The General Skilled Migration Program (Visa Subclasses 189, 190 & 491): Updated for 2024-25 Program Year
The General Skilled Migration (GSM) stream of the Australian Migration Program is meticulously designed to attract skilled migrants who can make a significant contribution to the Australian economy. This program targets individuals who can fill positions in the Australian labor market where there is a shortage of local talent. The streamlined procedure ensures that skilled professionals from overseas are ready and eligible to join the Australian workforce as soon as their visa is issued by the Australian Department of Home Affairs (DHA).
Before you start your application process for the General Skilled Migration Program to Australia, it is crucial to conduct a thorough pre-process self-assessment. This step will help ensure that you meet all the requirements and increase your chances of a successful visa application.
Start your journey towards a rewarding career in Australia with the General Skilled Migration Program and become a valuable part of the Australian workforce.
Three Visa Streams:
The General Skilled Migration Program consists three different visa programs with almost different legislative instructions:
- Skilled independent Visa (Subclass 189)
- Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 491)
Please check the following skilled occupation list, if your skill is listed at one of the visa programs mentioned above:
Skilled Occupation Lists:
1. Medium and Long‑term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)
Occupations from this group can be used for General Skilled Migration Program of Subclass 189 (Skilled—Independent) visa, Subclass 190 (Skilled—Nominated) visa & Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional (Provisional)) (both for state and family sponsored program)
2. Short‑term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL)
Occupations from this group can be used for General Skilled Migration Program of Subclass 190 (Skilled—Nominated) visa & Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional (Provisional)) (only for state nominated program)
3. Regional Occupation List (ROL)
Occupations from this group can be used for General Skilled Migration Program of Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional (Provisional)) (only for state nominated program)
Now Check Whether You Can Fulfil the Minimum Pass Mark Requirements for the General Skill Migration to Australia. Here additional to share that as of our experience we can share that not every time fulfilling the minimum pass mark (which is now set 65) can confirm you getting invitation to apply for a visa under General Skilled Migration Visa Program.
Now you should review the required English Proficiency Test score you should have to qualify for the intended visa scheme you want to explore.
You should now check among the accepted Skill Assessment Authorities, from which Skill Assessing Authority you should consider to complete assessment for migration purpose, also go towards their requirements to lodge a decision ready application.
Now we may consider you have skill assessment result + your English proficiency score report + other point carrying scripts at your hand.
Lodging The SkillSelect EOI
Now create a SkillSelect EOI (Expression of Interest) Account, from the link clicking HERE.
Before lodgment of the EOI, you need to decide which visa program you should apply under the GSM Program that includes subclass 189 or 190 or 491. You may consider multiple visa programs at the same time depending on the occupation group you have completed a skill assessment from.
Now based on your selection for visa subclass, follow the rules below:
Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)
Wait for an invitation to apply for a visa application under Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189). Please do understand this scheme is highly competitive, so you may require to have more points than the provided 65 marks as a passing score.
Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)
Submit a completed expression of interest (EOI) in SkillSelect. State and territory government agencies can see your completed EOI and might nominate you for the visa.
All state and territory government agencies have their own criteria for deciding who they will nominate. Contact the state or territory agency directly to find out more about their nomination process and what they want from you.
- Australian Capital Territory
- New South Wales
- Northern Territory
- Queensland
- South Australia
- Tasmania
- Victoria
- Western Australia
If the state or territory agency that nominates you withdraws your nomination after you have applied, your application becomes invalid.
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 491)
You must be either nominated by an Australian state or territory government agency or indicate that you will be sponsored by an eligible relative. See below for more information.
If you indicate in your EOI that you will be sponsored by an eligible relative the Department may invite you to apply for a visa in an invitation round.
Sponsorship by an eligible relative
Your sponsor must be:
- 18 years old or older
- usually resident in a designated area of Australia
- be an Australian citizen, an Australian permanent resident, or an eligible New Zealand citizen
- be your eligible relative or your partner’s eligible relative if your partner is also applying for this visa
An eligible relative can be:
- a parent
- a child or step-child
- a brother, sister, adoptive brother, adoptive sister, step-brother or step-sister
- an aunt, uncle, adoptive aunt, adoptive uncle, step-aunt or step-uncle
- a nephew, niece, adoptive nephew, adoptive niece, step-nephew or step-niece
- a grandparent, or
- a first cousin
DHA must approve your sponsorship before you can be granted a visa.
Nomination by an Australian state or territory government agency
All state and territory government agencies have their own criteria for deciding who they will nominate. Contact the state or territory agency directly to find out more about their nomination process and what they want from you.
When you have your invitation you can apply online. You can be in or outside Australia.
You have 60 days from the date of your invitation to apply for the visa.
Apply for this visa online in ImmiAccount
- Log into your SkillSelect account. In SkillSelect, click on the ‘Apply for visa’ button. This will take you to our online system, ImmiAccount.
- Log in or create an ImmiAccount. Your ImmiAccount login and password will not be the same as your SkillSelect login and password.
- Attach your documents.
- Pay the application charge.
- Note your transaction reference number (TRN).
General Skilled Migration (GSM) Visa Application Fees (Updated on July 2024):
The second installment – Apart from the primary applicant, in the case of another applicant(s) who is 18 years or more at time of application and is assessed as not having functional English: AU $4,885 (for subclass 189 & 190) – $4,890 (for subclass 491) should be paid as a second installment also called the Second VAC. For any other applicant, the second installment is nil.
Need Assistance?
Need further assistance to learn more about the program or need assistance to figure out things during the application phase. You are welcome to: