Basic Requirements


For general skilled migration to Australia, you or your spouse must be able to satisfy all of the following basic requirements:

Age
You must be under 45 years of age when you apply.

English language
You must have sufficient ability in the English language for working in Australia. This is known as 'vocational English'. A higher level of English is required for certain occupations where English ability forms part of the skills assessment. This information will be available from the relevant assessing authority. In the SkilledDesignated Area and the Skill Matching visa categories, a lower level of English may apply. You are encouraged to have your English language ability tested before you apply.

Qualifications
You must have post-secondary (such as university or trade) qualifications (in a small number of occupations, substantial relevant work experience may be acceptable). Your skills must have been assessed by the relevant assessing authority as suitable for your nominated occupation.

Skills assessment
Before you apply, you must have had your skills assessed by the relevant Australian assessing authority (as outlined on form 1121i, Skilled Occupations List), for your nominated occupation.
These assessment authorities are responsible for undertaking skills assessment for migration purposes, and are not employment agencies. They will not reply to requests for job placement. Nor can they give advice on the allocation of points.

Nominated occupation
When you apply, you must nominate an occupation which fits your skills and qualifications. Your nominated occupation must be on the Skilled Occupations List (SOL) - see form 1121i.

(Note: this is a PDF file requiring the Adobe Acrobat Reader, version 4 or later, on your computer.) If your nominated occupation is not on the SOL, you cannot apply.

Recent work experience
Applicants are required to have gain specific work experience (subject to types of nominated occupation) prior to application. However, Australian graduates are exempted from this requirement.

Australian qualification exemption
You do not need to meet the work experience requirement if you meet the 2 years study in Australia requirement less than 6 months before lodging your visa application.

This exemption cannot, however, be used to waive any specific work experience requirement imposed by an assessing body as part of a skills assessment. If you intend taking advantage of this concession, you should note that the 6 month period begins from the date of you completed the qualification, not from the date the qualification was conferred.


If you are unable to satisfy these basic requirements, you should NOT continue with a General Skilled Migration application.

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