process of 186 Business Nomination and Visa application were as seamless as possible. We always received prompt response and correct advise regarding the matter. I would happily recommend Ryan and Nevett Ford to anyone who wants assistance with 186 visas.”

Best Lawyers in the business

“Looked after me. Always made sure I knew what was going on and why, but also made sure my mental health was top priority.”

Very professional team

“Great professional team, best communicating with the customer.”

Legal expertise, Client focused service, Courtesy

“Nevett Ford Lawyers, including paralegals and administrative staff, displayed professional and reliable services. All staff with whom I interacted responded promptly to my queries and requests. Their polite and friendly manner was appreciated and reassuring.”

Professional, Efficient & Supportive

“A Positive outcome of Permanent Residency from a Ministerial Intervention is what we achieved through Nevett Ford Lawyers. David Stratton and his Team have been highly efficient and professional along the entire journey through the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) and Ministerial Intervention. The Team managed our file with great care and patience while supporting us through the entire process during the past four years. We would highly recommend Nevett Ford Lawyers for their Professionalism and Task Accomplishments.”

Ryan and Shalini worked extremely hard for us

“Ryan and Shalini’s communication skills were what really stood out to us. They replied to emails most of the time within minutes and did a good job on helping us stay realistic about expectations as our case was extremely difficult and had a high chance of failure, they did a brilliant job of getting the visa through for my partner.”

Service provided was professional & prompt

“Great communication, friendly interaction with all staff (including reception), prompt and did what they said they would do.”

Navigating a tricky workplace case

“Generous with their time. Fair and pragmatic advice from which I was able to make an informed decision.”

    Contact us


    If you are overseas, please call our office on +61 3 9614 7111 between the hours of 9:00am to 5:30pm Australian Eastern Standard Time. Outside of these hours, please indicate your email address below and we will reply to you as soon as possible.