General skilled migration (GSM) represents a large stream of permanent migration to Australia and was developed to attract relatively young, highly skilled migrants to Australia .The GSM programme is based on a points system, rewarding applicants for qualities such as youth, occupational skills  work experience, academic qualifications and English ability.

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Skilled Independent Visa

If the applicant is in Australia they must hold a valid visa. The intending applicant must lodge an expression of interest (EOI) through SkillSelect first and can only apply for the visa if invited to do so by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP).The applicant must have had their skills in the nominated, eligible occupation assessed and the applicant must not have turned 50 at the time of invitation to apply for this visa (unless they hold a passport from nominated countries).

 

Skilled Nominated Visa

If the applicant is in Australia they must hold a valid visa. The intending applicant must Lodge and EOI through SkillSelect first and must be nominated by a state or Territory government agency. The applicant must also have had their skills in the nominated eligible occupation assessed and their English language assessed (unless they hold a passport from nominated countries).

 

Skilled Regional (Provisional)

This is a temporary visa which gives applicants additional points by being sponsored by a state, territory or a qualifying family member living in a designated area to work in the regions of low growth and population in Australia.

 

Skilled Regional GSM Visa

This is the permanent visa that can be applied for by holders of provisional GSM visa subclass 489.

 

Skilled Graduate GSM Visas

These visas are not points tested and are primarily for recent graduates who require additional time to qualify to lodge an EOI through SkillSelect.