SkillSelect is an online system that enables skilled workers interested in migrating to Australia to record their details to be considered for a skilled visa through an Expression of Interest (EOI). Intending migrants could be found and nominated for skilled visas by Australian employers or state and territory governments, or they could be invited by the Australian Government to lodge a visa application.

About SkillSelect

SkillSelect is an online system that enables skilled workers interested in migrating to Australia to record their details to be considered for a skilled visa through an Expression of Interest (EOI). People intending to migrate to Australia may be found and nominated for skilled visas by Australian employers or state and territory governments, or they may be invited by the Australian Government to lodge a visa application.

SkillSelect will be implemented on 1 July 2012. All intending migrants interested in the independent skilled, family sponsored skilled, state or territory sponsored skilled, or business skills programs will be required to submit an EOI and receive an invitation in order to lodge a visa application.

Skilled workers

SkillSelect—Skilled Workers Expressing Interest in Migrating to Australia

If you want to migrate to Australia as a skilled migrant and you have the skills we need you will need to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect.

You will also be able to express interest in being sponsored by an employer.

Although the key features have been decided, further changes are possible and this information must not be taken as a final description of how SkillSelect will operate. In particular, no action of any kind should be taken on the basis that this will be the final detail and process as further changes to the Migration Regulations to give effect to the final details and process of SkillSelect are likely.

If you apply for a General Skilled Migration visa on or after 1 July 2011 and you are not nominated by a State or Territory Government, you must nominate an occupation from Schedule 1 of the Skilled Occupation List.

If you apply for a General Skilled Migration visa on or after 1 July 2011 and you are nominated by a State or Territory Government you must nominate an occupation from either Schedule 1 or Schedule 2 of the Skilled Occupation List.

SOL Schedule 1

SOL Schedule 2

If you apply for a General Skilled Migration visa on or after 1 July 2011 and you are nominated by a State or Territory Government must nominate an occupation from either Schedule 1 or Schedule 2 of the Skilled Occupation List.

For advice on the most suitable route for you to emigrate to Australia please contact Emigrating Solutions by phone or contact form.

Family members who wish to migrate to Australia under one of the visa categories outlined below must have sponsorship from a relative in Australia to be eligible. The sponsor must be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen.

The term 'relative' in all of the below categories refers to:

• Child;
• Parent;
• Brother or sister;
• Grandparent;
• Grandchild;
• Aunt or uncle;
• Niece or nephew ;or
• Step relative of the same degree.

Aged Dependent Relative Category

Those who can apply under the Aged Dependent Relative category are aged persons who are single, widowed or divorced and who are financially dependent on a relative who lives in Australia.

Remaining Relative Category

Those who can apply under the Remaining Relative category are people who are the brother, sister or child (or step relative to the same degree) of a person in Australia who, if they did not migrate to Australia, would otherwise be left on their own overseas.

Career Category

Those who can apply under the Carer category are people who are willing and able to give substantial, continual assistance to an Australian relative (or a member of their family) who has a medical condition that is causing physical, intellectual or sensory impairment of their ability to attend to the practical aspects of daily life.

Remaining Relative Visa

The Remaining Relative Visa is designed to enable Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents or eligible New Zealand citizens, (who are usually resident and settled in Australia), to sponsor a remaining relative to migrate to Australia

Generally, you can apply for a Remaining Relative Visa if:

• You are the brother, sister, child or step equivalent of an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen who is settled and usually resident in Australia; and
• The Australian resident, or their spouse (if any), is aged 18 years or older and is sponsoring you; and
• You have an assurance of support; and
• For a child under 18, who was adopted overseas by an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen, your adoptive parent must have spent the required 12 months living overseas prior to the Adoption Visa application; and
• You and your spouse together do not have any other near relatives other than those who are usually resident in Australia and are Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents or eligible New Zealand citizens.

Determining if a Person is 'Usually Resident'

Following a recent decision by the Australian Full Federal Court, there are new procedures for assessing where a person is 'usually resident'.

