General skilled migration

Australia's skilled migration categories are specifically targeted at skilled migrants who are able to contribute skills and experience to Australia. 

The General Skilled Migration program is for people who are not sponsored by an employer and who have skills in particular occupations required in Australia. Applicants must be over 18 and under 45 years of age, with good English language ability, and recent skilled work experience unless they recently completed an eligible Australian qualification.

Applicants must also have skills and qualifications for an occupation listed on Australia's Skilled Occupation List (SOL)

There are many skilled visas available, but all have basic criteria. For general skilled migration to Australia, you or your spouse must be able to satisfy the following basic requirements:

• be qualified in a profession or trade occupation which appears on the Australian Government’s 
• be under 45 year old
• have good English ability and, 
• in most cases, recent work experience.
• Skills Assessment  - Before you are able to lodge a skilled visa application, you must have a skills assessment in your nominated occupation.  There are many different skills assessing authorities that vary depending on which occupation you have nominated. Each assessing authority has different criteria for the assessment. 

The pass mark is the minimum number of total points which you must score before you can make a valid visa application.

If you score below the pass mark but higher than the 'pool mark' your visa application will be held in the pool for up to 2 years. If the pass mark is lowered at any time within the 2 years and your score is equal to or higher than the new pass mark, your application will be processed further.

The table below lists the entire current pass and pool marks for the points-tested visas in the General Skilled Migration category.