Skilled Sponsored Program of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship(DIAC), Australia, requires state nomination and sponsorship. This visa is a permanent residence visa and the program is operated on a Points Based System (PBS).

Sponsored permanent residence offers applicants the opportunity to migrate to Australia on the basis of their skills and/or educational background. In addition, the applicant needs to meet the basic criteria of English language ability and have their skill and qualification in an occupation in need and then satisfy the points test of 100 to qualify for skilled permanent residence.

Australia attempts to target people who are highly skilled and who will quickly make a contribution to the Australian economy.

There are currently eight states and territories participating in the skilled sponsored programme. These are South Australia, Tasmania, Western Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).

Each state has its own 'Occupation in Demand' list which applicants must be able to suitably match their profession with.

Applicants who are nominated by a state or territory authority will be eligible for an additional 10 points under the skilled migration points test.

Duration

The Australian Skilled Sponsored visa entitles people emigrating to Australia to gain permanent residency status. After a four year period, providing relevant criteria have been met, Australian citizenship may be applied for.

A successful applicant has an obligation to remain in the nominating state for a period of two years.

Eligibility Criteria

Age

The applicants must be under 45 years of age.

English Language

The applicants must have sufficient English language ability.

Skills & Qualifications

The main Skilled Independent Visa applicant:

Must meet the qualifications and/or work experience requirements of the appropriate skills assessing body for their profession and must have been assessed as suitable by the relevant body for the nominated occupation;

Must nominate a skilled occupation that appears on both the most recent version of the Skilled Occupations List and the Occupations in Demand List of the State they intend on gaining sponsorship through;

Must have been in recent paid employment in their skilled occupation for at least 12 months out of the last 24. The exact requirements for obtaining sponsorship may vary from state to state. 

Health & Character

Australia has strict health and character requirements that must be met before any permanent visa of more than 12 months will be granted. Also there are some more requirements:

Undergo a medical examination and chest x-ray undertaken by one of a panel of doctors selected by the Australian authorities, and;

Obtain police certificates for all countries in which you have lived for more than 12 months in the 10 years leading up to the application.

Processing Times

The current processing time is 2-12 months from the date your application is lodged.