Applicants may be asked to provide additional information about where they usually reside, so that their application can be assessed under the new procedures.

If you are in Australia now and you are considering applying for a Remaining Relative Visa, you need to know that:

• If you or your spouse are assessed to be usually resident in Australia and only in Australia, and you have a near relative other than those near relatives in Australia who are entitled to sponsor you for the visa, you will not meet the legislative criteria for a Remaining Relative Visa.

All applicants should also note that that you may be asked to provide further information about where your near relatives usually reside, and in some cases, what contact you have with those near relatives.

Sponsorship

Your application to migrate or remain permanently in Australia as a remaining relative must be sponsored by your relative in Australia.

Your application cannot be approved if your sponsor:

• Has previously sponsored/nominated a person who has subsequently been granted a visa on the basis of being a remaining relative; or
• Was granted a visa to Australia on the basis of being a last remaining relative.

Parents may be able to migrate to Australia using a Parent Visa if they have a child in Australia who is an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen.

There are 2 categories of Parent Visas

• Parent Category
  To apply for migration to Australia as a parent, you must be sponsored. Generally you will be sponsored by your child, who must be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen.
• Contributory Parent
  The Contributory Parent Visa category was introduced in mid-2003 to allow the expansion of the Parent Migration Program on the basis that applicants pay a higher visa application charge and a larger Assurance of Support (AoS) bond (with a longer AoS period).

The Child Visa category is for the natural child, adopted child or stepchild of a sponsor who must be a citizen of Australia, holder of a permanent visa or eligible New Zealand citizen. Where a child is overseas and was adopted after the sponsor became a permanent resident, they should apply under the Adopted Child category.

Note that a child can only be granted a permanent Child Visa on the basis of a step relationship in circumstances where:

• The child's natural or adopted parent is an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen; or
• The parent is no longer a spouse of the step parent and that step parent has been granted legal responsibility for the child by a court.

Orphan Relative Category

The Orphan Relative Visa category is for a child under 18 years of age who has no parent to care for them.

The sponsor must be a relative who is an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen.

Adoption Category

The Adoption category is for a child under 18 years of age who has been adopted or is in the process of being adopted by their sponsor who must be an Australian citizen, holder of a permanent visa or eligible New Zealand citizen.

The adoption must be supported by a State/Territory adoption authority, unless the adoptive parent has been resident overseas for a period of at least 12 months at the time of the migration application, and they can demonstrate their residence overseas was not contrived to deliberately bypass the requirements concerning entry of adopted children.

Dependent Child (Temporary) Category

The Dependent Child (Temporary) Visa is a provisional visa which enables a dependent child (natural child, adopted child or step child) of a holder of a Provisional Partner Visa to travel to or remain in Australia for the same period as their parent.

Once this visa has been granted, the child can apply to be added to their parent's Permanent Partner Visa application.

Qualifying for a Child Visa

There are a range of criteria you must be able to fulfil for your child to qualify for a visa to Australia. Fill out an Online Assessment to see if your child will qualify for an Australian Child Visa, or if you are able to sponsor a child to Australia.

Business Talent: Permanent Business Visa to Australia

To be eligible for the permanent Business Talent (Migrant) Visa to Australia, you will need to fulfil the following requirements:

• You have been sponsored by a State/Territory government;
• Had an overall successful business career;
• For at least 2 of the last 4 fiscal years immediately before the application is made, you had an ownership interest in a main business, or main businesses (2), with an annual turnover of at least A$3million (each year);
• For at least 2 of the last 4 fiscal years immediately before the application is made, you (or you and your spouse together) have net assets in a qualifying business (in which you held an ownership interest) of at least A$400,000;
• Your business and personal assets (including your spouse) have a net value of at least A$1.5million which are available for the conduct or establishment of a business in Australia and are lawfully acquired and available for transfer to Australia within 2 years of the grant of your visa;
• You are aged less than 55 at time of application, or you are proposing to establish or participate in a business that your sponsoring State/Territory has determined is of exceptional economic benefit to the State/Territory;
• Neither you or your spouse has a history of involvement in business or investment activities of a nature not generally acceptable in Australia;
• You have a genuine and realistic commitment to establish or participate actively in a qualifying business in Australia and to maintain and hold a substantial ownership level.

