What is GSM?
The purpose of the General Skilled Migration Program is to attract highly skilled people for migration to Australia. Most applicants applying for Australian visas under the General Skilled Migration (GSM) are required to score a minimum number of points on the Points Test.
Applicants must score a minimum of 65 points if they wish to gain a visa under the GSM programme, however that is always not enough to be invited to apply.
The Points test awards points for:
- Age
- English Language Ability
- Educational Qualifications
- Skilled Employment
- Australian Study Requirements
- Community Language Qualifications
- Regional study in Australia
- Partner/Spouse Skill Qualifications
- Professional Year in Australia
- Nominations and Sponsorship (Subclasses 190, 489 and 494 only)
How it works?
- You obtain the required documents, i.e. IELTS test for English proficiency and skill assessment.
- You submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) in the online SkillSelect system of Australia and score minimum 65 points. Higher score will increase your chances of receiving the Invitation to Apply.
- You now wait for an Invitation to Apply from the Department of Home Affairs.
- If your profile is selected based on your total immigration point score in SkillSelect, you will receive an Invitation to Apply for an Australia GSM based visa.
- You submit your completed visa application along with essential documents within 60 days of receiving your Invitation to Apply.
- If all the Department of Home Affairs visa application checks are positive, you visa will be approved.
What are the visas applicable to GSM?
- Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)
- Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)
- Skilled Regional (Provisional) Visa(Subclass 489)
New visas from 16 November 2019
- Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491)
- Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 494)
New visa from 16 November 2022
- Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa (Subclass 191)