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Skilled – Independent (Migrant) Visa

This visa allows you to migrate to Australia if you have good English language skills and have skills and qualifications in an occupation in need in Australia.

This visa uses a points test to select visa applicants with characteristics needed in the Australian labour market.

You do not require sponsorship to apply for this visa.

Who is this visa for?

This visa is for you if you:

• are under 45 years of age
• have the skills and qualifications that meet the Australian standard for an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL)

The SOL is a list of skilled occupations that are in need in Australia. Each occupation listed on the SOL is allocated a points value for use in the visa assessment process.

What does this visa let you do?

This visa allows you and any secondary applicants included in your visa application to live as permanent residents in Australia.

Australian permanent residents can:

• live and work in Australia on a permanent basis
• study in Australia at school or university
• 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.

This is a permanent residence visa. As a permanent resident, you are permitted to remain in Australia indefinitely. This visa also allows you to travel to and enter Australia for five (5) years from the date the visa is granted. The expiry of this visa does not affect your permanent resident status if you are in Australia. However, if you wish to continue to travel to and from Australia as a permanent resident after the initial visa has expired, you must obtain a Resident Return Visa (RRV). Your eligibility for an RRV will depend on the period that you have resided in Australia.

Points test

This visa has a points test designed to select visa applicants who have characteristics that will help them find a full time job in an occupation that matches their skills and is required in Australia.

The pass mark is the total points you need to score to be eligible for a points–tested General Skilled Migration visa.

What happens if you don't meet the pass mark?

If you have applied for a Skilled – Independent (Migrant) visa (subclass 175) or a Skilled – Sponsored (Migrant) visa (subclass 176) and you score below the pass mark, but above the 'pool mark', your application will be held 'in the pool' for up to two years after assessment.

If the pass mark is lowered at any time in that two year period, and your score is equal to or higher than the new pass mark, your application will be processed further.

Rather than waiting in the pool, you could consider the following visa options if you do not meet the pass mark:

1. If you score 100 points, you may be eligible for a Skilled – Sponsored  visa or a Skilled – Regional Sponsored  visa
   
   
2. If you meet the pool mark for the Skilled – Independent  visa, you can still lodge and register for the Skill Matching Database.  
3. What are the current pass and pool marks?

The table below lists all the current pass and pool marks for the points–tested visas in the General Skilled Migration category.

How often do the pass and pool marks change?

Changes to the pass and pool marks occur to address Australian labour market needs.

You should check the current pass mark immediately before making an application. You will be assessed against the pass and pool mark that is in effect at the time a decision is made on your application.

Points test

The points test pass mark for this visa is 120 points.

If you score less than 120 points but more than 100 points your application will be placed in reserve (the 'pool') and will remain in the pool for two (2) years after assessment. If the pass mark is lowered at any time during the two (2) year period, and your score is equal to or higher than the new pass mark, your application will then be processed further.

If you score less than 100 points, your application will be refused

You may include the following secondary applicants in your visa application:

• partner
• a dependent child of you or your partner
• a dependent relative of you or your partner.

Including secondary applicants in your application
General Skilled Migration definitions

Secondary applicants must meet all of the following requirements:

• Location
• English language ability
• Health
• Character
• Australian Values Statement

 There are no conditions placed on this visa.

If you are granted this visa you are able to live and work in any part of Australia and engage in any type of employment. You and any accompanying secondary applicants must however comply with Australian laws. Failure to do so may affect your ability to remain in Australia.

To ensure that your application is processed as quickly as possible, you should include all of the documents needed to make a complete application. If you do not have all of these documents and you need to lodge your application urgently, you must ensure that you meet the minimum requirements to apply for this visa.

Complete applications

Complete applications are likely to be processed more quickly. A complete application meets all requirements for this visa, with all required documents attached as evidence. Incomplete applications may be delayed or, in some cases, refused.

If you lodge your application online, please ensure you upload all attachments directly to the e Visa system. Please do not send copies of attachments by email, facsimile, post or any other means

Please contact our London office on +442078312149 or info@applyworkvisas.com for consultation or an appointment