About this visa

This visa is for people who have a successful business or investment career, and have a genuine and realistic commitment to be involved in investing or business in Australia. This visa is also the first step towards being granted a permanent Business Skills visa.

Who is this visa for?

This visa is for investors/business people from overseas who are willing to invest funds in a designated investment in Australia for four (4) years, and are less than 45 years of age.

How much will this visa cost?

You must pay a non-refundable visa charge when you lodge your visa application.

What does this visa let me do?

With this visa you can:

• make a designated investment.
• travel in and out of Australia any number of times as long as the visa is valid.
• have your family accompany you to Australia. They will have access to work and study rights.
• establish a pathway to permanent residence.

How this visa works

This visa is a temporary visa, and the first step towards being granted a permanent Business Skills visa. You must be outside Australia when this visa is granted.
Exception: Secondary applicants may be in Australia when their visa is granted if they are on a student visa.

You may be eligible for a permanent Business Skills visa after holding this visa for a minimum of two years. To be eligible for a permanent Business Skills visa you must meet all the obligations of this visa and additional requirements of the permanent Business Skills visa you apply for. Meeting these requirements may take you longer than two years.

After two years you may be eligible to apply for one of the following visas:

• Investor (residence)
or
• State/Territory Sponsored Investor (residence)
• State/Territory Sponsored Business Owner (residence)
• Business Owner (residence)

Visa validity period

This visa is valid for four years from date you first enter Australia on this visa. Your first entry to Australia must be made before the ‘entry expiry date’ which will be specified on your visa label or visa grant notification. For secondary applicants who are in Australia when their visa is granted validity will be four years from the date of grant.

Bringing family

The following people may be included in your application:

• your partner
• your or your partner's dependent children
• other dependent relatives living with you.

With this visa you are unable to access Medicare, the Australian Government medical expenses and hospital care scheme.
Private Health Insurance is available to you, but it is not a requirement for the grant of this visa.


Family assistance

With this visa you are unable to access family assistance.

Social security

With this visa you are unable to access social security payments.

Senior Executive (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 161)

To be eligible for the Australian Business Senior Executive (Provisional) Visa, you will need to show:

About this visa

This visa is for senior executive employees of major overseas businesses, who have significant net assets and a genuine and realistic commitment to participate in the management of a new or existing business. This visa is also the first step towards being granted a permanent Business Skills visa.

Who is this visa for?

Senior executives from overseas who through their experience have gained the skills to successfully manage a business in Australia, are less than 45 years old, and their family.

How much will this visa cost?

You must pay a non-refundable visa charge when you lodge your visa application.


What does this visa let me do?

With this visa you can:

• establish a new or existing business in Australia.
• travel in and out of Australia any number of times as long as the visa is valid
• have your family accompany you to Australia. They will have access to work and study rights. Your family includes your partner and any dependants.

How this visa works

This visa is a temporary visa, and the first step towards being granted a permanent Business Skills visa. You must be outside Australia when this visa is granted.
Exception: Secondary applicants may be in Australia when their visa is granted if they are on a student visa.

You may be eligible for a permanent Business Skills visa after holding this visa for a minimum of two years. To be eligible for a permanent Business Skills visa you must meet all the obligations of this visa and additional requirements of the permanent Business Skills visa you apply for. Meeting these requirements may take you longer than two years.

After two years you may be eligible to apply for one of the following visas:

• Business Owner (residence) 
or
• State/Territory Sponsored Business Owner (residence)

Visa validity period

This visa is valid for four years from date you first enter Australia on this visa. Your first entry to Australia must be made before the ‘entry expiry date’ which will be specified on your visa label or visa grant notification. For secondary applicants who are in Australia when their visa is granted validity will be four years from the date of grant.

