Australian skilled migration is an immigration policy aimed at attracting overseas talent to promote balance and development in the Australian labor market. The three categories of visas under Australian skilled migration, whether it is the Australian Independent Skilled Visa 189, the Australian State Nominated Skilled Visa 190, or the Australian Regional Sponsored Skilled Visa 489, are favored by applicants in different situations. So what are the differences in application conditions and requirements among these three categories of visas? What advantages do they each have?
1. Three categories of Australian skilled migration visas
Australian skilled migration is applicable not only to domestic skilled professionals but also to overseas students. Due to its wide applicability and low immigration costs, it has become one of the preferred methods for applicants seeking to immigrate to Australia. Australian skilled migration can be divided into three categories based on visa types:
1) Australian Visa 189
This is an Australian permanent residency visa, and applicants must meet the following conditions:
1) The applicant's occupation must be on the MLTSSL occupation list for skilled migration;
2) The applicant must be under 45 years of age and have a qualifying language score;
3) The applicant must meet the EOI scoring criteria;
4) The applicant's occupation assessment must meet the relevant requirements.
Only by meeting the above conditions can it be said that the applicant meets the basic conditions for applying for the Australian Skilled Migration Visa 189. As for whether the application will be successful, it mainly depends on the EOI score and the situation of each draw.
2) Australian Visa 190
This is also an Australian permanent residency visa, and applicants must meet the following conditions:
1) The occupation must be on the specified skilled migration occupation list;
2) The applicant must pass the occupation assessment;
3) The EOI score must reach 55 points or above;
4) The applicant must have a qualifying language score and receive a nomination letter from the state for Visa 190.
3) Australian Visa 489
This is an Australian temporary visa with a validity of four years, after which the applicant needs to apply to convert it to an Australian permanent residency visa. Applicants must meet the following conditions:
1) The occupation must be on the STSOL or MLTSSL occupation list for skilled migration;
2) The applicant must be under 45 years of age and have a qualifying language score;
3) The applicant must meet the EOI scoring criteria and occupation assessment requirements;
4) The occupation must be on a state’s 190/489 sponsored occupation list, and it must be confirmed that there are sponsorship quotas available and that the applicant meets the application requirements.
2. The application process for the three categories of Australian skilled migration visas
The Australian skilled migration process mainly includes assessing one’s own immigration conditions, conducting an occupation assessment, submitting an EOI, obtaining a skilled migration visa, and landing in Australia.
1) Before applying for Australian skilled migration, assess one’s own age, language scores, occupation status, etc.;
2) After self-assessment, the applicant needs to pass the occupation assessment as stipulated in the application conditions;
3) After passing the occupation assessment, the applicant submits the EOI to the immigration department and waits for an invitation;
4) After receiving the immigration invitation, overseas individuals begin to apply for the Australian immigration visa;
5) After obtaining the Australian skilled migration visa, the applicant lands in Australia.
3. What advantages do the Australian skilled migration visas each have?
The Australian immigration department has categorized skilled migration visas into three types to help applicants find the visa that best suits their personal circumstances and immigration plans. Therefore, each of the three categories of Australian skilled migration visas has its own advantages, mainly depending on how the applicant chooses.
1) In terms of difficulty: Australian Visa 489 > Australian Visa 190 > Australian Visa 189
Each state has its own separate nomination occupation list and its own specific nomination requirements, so applying for Australian Visas 489/190 requires additional compliance with state nomination requirements. Although this may seem difficult, in comparison to the difficulty of the Australian Visa 189, it is still relatively easier.
2) In terms of freedom: Australian Visa 189 > Australian Visa 190 > Australian Visa 489
Once successfully obtained, the Australian Visa 189 has no additional restrictions. Obtaining the Australian Visa 190 requires the applicant to reside in the nominated state for a cumulative period of two years, after which it has no additional restrictions, similar to the Australian Visa 189. The Australian Visa 489 is a temporary skilled migration visa with a four-year validity; after obtaining the visa, the applicant only needs to reside in the sponsored regional area for a cumulative period of two years and work full-time for a cumulative period of one year (not required to be the same or related to the occupation assessed during immigration) to convert the 489 temporary skilled migration visa to a permanent residency visa.
4. The latest policies for the three types of Australian skilled migration visas in 2018
1) Reduced EOI selection frequency, increased quotas, and raised scores
The selection for the Australian skilled migration Visa 189 has been adjusted from twice a month to once a month, with the selection date set on the 11th of each month. Although the selection frequency has decreased, the selection quota has significantly increased compared to the previous fiscal year, with 1,000 quotas selected. Starting from July 1, the score has suddenly increased: the basic score for Visa 189 is 65 points, for Visa 190 is 60 points, and for Visa 489 is 55 points.
2) Increased age restrictions for spouses
Previously, if the applicant's spouse was under 50 years old, they could receive a bonus of 5 points from their spouse's skills assessment. However, starting from July 1, the spouse must be under 45 years old to qualify for the bonus points.
3) Rapid advancement of invitations for popular professions
On September 11, the Australian immigration department issued the third round of EOI invitations for the 2018-19 fiscal year for Visa 189, with a total of 2,000 quotas mostly allocated to popular professions. However, popular professions still face the "high score" issue; for example, accounting and auditing remain stable at 80 points, and an invitation will be received instantly at 85 points; scores for computer and engineering fields remain at 70-75 points.
There are many misconceptions on the path to Australian skilled migration, and a slight oversight can critically impact the success rate of immigration. It is essential to thoroughly understand Australia’s immigration policies before applying and to carefully follow each step. If one lacks confidence or is unwilling to invest too much effort in the application, they can seek assistance from professional immigration agencies to handle all related matters of Australian immigration.