Skilled Sponsored (subclass 886)

Overview

This visa is very similar to the onshore Skilled Independent (subclass 885); however, it requires sponsorship from a relative or State/Territory government. This permanent visa replaced the Skilled - Australian Sponsored Overseas Student (subclass 881) visa.

This visa is assessed by a points system, with 100 points required to pass. There is no reserve pool for this visa.

Eligibility

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

Sponsorship

Applicants for this visa must be sponsored by an eligible relative living in Australia or a State/Territory government.

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 under 45 years of age or hold a Skilled - Graduate visa.

Applicants must meet English language requirements of:

• Competent English
• Vocational English if the applicant's nominated occupation is a trade

Required Qualifications

Applicants must nominate a 50 point or 60 point 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 - Recongised 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, 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 100 points, as well as meet all health and character requirements.