Bringing family

The following people may be included in your application:

• your partner
• your or your partner's dependent children
• other dependent relatives living with you.

With this visa you are unable to access Medicare, the Australian Government medical expenses and hospital care scheme.


Private Health Insurance is available to you, but it is not a requirement for the grant of this visa.

Family assistance

With this visa you are unable to access family assistance.


Social security

With this visa you are unable to access social security payments.

State/Territory Sponsored Senior Executive (Provisional) (Subclass 164)

How this visa works

This visa is designed is for senior executive employees of major overseas businesses, who have significant net assets and a genuine and realistic commitment to participate in the management of a new or existing business. This visa is also the first step towards being granted a permanent Business Skills visa.

Who is this visa for?

Senior executives from overseas who through their experience have gained the skills to successfully manage a business in Australia, are less than 55 years old, and their family.

How much will this visa cost?

You must pay a non-refundable visa charge when you lodge your visa application.
See: Business Development Visa Charges

What does this visa let me do?

With this visa you can:

• establish a new or existing business in Australia
• travel in and out of Australia any number of times as long as the visa is valid
• have your family accompany you to Australia. They will have access to work and study rights. Your family includes your partner and any dependants.

How this visa works

This visa is a temporary visa, and the first step towards being granted a permanent Business Skills visa. You must be outside Australia when this visa is granted.
Exception: Secondary applicants may be in Australia when their visa is granted if they are on a student visa.

You may be eligible for a permanent Business Skills visa after holding this visa for a minimum of two years. To be eligible for a permanent Business Skills visa you must meet all the obligations of this visa and additional requirements of the permanent Business Skills visa you apply for. Meeting these requirements may take you longer than two years.

After two years you may be eligible to apply for one of the following visas:

• Business Owner (residence)
 or
• State/Territory Sponsored Business Owner (residence)

Visa validity period

This visa is valid for four years from date you first enter Australia on this visa. Your first entry to Australia must be made before the ‘entry expiry date’ which will be specified on your visa label or visa grant notification. For secondary applicants who are in Australia when their visa is granted validity will be four years from the date of grant.

Bringing family

The following people may be included in your application:

• your partner
• your or your partner's dependent children
• other dependent relatives living with you.

With this visa you are unable to access Medicare, the Australian Government medical expenses and hospital care scheme.

Private Health Insurance is available to you, but it is not a requirement for the grant of this visa.

Family assistance

With this visa you are unable to access family assistance.

Social security

With this visa you are unable to access social security payments.

Business Owner (Provisional) Visa 160

About this visa

This visa is for people who have a successful business career, and have a genuine and realistic commitment to be involved as an owner in a new or existing business in Australia. This visa is also the first step towards being granted a permanent Business Skills visa.

Who is this visa for?

This visa is for business owners from overseas who intend to own a business in Australia, and are less than 45 years of age.

How much will this visa cost?

You must pay a non-refundable visa charge when you lodge your visa application.
See: Business Development Visa Charges

What does this visa let me do?

With this visa you can:

• establish a new or existing business in Australia
• travel in and out of Australia any number of times as long as the visa is valid
• have your family accompany you to Australia. They will have access to work and study rights
• establish a pathway to permanent residence.

How this visa works

This visa is a temporary visa, and the first step towards being granted a permanent Business Skills visa. You must be outside Australia when this visa is granted.
Exception: Secondary applicants may be in Australia when their visa is granted if they are on a student visa.

You may be eligible for a permanent Business Skills visa after holding this visa for a minimum of two years. To be eligible for a permanent Business Skills visa you must meet all the obligations of this visa and additional requirements of the permanent Business Skills visa you apply for. Meeting these requirements may take you longer than two years.

