Overview of General Skilled Migration (GSM)
General Skilled Migration (GSM) is Australia's primary economic immigration program designed for skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer but hold skills and qualifications in demand on the Australian Skilled Occupation List.
The Three Main Skilled Visa Subclasses
1. Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)
A permanent residency visa that does not require state or employer sponsorship. You can live and work anywhere in Australia.
- Must have an occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)
- Minimum 65 points required on the points test
- Invited through SkillSelect rounds
2. Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)
A state-nominated permanent visa offering 5 additional bonus points from the nominating Australian state (VIC, NSW, WA, SA, QLD, ACT, TAS, NT).
- Allows permanent residency upon grant
- Commitment to live and work in the nominating state for 2 years
- Targeted state invitation rounds prioritizing specific occupation lists
3. Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491)
A 5-year provisional visa providing 15 additional bonus points for applicants nominated by a regional state government or sponsored by an eligible family member in designated regional Australia.
- Direct transition to PR via Subclass 191 after 3 years
- Access to Medicare and Australian schooling in regional areas
Key Eligibility Requirements
- Age: Must be under 45 years of age at the time of invitation.
- English Competency: Minimum Competent English (IELTS 6.0 / PTE 50 in each band). Proficient (7.0 / 65) or Superior (8.0 / 79) gives 10-20 points.
- Positive Skills Assessment: Official assessment from your designated authority (ACS, EA, VETASSESS, ANMAC, CPA).
- Points Score: Score at least 65 points on the Department of Home Affairs points table.
Calculate Your Points Online
Use our free interactive PR Points Calculator to check your exact score for subclasses 189, 190, and 491.
Open PR Calculator