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Visas, Immigration and Refugees

Professionals and other Skilled Workers

Planned System Maintenance and Technical Issues

For detailed information about planned systems maintenance or current technical issues including known system errors.
See: Planned System Maintenance and Technical Issues


Before you start

Before you continue we strongly recommend that you read all the information about Professionals and other Skilled Migrants as there has been recent changes to the program.

See:
Professional and Other Skilled Migrants
What's New? Recent Changes in General Skilled Migration

Online applications can be made using a computer with an Internet connection.

To apply online, your browser must support 128 bit encryption. You can check your browser if you experience problems connecting to these services.
See: Online Services – Browser Requirements

Skill Matching Database

From 1 July 2011, the department will no longer include application details on the skills matching database. We recommend that, when completing the online application form, you answer 'no' to the question "Do you want your details to be included on the Skill Matching Database?" for both yourself and your spouse/de facto partner if applicable.
See: Decommissioning of the Skilled Matching Database

Start an application

You are encouraged to complete your application with as much information as possible at time of lodgement. Applications with missing information may take longer to finalise.

Third party authorisation

A number of clients are experiencing problems completing the email to authorise a third party from within the electronic General Skilled Migration visa application.
See: Planned System Maintenance and Technical Issues

Application Related Information Link
General Skilled Migration Application

General Skilled Migration applications can be made online for:

  • Skilled – Independent (Residence) visa (subclass 885)
  • Skilled – Sponsored (Residence) visa (subclass 886)
  • Skilled – Regional visa (subclass 887)
  • Skilled – Regional Sponsored visa (subclass 487)
  • Skilled – Graduate visa (subclass 485)
  • Skilled – Independent (Migrant) visa (subclass 175)
  • Skilled – Sponsored (Migrant) visa (subclass 176)
  • Skilled – Regional Sponsored visa (subclass 475)
  • Skilled – Recognised Graduate visa (subclass 476)

Note: When starting an application, you will be asked some questions to determine if you are eligible to continue. If the system indicates you are not eligible to apply online, you will need to post or courier a 'paper' application to the department.

Important: This manual process may take longer than applying online and you should allow sufficient time to prepare and lodge a 'paper' application. The department is unable to extend the period of time an applicant has to lodge an application.

Application for a General Skilled Migration visa
General Skilled Migration – Sponsorship Application

For an eligible relative living in Australia seeking to sponsor you or a participating state or territory government agency who is offering nomination.
Note: If you lodge your visa application online your sponsor must also complete an online form. You must lodge your visa application before your sponsor can complete and submit an online sponsorship application.

Sponsoring a General Skilled Migration visa applicant

Continue a saved application

Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) introduced

On 1 July 2010, the department introduced the occupation classification standard, known as the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO). If you partially completed and saved an online application prior to 1 July 2010 and retrieve it on or after 1 July 2010, you will be required to re-enter your occupation information to the ANZSCO standard.
See: Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO)

Application Related Information Link
General Skilled Migration Application You will need to use your Saved Application ID and password. Continue a saved application

To complete an application you may be required to fill in Health Forms and attach supporting documentation.
See:
Download health forms (if required)
Attaching Documents to a General Skilled Migration Application

Check the progress of your lodged application

Application Related Information Link
General Skilled Migration Application You will need to use your Transaction Reference Number (TRN).

Note: Singapore and German citizens may experience problems checking on the progress of their application through the department's query application status facility.
Check the progress of your application

Singapore Visa Applications

German Visa Applications

Help

Please read all available information before starting the application. If you are experiencing difficulty with the application, most fields have help that can be accessed by clicking on the Help icon symbol.

If this help does not meet your needs please contact the department.
See: Visa Enquiries – Professionals and Other Skilled Migrants Visas