After two years you may be eligible to apply for one of the following visas:

• Business Owner (residence)
 or
• State/Territory Sponsored Business Owner (residence)

Visa validity period

This visa is valid for four years from date you first enter Australia on this visa. Your first entry to Australia must be made before the ‘entry expiry date’ which will be specified on your visa label or visa grant notification. For secondary applicants who are in Australia when their visa is granted validity will be four years from the date of grant.

Bringing family

The following people may be included in your application:

• your partner
• your or your partner's dependent children
• other dependent relatives living with you.

With this visa you are unable to access Medicare, the Australian Government medical expenses and hospital care scheme.
Private Health Insurance is available to you, but it is not a requirement for the grant of this visa.

Family assistance

With this visa you are unable to access family assistance.

Social Security

With this visa you are unable to access social security payments.

State/Territory Sponsored Business Owner (Provisional) Visa 163

About this visa

This visa is for people who have a successful business career, and have a genuine and realistic commitment to be involved as an owner in a new or existing business in Australia. This visa is also the first step towards being granted a permanent Business Skills visa.

Who is this visa for?

This visa is for business owners from overseas who intend to own a business in Australia, and are less than 55 years old.

How much will this visa cost?

You must pay a non-refundable visa charge when you lodge your visa application.
See: Business Development Visa Charges.

What does this visa let me do?

With this visa you can:

• establish a new or existing business in Australia
• travel in and out of Australia any number of times as long as the visa is valid
• have your family accompany you to Australia. They will have access to work and study rights
• establish a pathway to permanent residence.

How this visa works

This visa is a temporary visa, and the first step towards being granted a permanent Business Skills visa. You must be outside Australia when this visa is granted.
Exception: Secondary applicants may be in Australia when their visa is granted if they are on a student visa.

You may be eligible for a permanent Business Skills visa after holding this visa for a minimum of two years. To be eligible for a permanent Business Skills visa you must meet all the obligations of this visa and additional requirements of the permanent Business Skills visa you apply for. Meeting these requirements may take you longer than two years.

After two years you may be eligible to apply for one of the following visas:

• Business Owner (residence)
 or
• State/Territory Sponsored Business Owner (residence)

Visa validity period

This visa is valid for four years from date you first enter Australia on this visa. Your first entry to Australia must be made before the ‘entry expiry date’ which will be specified on your visa label or visa grant notification. For secondary applicants who are in Australia when their visa is granted validity will be four years from the date of grant.

Bringing family

The following people may be included in your application:

• your partner
• your or your partner's dependent children
• other dependent relatives living with you.

With this visa you are unable to access Medicare, the Australian Government medical expenses and hospital care scheme.
Private Health Insurance is available to you, but it is not a requirement for the grant of this visa.


Family assistance

With this visa you are unable to access family assistance.

Social security

With this visa you are unable to access social security payments.

The Australian Business Visa Program encourages successful business owners, investors and senior executives to settle in Australia while developing new or existing opportunities in Australian business. This is the route to take to emigrate to Australia if you are a business owner or senior executive within a business.

There are 2 pathways for Business Skills entry to Australia

• As a Provisional Visa holder with eligibility for permanent residence after establishing a business in Australia; or
• Direct Permanent Residence for high calibre business applicants sponsored by a State/Territory government.

Business migrants taking the first pathway must undergo a 2-stage progression to obtain residency. As such, visa holders are first granted a Business Skills (Provisional) Visa for 4 years and, after establishing the requisite level of business or maintaining their suitable investment, will be eligible to make an application for a Business Skills (Residence) Visa.

The second pathway leading to direct permanent residence is only open to high-calibre business migrants sponsored by a State/Territory government. This category of emigrating to Australia is known as the Business Talent Visa (see below).

The Business Skills Program is divided into 4 categories

• Business Owner
  Category for owners or part-owners of a business;
• Senior Executive
  Category for senior executive employees of major businesses;
• Investor
  Category for investors/business people willing to invest in Australia; and
• High-Calibre Business People
  Business Talent category for high-calibre business people who have sponsorship from a State/Territory government