Migrating to Australia
Australia is not only a great place to get a first-rate education, it’s also a fantastic place to live and work. Many international students who study in Australia choose to apply for permanent residency after they finish their studies. As an overseas student on a student visa you can apply for permanent residency under Australia’s General Skilled Migration program (GSM). Read on to find out more.
Skilled – Independent (Residence) visa (subclass 885)
There are many different types of permanent residency visas but this page focuses on skilled migration for students who have graduated from Australian study.
Who can apply?
Eligibility requirements
How much will the visa cost?
How to apply
Who can apply?
International students between the ages of 18 and 44 who have completed at least two years of approved full-time study in Australia can apply for permanent residency under the ‘Skilled – Independent (Residence) visa (Subclass 885)’.
For more information about who can apply for this visa, see below and visit the Australian Government’s Department of Immigration and Citizenship website at www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/885/index.htm .
Eligibility requirements
In order to qualify for the General Skilled Migration program, you must satisfy a number of requirements relating to:
Your eligibility for the visa: you must satisfy all requirements of the relevant visa subclass. Find out more at liveinaustralia.com .
Your study undertaken in Australia: you must have completed either a single qualification (degree, diploma or trade in an Australian institution, in English, registered with CRICOS) that required two years of full-time study, or more than one qualification resulting in a total of at least two years full-time study in Australia. You must apply for your visa within six months of finishing your study.
Your location: you must be in Australia to lodge your visa application and receive the application decision.
Your skills and qualifications: your skills and qualifications must meet the Australian requirements of your nominated occupation.
Your health: you must undergo a medical examination and meet minimum health requirements.
Your character: you must be able to prove that you are of ‘good character’. You will be required to provide certified copies of police checks and other relevant documents, such as any relevant military discharge papers.
Find out more at liveinaustralia.com .
The points test
In addition to the requirements above, applicants must meet a points tests pass mark in order to be granted permanent residency in Australia.
A minimum of 120 points must be scored on the points test for the application to be successful. Applicants score points according to how they rate for different criteria relating to:
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age
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nominated skilled occupation
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English language ability
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specific work experience
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occupation in demand / job offer
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Australian qualifications
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having completed an approved qualification in an area classed as 'Regional Australia' or 'low population growth metropolitan area'
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spouse skills.
Bonus points are available for applicants who satisfy the requirements of one of the following additional categories: ‘Australian work experience’, or ‘Fluency in one of Australia’s community languages’.
Find out more at liveinaustralia.com .
If you don’t meet the above requirements you may be able to apply for the new ‘Skilled – Graduate’ visa (subclass 485). This temporary visa is designed to give students who have completed at least two years study in Australia but who do not meet the requirements for a permanent GSM visa the opportunity to stay in Australia for up to 18 months to gain the additional skills they need for permanent residency.
How much will the visa cost?
The Skilled – Independent (Residence) visa (Subclass 885) requires a payment of A$2060, which must be paid at the time of application. A second payment of A$2860 must be paid before the visa is granted if your visa application includes any dependents aged 18 years or over with less than functional English language skills.
In addition to the application cost there may be other costs associated with the visa, such as fees for any medical examinations or police checks, or for any necessary translation of documents into English.
How to apply
You can apply for the Skilled – Independent (Residence) visa (Subclass 885) online, by mail or by courier. Find out more at liveinaustralia.com .
Though processing times do vary depending on your country of origin, most General Skilled Migration visas will be processed within six months.
If your visa is approved you will receive a grant notification letter stating that your visa has been approved, as well as a visa grant number and any conditions attached to your visa. If your visa is not approved you will receive a letter advising if you may ask for a review of your application.
Further information
Find out more at liveinaustralia.com .