Skilled Sponsored - International Student

This visa is aimed at International Students  who have completed their study in Australia, who wish to apply for permanent residency and have State or Territory governments sponsorship or suitable Australian relatives to sponsor them. You must be able to achieve the pass mark for this visa in the General Points Test.

This is a permanent visa  allowing the holder to travel to, enter and remain in Australia for a period of 5 years from the date of grant and may be renewed at the end of each 5 year period.

You must be able to achieve the pass mark of 65 points for this visa in the General Points Test. Use the Austart Free Points Calculator to see how you score.

Main Criteria

Must be under 45 years of age and have nominated an appropriate occupation and satisfy 1 of the following 5 attributes;

1. You meet the 2 year study requirement and have completed your course within the last 6 months AND hold an eligible student visa or eligible bridging visa or you hold a substantive visa (excluding certain student visas) and have held an eligible student visa in the past 6 months;

2. You hold a 476 (Recognised Graduate) visa and your qualification relates to your nominated occupation;

3. You hold a 485 (Skilled Graduate) visa, meet the 2 year study requirement and your qualification relates to your nominated occupation;

4. You hold a 471 (Trade Skills Training) visa which you have held for at least 2 years and your nominated occupation is closely related to your completed apprenticeship;

5. You hold a 495 (Skilled Independent Regional), 496 (Skilled Designated Area Sponsored), 475 or 487 (Regional Sponsored) visa and have not held the 495 or 496 visa before. You must have held the particular visa for at least 2 years.

AND  

• You will be required to meet health, public interest, character and special return criteria.
• You will be required to demonstrate Competent level English language
• Any family members included in your application, over 18 years, must achieve a Functional  level English score or pay the English language education charge;
• Your nominated occupation must on the relevant Skilled Occupations List (SOL).
• You must be able to obtain a positive Skills Assessment , suitable for your nominated occupation, by a relevant assessing authority. This must be applied for before you make your visa application.
• You are not required to have specific work experience but may be able to claim extra points if you have.

You must be sponsored either ;

• By a relative  aged over 18 years who is an Australian citizen, Permanent Resident or an eligible New Zealand Citizen. Your relative can be related to you, your spouse or to your interdependent partner as;
  • a parent, adoptive parent or step-parent;
  • a non-dependent son or daughter, or an adoptive non-dependent son or daughter or a step non-dependent son or daughter;
  • a brother or sister, an adoptive brother or sister or a step-brother or step-sister;
  • an aunt or uncle, an adoptive aunt or uncle, or a step-aunt or step-uncle;
  • a nephew or niece, an adoptive nephew or niece or a step-nephew or step-niece

OR  

• You must be nominated by a State or Territory  where your skilled occupation is on the occupation lists for that particular State or Territory Migration Plan.

There are also several other criteria where you may be eligible for extra points.

Request an Austart International Student Assessment  - the quick and easy way to find your most suitable visa.