What this visa lets you do
- Stay in Australia permanently
- Work and study anywhere in Australia
- Enrol in Medicare, Australia's public health care scheme
- Sponsor eligible relatives to come to Australia
- Travel to and from Australia for 5 years
- Apply for Australian citizenship, if eligible
- Attend free English classes through the Adult Migrant English Program, if eligible
Key requirements
- Submit an expression of interest (EOI) in SkillSelect and be invited to apply
- Be under 45 when invited
- Have an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list
- Have a suitable skills assessment for that occupation
- Score at least 65 points on the points test
- Have at least Competent English when invited
- Meet health and character requirements
How invitations work
You submit an EOI in SkillSelect and are ranked against other intending applicants. Invitations are issued regularly. If you turn 45 after you submit your EOI but before you're invited, you won't be invited.
Family members can be included in your application. Family members aged 18 or over with less than functional English may need to pay a second instalment charge. For this visa that charge is AUD 4,885.
Processing priorities
Home Affairs prioritises applications under Ministerial Direction No. 122. Applications in priority sectors — construction, healthcare, teaching, agriculture, aquaculture, fishing and resources — and applicants who were in Australia when they applied are currently being processed sooner.
Points-testedYou'll need at least 65 points. Your invitation states the score you must have when your application is assessed — it may be higher than 65. Estimate your points.