1. Know How SkillSelect Works
General Skilled Migration is now an “invitation only” visa – you must first receive an invitation to apply through the SkillSelect system.
SkillSelect is now much more competitive in a number of occupations. There are now 8 “pro rata” occupations where there are more EOIs lodged than there are available places. This means that the required points for an invitation may be higher or the waiting time longer. Even if you have 60 points, you may miss out altogether if you are in a pro-rata occupation.
SkillSelect is now the most difficult part of the General Skilled Migration process – to maximise your chances, you need to choose the right occupation, and maximise your points without over-claiming. Timing can also be critical, and you need to keep up to date with the trends in your occupation to make the most of your chances.
2. Improve your Points Score
In competitive pro rata occupations, 60 points is not enough for an invitation. Improving your points score will improve your chances of getting that all important invitation. The most important ways of doing this are as follows:
- Improving your English Score
- Skilled Work Experience in Australia
- State Nomination
- Further Studies
- Professional Year
There are also other options such as:
- Spouse Skills: if you are married or have a de facto partner, they may be able to contribute points. They would need to show competent English, pass skills assessment and be 18-49 to contribute points.
- NAATI Translator or Interpreter Test: if you pass the NAATI translator or interpreter test, this will give you another 5 points. You only need to translate in one direction, and paraprofessional level is sufficient for points
3. Maximise your English Points
English is the single most important factor in the Skilled Migration Points Test. You can score up to 20 points for English and it is the one factor you have more ability to influence than any other.
Some important factors to bear in mind with English:
- There are a range of alternative tests of English – some applicants find certain tests easier than other
- English tests are valid for 3 years – it’s never too early to get started
- You need to achieve a minimum score in each band in a single sitting – this is much more difficult than meeting an average band score
- Doing well in the English test is often more about understanding how the test works rather than your communication skills in English. If you are not getting the score you expect, you may consider English courses or one-on-one tutoring.
- Some skills assessing authorities have higher levels of English required, or don’t accept all types of tests and you will need to factor this in
4. Choose the Right Occupation for Skills Assessment
In many cases, there may be more than one skilled occupation which we could use for skills assessment. Once your application is lodged, you can’t change your nominated occupation, so choosing the right one is critical. This can depend on:
- Skills Assessment requirements – these vary widely depending on your occupation
- Competitiveness of SkillSelect – some occupations are more difficult than others when it comes to getting a SkillSelect invitation
- State Nomination Opportunities – each state has its own state nomination list, and its own criteria. Choosing the right occupation may open up a range of state nomination opportunities
5. Get your First Professional Job in Australia
Getting your first professional job in Australia not only pays the bills, it open up a range of migration opportunities. These include:
- Various employer sponsored visas – an employer can sponsor you for temporary and permanent visas
- You can get points for Australian work experience – up to a maximum of 20 points
- Many states require you to have worked in Australia before they will nominate you
Getting your first professional job can be challenging – some hints for doing this:
- Make the most of your networking opportunities – university careers centres organise a range of activities – be the person who shows up to these!
- Meet some locals – this will expose you to local customs and attitudes and improve your Australian English
- The Professional Year is available for Accounting, IT and Engineering students – as this includes an internship, you may get a job offer after this if you perform well
6. Study Your Passion
Many students are persuaded to study courses because they are “good for PR”, rather than what they are interested in.
These days, there are no courses which guarantee you PR on completion, so it’s important that you study in an area you are passionate about.
Because there are now limits to the number of people who can get PR in each occupation, you are much better to study in an area which is less competitive.
Many students are looking at employer sponsorship on completion of their studies, and you have a much better chance of getting a job offer with an employer if you study in a field you love.
7. State Nomination – Think Regional
State nomination opens up a range of opportunities – for instance:
- Occupational Ceilings do not apply for state nominated visas – so if you are in a pro rata occupation, this may be your best option
- State nomination gives you priority in SkillSelect – as soon as the nomination is completed, you receive an invitation immediately
- State nomination gives you 5-10 additional points
- There is a wider list of occupations available for state nomination
Each state and territory has its own list with its own criteria – so being familiar with these will give you the best possible chance.
People who are prepared to relocate outside the main capital cities enjoy advantages. For instance, they can be eligible for the following regional visa options:
- Skilled Regional Provisional Subclass 489 Visa: this is a 4-year temporary visa which requires either state nomination or family sponsorship. To get PR, you must live and work in a regional area for 2 years
- Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme 187 Visa: this is a permanent employer sponsored visa. This requires a regional job offer, but the other criteria can be easier to meet than other employer sponsored visas
8. Further Studies
You may be able to improve your chances of migration by doing further studies in Australia after completion of your first qualification. Examples include:
- Study in a Regional Area: greatly improves your chances of state nomination and gives you 5 points if you complete a qualification taking 2 academic years
- Bachelor Level or Higher: many SOL occupations require you to have a bachelor-level qualification for skills assessment. You also get extra points for a bachelor degree, and you may be eligible for the Post Study Work stream of the 485 visa
- PhD and Masters by Research: extra points are available for PhD studies and Masters by Research in STEM specialisations. Many state governments look favourably on PhD graduates for state nomination
9. Make the Most of your Graduate Temporary Visa
Many students will not have enough time to apply for permanent residence in the available time between completing their course and expiry of their student visa.
Graduate temporary visas are a great way to extend your stay in Australia, but if used correctly are a great way to improve your chances of getting Permanent Residence. You can only apply for a Graduate Temporary Visa once, so make the most of it:
- Professional Year: a Professional Year may assist with skills assessment, points for skilled migration, as well as lead to a skilled job offer
- Skilled Work: Your graduate temporary visa has full work rights, so seek employment as this may lead to points or employer sponsored options
- Move Interstate: many states and territories require you to have lived, worked or studied locally before they sponsor you
- English Language Ability: you have the opportunity to improve your English whilst living and working in Australia
10. Get Your Bridging Visa Right
Bridging visas can be complex – getting it wrong can be costly as you may become unlawful, subject to detention or removal from Australia. It can also affect your eligibility for PR and for Australian Citizenship.
Some common issues include:
- Lodging an Expression of Interest (EOI) does not give you a bridging visa. You need to be invited and lodge your application for General Skilled Migration to get a bridging visa, and this may take some months.
- You need to lodge for a further visa prior to expiry of your student visa if you intend to stay in Australia. If you are not ready to apply for PR, this could mean lodging a graduate temporary or visitor visa
- You would generally receive a Bridging A visa when you lodge an onshore visa application – this ceases if you depart Australia. You may need to apply for a Bridging B visa if you wish to travel during processing
