Skilled- Sponsored (Residence) visa (subclass 886)

This visa is for overseas students who have completed their course studies in Australia and are holders of certain temporary visas to apply for permanent residency.
In applying for this visa, the applicant must either be:

• sponsored by an eligible relative living in a designated area of Australia; or
• nominated by a participating state or territory government agency.

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 complete one or more degrees, diplomas or trade qualifications for award by an Australian educational institution as a result of a course or courses which:

- are registered
- were completed as a result of a total of at least 2 academic years study
- were completed in a total of at least 16 calendar months
- Undertaken in Australia

• Must have completed apprenticeship and the apprenticeship must be closely related to the nominated occupation

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 payments (subject to waiting periods).
• Be eligible for Australian citizenship (subject to the residency eligibility criteria).
• Sponsor people for permanent residence.

Obligations:

• If nominated by a state or territory government, the applicant must:

- remain in the state or territory for a period of at least two years
- keep the state or territory government informed of changes in address details before and after the visa grant
- be prepared to complete surveys and provide information
Application:

• Step 1:

Applicant must be nominated by a state or territory government; or
Sponsored by an eligible relative

• Step 2:

Applicant can lodge the visa application once nominated or sponsored

 

Skilled- Sponsored (Migrant) Visa (Subclass 176)

This visa is for those who are unable to meet the Skilled- Independent requirements. The applicant must be sponsored either by:

• Eligible relative living in Australia; or
• Nominated by a participating state or territory government.

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 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
• Must be nominated by a participating state or territory government; or sponsored by an eligible relative
• 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 and work in Australia on a permanent basis
• Study in Australia at school, Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector or university
• 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.

Obligations:

• If nominated by a state or territory government, the applicant must:

- remain in the state or territory for a period of at least two years
- keep the state or territory government informed of changes in address details before and after the visa grant
- be prepared to complete surveys and provide information
Application:

• Step 1:

Applicant must be nominated by a state or territory government; or
Sponsored by an eligible relative

• Step 2:

Applicant can lodge the visa application once nominated or sponsored