This visa is a successor of all temporary work permit visas which allows an employee, sponsored and hired by an Australian employer to live and work permanently in Australia. The skilled worker is supposed to start the employment with the sponsored employer within 06 months of arrival on this visa. Also, government expect from an foreign skilled worker to be with the same employer for at least 02 years. This visa subclass has also been divided into subcategories wherein the basic eligibility criteria should be met by an applicant to be eligible for any of the stream to be selected for this subclass.
MINIMUM ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA TO MEET:
- You must be from one of the in-demand occupation from the skilled occupation list.
- You should be sponsored or nominated by an Australian employer, having an ABN.
- You must not have any health condition which could become a roadblock in application.
- Must not have any police or criminal records in past or at present.
1. Direct Entry Stream: Under this stream, an applicant can remain in Australia permanently which allows travel to and from Australia for 05 years however, they can remain in Australia indefinitely. They are also allowed to study as per their choice of subjects and work with the employer of their choice. The primary applicant can sponsor the relatives to settle in the country. Once they become eligible, can apply for an Australian citizenship. All the immediate family members whether they are travelling or not with you, may need to meet the health and character requirement. All the applicants aged 18 or above, need to meet the minimum language requirement or has to pay the second payment fees (in lieu of lang. test). The application cost is AUD $ 4240 for primary applicant and the timeline is between 40 days till 13 months.
2. Labour Agreement Stream: This visa does allow skilled workers to work and live in Australia permanently provided they are being hired by an employer who has signed a labour agreement with the Australian government. A skilled worker needs to just meet the age, skills and language proficiency requirement of the agreement signed between an employer and the government. The primary applicant can sponsor the relatives to settle in the country. Once they become eligible, can apply for an Australian citizenship. All the immediate family members whether they are travelling or not with you, may need to meet the health and character requirement. All the applicants aged 18 or above, need to meet the minimum language requirement or has to pay the second payment fees (in lieu of lang. test). The application cost is AUD $ 4240 for primary applicant and the timeline is between 56 days till 09 months.
3.Temporary Residents Stream: This visa also allows a temporary resident to live and work permanently in Australia provided they hold a temporary work permit or a bridging visas . AN applicant must have worked for the same employer for at least three (03) years inside the country and should have been nominated by the same employer. A skilled worker needs to just meet the age, skills and language proficiency requirement as per the norms. The primary applicant can sponsor the relatives to settle in the country. Once they become eligible, can apply for an Australian citizenship. All the immediate family members whether they are travelling or not with you, may need to meet the health and character requirement. All the dependents aged 18 or above, need to meet the minimum language requirement or must pay the second payment fees of AUD $ 4890 (in lieu of lang. test) whereas the applicant has to show the minimum functional English or pay AUD $ 9800 as a second instalment when the case officer ask to. The application cost is AUD $ 4240 for primary applicant and the timeline is between 76 days till 18 months.