Australia is actively seeking to attract skilled people who have qualifications and work experience in a very wide range of occupations.

In the financial year 2008/09 there will be an additional 31,000 places for skilled migrants taking the total planned skilled migration intake for the financial year ending 30 June 2009 up to 133,500. However the government of Australia does not forsee that this will be an ongoing new total for years after 2008/09 - billions of dollars are being invested in local training for Australian citizens in areas of skills shortages - the initiative is planned as an interim measure to assist in bridge the gap between the current skills shortages and the time when Australian tradepersons and professionals, trained under the new training initiatives, will step into such positions.

Therefore anyone who qualfies for migration under the current rules, should not delay in applying.

There are a number of visa categories under skilled migration. As of 1 September 2007, the number of visa categories were reduced and consolidated and application procedures for many were streamlined by making online applications available. 

Offshore applicants

Offshore professional and tradespersons can now apply for one of four visas, two of which grant immediate permanent residence with the other three being temporary visas, with two leading to permanent residence at a later stage, if the visa holder complies with the conditions for applying for permanent residence.

Skilled Independent Migrant visa - subclass 176

The skilled independent migrant visa remains the premier visa which gives immediate permanent residence and allows holder to settle anywhere in Australia - the key to eligibilty for this visa is passing the points test - the passmark, as at 15 May 2008, remains 120 points.

Persons under 45 years of age who have a university degree or trade qualification and appropriate work experiences can apply under this category - however you must satisfy the basic requirements and pass the points test.

Skilled-Sponsored Migrant - subclass 175

You must satisfy the basic requirements and meet pass mark for this visa category on the points test.. You will need to be sponsored by a relative living in a or by a participating State or Territory on the basis that your skills is in demand in the sponsoring State or Territory.

State sponsorship is not a job offer – you will have been sponsored on the basis that your particular skill is in short supply in the sponsoring state and it is anticipated that you should not have any difficulty obtaining a job. If nominated under this category, you must remain in the sponsoring State or Territory for at least 2 years and you will also have certain other obligations.

Skilled Regional Sponsored (provisional) visa - subclass 475

This visa was known as the Skilled Independent Regional or SIR visa up to 31 August 2007. You must satisfiy the basic requirements, and the points test for this visa (110 as at 15 May 2008) and also be nominated for this visa by a State or Territory before the visa application is lodged. The SRS visa is a temporary three year visa and if granted you must agree to live in a regional area of the sponsoring State or Territory for at least 2 years, and must be employed there for 1 year.  You can then apply for permanent residence visa subclass 887 - the Skilled Regional Residence visa.

Skilled - Recognised Graduate provisional visa - subclass 476

This is an 18 month visa which allows graduates from certain specified universities in certain disciplines to apply for an 18 month visa to work in Australia.