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Visas, Immigration and Refugees

Professionals and other Skilled Workers

System Outage, Maintenance and Technical Issues

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

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Changes to English language requirements for offshore applicants from 1 July 2009

On 1 July 2009, changes to the minimum English language requirement for General Skilled Migration applicants came into effect. These changes affect applications for subclasses 175, 176 and 475.

Important: The eVisa lodgement process does not automatically identify these changes or prevent lodgement for clients whose English language levels no longer meet the minimum requirements for these visas. Applications lodged without providing evidence of meeting the new English requirements will not meet the criteria for grant of a visa. Clients using the eVisa system who are claiming Concessional Competent English may also be affected by these changes. More information is available on the department’s website.
See: Changes to English Language Requirements for Offshore Applicants

Important – 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.  This is a technical problem with the department’s systems and we are working towards resolving this issue.

The Third Party Authorisation allows the applicant to authorise a recipient for all written communications relating to the application that would otherwise have been sent to the applicant. Where the person entering the application is not known to the department and the link to 'Complete email to Authorised third party’ is selected, a 'Server 500' error message is displayed.
Note: This error will not prevent the lodgement of the visa application.

Known users will not be experiencing this problem.
Example: Migration Agents

How to authorise a third party as an unknown user

Users who have experienced the above problem can download the Form 956 - Appointment of a migration agent or exempt agent or other authorised recipient. You will be required to complete the form, print it out, scan and save it as a document and attach it to the electronic General Skilled Migration visa application.
See:
Form 956 (149KB PDF file)
Attaching Documents to a General Skilled Migration Visa Application

About Online Applications

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

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

Online visa options

General Skilled Migration applications can be made online for:

Online Eligibility

On starting an application, you will be asked some questions to determine if you are eligible to continue. If the eVisa 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 so 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.

Sponsorship

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.

Start an application

Priority processing arrangements

Priority processing arrangements for General Skilled Migration applications apply and will affect when applications are finalised. Further information is available on the department's website.
See: What's New? Recent Changes in General Skilled Migration

Complete an application

Check the progress of an application

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