About this Visa

This visa allows overseas students who have completed their course studies in the last six months in Australia and holders of certain temporary visas to apply for permanent residency.

This visa uses a points test to select visa applicants with the skills and attributes needed in the Australian labour market.

You do not require sponsorship to apply for this visa.

Who is this visa for?

This visa is for you if you are in Australia and you are one of the following:

• an overseas student or former overseas student
• a holder of a Skilled – Graduate (subclass 485) visa or Skilled – Recognised Graduate (subclass 476) visa
• a holder of a Trade Skills Training (subclass 471) visa.

You must:

• be under 50 years of age
• have competent English language skills
• have the skills and qualifications that meet the Australian standard for an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL).

The SOL is a list of skilled occupations of high value to the Australian labour market.
See: Skilled Occupation List

How much does this visa cost?

You must pay the relevant visa application charge when you lodge your visa application.
See: Professionals and other Skilled Migrants

What does this visa let me do?

This visa allows you and any secondary applicants included in your visa application to live as permanent residents in Australia.

Australian permanent residents can:

• live and work in Australia on a permanent basis
• study in Australia at school, Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector or university
• receive subsidised healthcare through Medicare and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)
• access certain social security payments (subject to waiting periods)
• be eligible for Australian citizenship (subject to the residency eligibility criteria)
• sponsor people for permanent residence.