Skilled Independent (subclass 885)

Overview

The Skilled Independent (subclass 885) visa is a permanent visa for migrants who want to immigrate to Australia based upon skills and experience which Australia considers in need.

This visa replaced the previous Skilled - Independent Overseas Student (subclass 880) visa on 01 September 2007. The visa can only be applied for by individuals who are already in Australia on a valid visa. They must also be in Australia when the visa is granted.

This visa is assessed by a points system, with 65 points required to pass.

Eligibility

A number of requirements must be met to receive an onshore Skilled Independent (subclass 885) visa.

Required Visas

Applicants must hold one of the following visas when they apply:

• A student visa (excluding ELICOS, government sponsored, AusAid and Defence Sector Student visas)
• Either a Bridging visa A or Bridging visa B granted because a valid application for a visa other than an ineligible student visa has been made or a substantive visa other than an ineligible student visa -- and the applicant has held an eligible student visa for the last six months
• A Skilled - Recognised Graduate visa (subclass 476)
• A Skilled - Graduate visa (subclass 485)
• A Trade Skills Training visa (subclass 471)

Age and Language Requirements

Applicants must be 50 years of age or under or hold a Skilled - Graduate visa.

Applicants must meet English language requirements of competent English.

Required Qualifications

Applicants must nominate an occupation listed on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL). The applicant must also have applied for a skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for the applicant's nominated occupation.

The applicant must also have either:

• met the two year study requirement in the last six months with Australian qualifications closely related to their nominated occupation; or
• if the applicant hold's a Skilled - Graduate (subclass 485) visa or a Skilled - Recognised Graduate (subclass 476) visa, nominated an occupation closely related to the study used to obtain that visa; or
• if the applicant hold's a Trade Skills Training (subclass 471) visa, has completed the apprenticeship for which the visa was granted and which is closely related to the nominated occupation

Applicants must also have a suitable skills assessment in the nominated occupation and meet the points test threshold of 65 points, as well as meet all health and character requirements.