How does this visa work and How do you apply for it ?

The initial visa (a subclass 495 visa) is formally called a SKILLED INDEPENDENT REGIONAL (provisional) VISA and referred to as the "SIR" visa.

To apply for this visa you must meet the following criteria:-

1. You must have vocational English
   • This means you must be a native English speaker from e.g. the UK, or,
   • You must write and IELTS test and score no less than 5 for each of the 4 IELTS components, or,
   • If you studied in Australia for at least 2 years, at an institution where all tuition was conducted in English, you *may* meet this requirement as well.
2. You must nominate an occupation on the SOL
   • Note we do not expect that all the states will accept all occupations on the SOL for sponsorship !
3. Your nominated occupation must be formally assessed by the relevant assessing agency or authority
   • This is exactly similar to the current requirements for skilled migration
4. You must be under age 45
5. The visa is points tested to 110 currently, which means you have to satisfy the normal skills criteria e.g. age, language, occupation, work experience, bonus points etc.
   • Note that you will be awarded 10 points if a state agrees to sponsor you
6. If you nominate a 60 point occupation, you must meet the recent work experience criteria.
   • This means: you must show that you worked in that occupation at least 12 of the preceding 18 months immediately before making application for the visa, and similarly, if you nominate a 40 or 50 point occupation, you must evidence work / employment for at least 24 in the preceding 36 months immediately before making the application.
   • What does "work" mean ?
     • That means a minimum of 20 hours per week, for which you were paid, in your nominated or (very) closely related occupation.
     • OR you may be eligible for a waiver of this requirement because you have recently completed an Australian qualification after a minimum of two years study in Australia
     • Students, or rather those student who completed a minimum of 2 years full time study in Australia (see below) may also apply for the 495 visa or progress directly to the 137 or PR visa.
   • What does 2 years of full time study mean (in relation to the Migration Act and visa requirements) ?
     • You have to study at least 2 years full time towards a degree or diploma or a combination of courses ...
     • The study (ies) must be completed at the SAME institution
     • The studies must be relevant to your nominated occupation
     • The courses / studies must be presented in English (only)
     • You can combine for instance a 1.5 year degree with a further post grad diploma to meet the 2 year full time study requirement provided both qualifications are relevant to your nominated occupation. (you can not nominate yourself as a Cook, if part of your 2 year studies were for instance a 12 month motor mechanics diploma)
7. You must do (and pass) the normal medicals and police clearances

Who should (or can) apply for this visa ?

• If you meet the basic skills criteria, but can not reach the pass mark (points test) of 120, (but can achieve at least 110 points) then this visa is the way into Australia, or
• You completed studies in Australia but still only get to 110 points, or
• You applied for a skilled independent visa, and you are now in the "pool" - You need to first obtain state sponsorship, then pay the application fee for the SIR visa (reduced for these applicants), and lodge your application on or before the date specified in your invitation letter (DIMA will invite "pooled" applicants who have obtained a score of 110 or more to make application for this visa)
• Most states now also require that you evidence net assets of no less than $ 100 000 in the 6 months before application is made before they will approve sponsorship