Australia PR based on your skills - Skilled Migration Program Visa 491,190,189

This includes General Skilled Migration (GSM) visas including Subclass 189, Subclass 190, and Subclass 491 which is the most popular way to get Australia PR

This is the points-based visas and also major part of the Australian migration program

If you have skills that are listed in the Australia Skilled occupation list, you may be interested in looking at this program.

There are 3 streams of the skilled migration program:

• Visa Subclass 189 skilled independent is a direct PR whereas 190 and 491 are state-sponsored visas.
• Visa Subclass 190 is purely a state-sponsored visa and needs nomination from one of the states of Australia.
• For a Visa Subclass 491, you may get sponsorship from states or territories or from a close relative who is an Australian citizen/Permanent resident living in regional Australia.

Subclasses 189 and 190 are permanent residency visas whereas regional visa 491 is a temporary visa for 5 years and has a pathway to PR through Subclass 191 visa, once the income level requirements are met.

DHA website has a list of skilled occupations that are in demand in Australia.

If you have skills relevant to one of these occupations, you may be eligible to apply for one of GSM visas.

These are point-based visas and there is a requirement of minimum of 65 points to be eligible for these visas.

Australia PR Points are mainly based on factors including

• Age
• Qualification
• Work experience
• Study in regional Australia
• English language test results
• Partner skills
• State sponsorship (state sponsorship points are for 190 and 491 visas only).

If eligible, you will need to get a positive skill assessment from the relevant skill-assessing authority for your occupation.

You will also need to be able to demonstrate Competent English (Ielts 6.0 or equivalent)

You may need higher English test results for a higher point test scores

For some skilled migrants who are interested in running a small business in Australia, there are 4 states that open the small business owner pathways to 491 or 190 nominations such as QLD, Tasmania, SA and Australian capital territory.

Harneet Anand

Australian Immigration Expert