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Australian migration matters make the news almost every day. We keep you updated with the most important issues.
New SkillSelect Visa Application System
Effective from 1 July 2012 is a completely new programme for skilled migrants wishing to live and work either temporarily or permanently in Australia.
SkillSelect is a new online system that will record the details of applicants interested in migrating to Australia through an Expression of Interest (EOI). Your EOI will be held on an automated database and may be selected for nomination for a skilled visa by Australian employers or State and Territory governments, or you could be invited by the Australian Government to lodge an independent visa application.
All applicants wishing to apply in the independent skilled, family sponsored skilled, state or territory sponsored skilled, or business skills visa categories will be required to submit an EOI and receive an invitation in order to lodge a visa application.
Currently, there are six different visas for skilled migration visa applications granted either in and outside Australia:
Applications in Australia
- 885 (skilled independent visa)
- 886 (skilled nominated/sponsored visa)
- 487 (skilled regional sponsored visa)
Applications outside Australia
- 175 (skilled independent visa)
- 176 (skilled nominated/sponsored visa)
- 475 (skilled regional sponsored visa).
New Types of Visas (new subclasses)
From 1 July 2012 , the current six types or subclasses of visa will be replaced by three new points tested skilled migration visas and the applicant may be either in or outside Australia when they apply for the visa, and at the time the visa is decided:
- 189 (skilled independent visa) (will replace the 885 and 175 visas)
- 190 (skilled nominated visa) (will replace the 886 and 176 visas)
- 489 (skilled regional visa) (will replace the 487 and 475 visas).
The 485 (skilled graduate visa) and the 476 (skilled recognised graduate visa) which are non points tested skilled migration visas will not change. The 887 (skilled regional) visa will be changed to allow for applications from the new 489 (skilled regional sponsored) visa. The inside or outside Australia location requirements will remain for these three ‘old’ visas (476, 485 and 887).