Skilled- independent (Residence) Visa (Subclass 885)

This visa is for students who have:

• completed their course studies in the last six months in Australia; and
• are holders of certain temporary visas

to apply for permanent residency.
Sponsorship is not required to apply for this visa. This visa currently uses points test to determine the visa applicant’s skills and attributes needed in the Australian labour market.
Basic Eligibility:

• Basic eligibility options are divided into:
• Overseas Student Visa Holders
• Recognised Graduate (Subclass 476) Visa and Graduate (Subclass 485) Visa Holders
• Trade Skills Training Visa Holders

Overseas student Visa Holders
Must be under 50 years of age
Must have an IELTS score of 6; 2 years validity
Must obtain a positive skills assessment for the nominated application. Nominated occupation must be listed in the SOL
Must have completed course studies within the last six months prior to application
Must have applied to have skilled assessed by the relevant assessing authority
Must hold and eligible visa (including all secondary applicants)
Must be in Australia for the lodgement of the visa application and the decision for the application.
Recognised Graduate (Subclass 476) Visa and Graduate (Subclass 485) Visa Holders
Refer to visa Subclass 476 and Subclass 485
Trade Skills Training Visa Holders
Must be under 50 years of age
Must have a minimum IELTS score of 6; 2 years validity
Must obtain a positive skills assessment for the nominated application. Nominated occupation must be listed in the SOL
Must have completed apprenticeship and the apprenticeship must be closely related to the nominated occupation
Must hold and eligible visa (including all secondary applicants)
Must be in Australia for the lodgement of the visa application and the decision for the application.

With this visa the applicant can:

• Live work and study in Australia on a permanent basis.
• Receive subsidised healthcare through Medicare and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
• Access certain social security payments (subject to waiting periods).
• Be eligible for Australian citizenship (subject to the residency eligibility criteria).
• Sponsor people for permanent residence.

Skilled- Independent (Migrant) Visa (Subclass 175)

This visa is for people with skills in demand in the Australian labour market. The applicant need not be sponsored to apply for this visa.
This visa currently uses points test to determine the visa applicant’s skills and attributes needed in the Australian labour market.
This visa enables the applicant and any secondary applicants included in the visa application to live as permanent residents in Australia. 
Basic Eligibility:

• Must be under 50 years of age
• Must have an IELTS score of 6; 2 years validity
• Must obtain a positive skills assessment for the nominated application. Nominated occupation must be listed in the SOL
• Must have applied for a skills assessment before the visa application is lodged
• Must have completed course studies within the last six months prior to application or have recent skilled employment experience for at least one year in the last 2 years
• The applicant may be in Australia during the application of this visa unless either condition 8503*, 8535** or any other condition preventing any further stay in Australia.

Restrictions:      
*8503: no further stay
**8535: can only apply for student visa
With this visa the applicant can also:

• Live, work and study in Australia on a permanent basis
• Receive subsidised healthcare through Medicare and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)
• Access certain social security payment (subject to waiting periods)
• Be eligible for Australian citizenship

Sponsor people for a permanent residence.