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Visas, Immigration and Refugees

Professionals and other Skilled Workers

   

System Outages and Maintenance

Page navigation error

Some clients are currently experiencing a page navigation error when completing the first page of their eVisa application. In some instances this may be due to clients using Internet Explorer version 8.

We recommend using Internet Explorer version 6 or below. Additional information on supported browsers is available.
See: Online Services-Browser Requirements

Scheduled maintenance

  • Wednesdays from 6.00 am to 8.00 am AEST (GMT + 10). The eLodgement systems may be unavailable during these times.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

For further detailed information about known errors or system outages and maintenance either current or upcoming, please click on the following link.
See: System Outages and Maintenance

 
   

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Information about changes to English language requirements for offshore applicants

On 12 May 2009 the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship announced that the English language requirement for all GSM applicants who nominate a trade occupation will be increased to a minimum of 6.0 (Competent English) in each of the four components of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test.

The current requirement for those GSM applicants who have nominated a trade occupation is a minimum of 5.0 (Vocational English) on each component of the IELTS test.

From 1 July 2009 applicants lodging visa applications for subclasses 175 and 176 with a nominated trade occupation will have to provide evidence of IELTS 6.0 in each of the four components.

In addition to this, Concessional Competent English has been raised from an average of IELTS 5.5 to at least an average of IELTS 6.0 for applicants of provisional GSM visa subclass 475.
Note: Applicants with a nominated trade occupation in subclasses 175 and 176 who wish to lodge an eVisa application will not be stopped from completing the application even if the evidence they provide does not meet the new English language threshold requirements. Similarly, eVisa applications from all applicants of subclass 475 will continued to be accepted by the system even if the evidence they provide does not does not meet the new English language threshold requirements. However, applicants who fail to provide evidence of meeting the new threshold for the English language requirement will be refused as they will fail to meet the legislative criteria for a visa grant.

If you have a partner included in your application, you can be awarded points if your partner meets the new threshold for the English language requirement. Further information about all visa requirements is available on the department’s website.
See: Visa Options

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
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

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