How can I live permanently in Australia under the General Skilled migration scheme ?

There are five types of categories under which you can apply for skilled migration to Australia :

Independent migrants : for those who meet the basic requirements and who are not sponsored.
Sponsored : for those who may not be able to meet the pass mark of the Points test but are seeking to be nominated by a State and Territory Government or an employer.
Designate Area sponsored : for those who have a sponsor who lives in a designated area.
Australian sponsored : for those who have a sponsor who lives outside a desgnated area.

Find more info on skilled australian visas

What are the basic requirements for a General Skilled Migration visa to Australia ?

To apply for a General Skilled Migration visa to Australia you, or your spouse, must be able to satisfy basic requirements :

be under 45 when you apply
have sufficient ability in the English language for working in Australia
have post-secondary (such as university or trade) qualifications

Your skills must have been assessed by the relevant assessing authority for your nominated occupation before you apply. In the Skilled-Independent Overseas Student subclass your skills must be assessed as 'suitable' before you apply;

have a nominated occupation which fits your skills and qualifications when you apply. Your nominated occupation must be on the Skilled Occupations List (SOL)
recent work experience

What is the points test ?

For Skilled - Australian sponsored and Skilled Independent categories, you will be assessed against a points test. Points can be awarded for :

skill
age
English language ability
specific work experience
occupation in demand (and job offer)
Australian qualifications
spouse skills
relationship (for Skilled Australian sponsored only)
Regional Australia - study and residence.

Points are awarded once the basic requirements have been satisfied.
Bonus points can be awarded for only one of the following :

Capital investment
Australian Skilled work experience
Fluency in one of Australia's major community languages, other than English.

Will my application be assessed against the points test ?

If you apply to migrate to Australia under the Skilled-Australian Sponsored category or any of the Skilled-Independent categories, you will be assessed against the points test.

If you apply under the various Skilled Designated Area Sponsored categories, you are not points tested, but instead are assessed against threshold criteria only. You should also note that some criteria in these categories have lower thresholds than the points tested ones.

What is a pool mark ?

If you do not achieve the pass mark in the points test, the pool mark is the total number of points you must score if your application is to be held in reserve for up to 2 years after it has been assessed, in case a lower pass mark is set.

What is the Skilled Occupations List (SOL) ?

The SOL sets out skilled occupations for migration to Australia under the General Skilled Migration (GSM) visa categories and the number of points awarded to each skilled occupation. It also lists the name of the Australian assessing authority responsible for assessing whether a person’s skills/qualifications meet the Australian Standard. In order to lodge a valid GSM application, you must nominate an occupation that is on the SOL when you apply.

If you are sponsored by a relative who lives in Sydney or a Selected Area (as defined by postcode) you will need to nominate your occupation from the Sydney and Selected Areas Skills Shortage List (SSASSL). If your occupation is not on this list, you cannot apply.

What is the Sydney and Selected Areas Skilled Shortage List (SSASSL) and who must nominate an occupation listed on SSASSL ?

The SSASSL sets out skilled occupations for applicants intending to apply for a Skilled - Australian Sponsored visa (Class BQ, subclass 138) whose sponsor resides in Sydney, Gosford, Newcastle or Wollongong. These applicants must nominate a skilled occupation from the SSASSL.

How do I have my skills assessed ?

Before you apply, you must have your skills and qualifications assessed by the relevant Australian assessing authority for your nominated occupation. No other assessing body’s assessment is acceptable. Your skills must be assessed as suitable for your occupation.
Form 1121i, Skilled occupation list also gives the Assessing Authority for the nominated occupation.

Do I need to have my English language ability tested ?

You must have sufficient ability in the English language for working in Australia. This is known as 'vocational English'.

Applicants whose first language is English and hold a British, Irish, Canadian, New Zealand or U.S passport will be considered to meet the English language threshold without needing to sit an English language test. However, extra points can be obtained by passing an IELTS test.

It is your responsibility to contact an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test centre to make arrangements. You do not need a letter of introduction or referral from the department to take the IELTS test. More information on the IELTS test can be found here.

Who can sponsor my Skilled Migration application ?

In order to apply for one of the Skilled Migrations Sponsored visas you or your spouse must be related to the sponsor as :

a non-dependent child - includes natural, adopted or stepchildren, or
a parent, or
a brother or sister - includes adoptive and step brothers and sisters, or
a niece or nephew - includes adoptive and step nieces and nephews,
a first cousin (Note: Designated Area Sponsored only), or
a grandchild (Note: Designated Area Sponsored only).

Your sponsor is someone who is:

living in Australia and is a citizen, permenant resident or eligible New Zealand citizen.
is living in a designated area of Australia (if applying under a Designated Area sponsored category).

Your sponsor must be prepared to: