If you are planning to migrate to Australia and you are currently not a student studying in Australia, you could apply under one of the following categories:

• Skilled Independent
• Skilled - Australian Sponsored
• Skilled - Designated Area Sponsored
• Skilled Independent Regional (SIR)
• Skilled Independent - State/Territory Nominated (STNI)

To be able to migrate under one of the these skilled migration categories

• you must be below 45 years of age
• have good English (need to take the IELTS test)
• your occupation must be in the 'Skilled Occupation List' and successfully assessed by a skill assessment body
• you should have recent work experience

Skilled Independent

If you do not have a blood relative in Australia, this would be the most suitable category for you. You need to score a minimum of 120 points in the points test to be eligible to apply. Points are given for age, occupation, English language ability, work experience, spouse skills, Australian educational qualification and occupation in demand. You may also be eligible for bonus points if you have Australian work experience, knowledge in a community language of Australia or if you are prepared to invest in Australia. If you have 100 points, you could be eligible for the regional (SIR) visa. Read below to learn more about the SIR visa.

Skilled Australian Sponsored

You could be able to apply under this category, if you have a blood relative in Australia who lives outside one of the designated areas and you are related to him/her as a

The pass mark is lower at 110 for this category and the pool mark is set at 105. If your sponsor lives in Sydney or close to Sydney, you will have to nominate an occupation listed in the Sydney and Specified Areas Skills Shortage List (SSASSL).

All the other criteria are the same as skilled-independent category.

Skilled Designated Area Sponsored

You could be eligible to apply under this category, if you have a close relative who lives in one of the designated areas of Australia. You must be related to your sponsor as

• a non-dependent child (natural, adoptive or step-child) or
• a parent or
• a brother or sister (natural, adoptive or step-sibling) or
  a niece or nephew (natural, adoptive or step-niece or nephew) or
• a first cousin or
• a grand child.

This category is not points tested, meaning there is no pass mark or pool mark. However all basic requirements need to be satisfied.

Skilled Independent Regional (SIR) (Provisional)

You could be able to apply under this category, if you have scored a minimum of 100 points and you are nominated by one of the regional bodies. This visa is valid for a period of 3 years and will be a temporary visa. If you live in the regional area that has nominated you and worked fulltime for at least 12 months and if you are nominated by the State/Territory government, you can get the permanent visa. There are a lot of conditions attached to this visa and to find out more about them, visit this link.

Skilled Independent State/Territory Nominated (STNI)

You could be able to apply under this category, if you have scored a minimum of 70 points and you are nominated by one of the state/territory governments. To be eligible for nomination, your occupation must be in the list most wanted by that state/territory. You would also need to live in the state/territory that sponsors you for a period of 2 years.

Find out for free, If you would qualify. Click here to submit your details for a free evaluation.