Booklet 6 - Department of Immigration & Citizenship

General Skilled
Part 2: Categories
Skilled – Independent (subclass 175)
To be eligible for this visa you must:
• satisfy the basic requirements (see page 7);
• be able to pass the points test;
• at the time you apply, you must submit evidence that:
– you are under 45 years of age;
– you have been employed in a skilled occupation for at least 12 of the last 24 months
OR you met the Australian study requirement in the last 6 months; and
– the relevant assessing authority has assessed your skills as suitable for working
in your nominated occupation (if the assessment is based on an Australian
qualification obtained on a student visa it must have been part of a CRICOS
registered course).
You have up until the time of decision to provide evidence that you meet the English
language requirement. However, it is advisable to provide evidence that you meet the
English language requirement at the time you apply as a decision on your application
will not be delayed if evidence does not accompany the application. A decision on the
application may be made soon after the application has been received based on the
evidence on hand.
Skilled – Sponsored (subclass 176)
To be eligible for this visa you must:
• satisfy the basic requirements (see page 7);
• be able to pass the points test;
• be nominated by a state or territory government or sponsored by an eligible Australian
relative;
• at the time you apply, you must submit evidence that:
– you are under 45 years of age;
– you have been employed in a skilled occupation for at least 12 of the last 24 months
OR you met the Australian study requirement in the last 6 months; and
– the relevant assessing authority has assessed your skills as suitable for working
in your nominated occupation (if the assessment is based on an Australian
qualification obtained on a student visa it must have been part of a CRICOS
registered course).
You have up until the time of decision to provide evidence that you meet the English
language requirement. However, it is advisable to provide evidence that you meet the
English language requirement at the time you apply as a decision on your application
will not be delayed if such evidence does not accompany the application. A decision on
the application may be made soon after the application has been received based on the
evidence on hand.
Important: This information is only for clients who applied for Skilled – Independent (subclass 175),
Skilled – Sponsored (subclass 176) or Skilled – Regional Sponsored (subclass 475) before 1 July 2011.
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