Skilled - Sponsored (Migrant) Visa (Subclass 176)

This visa allows you to migrate to Australia if you have good English language skills and have skills and qualifications in an occupation in need in Australia.

This visa uses a points test to select visa applicants with characteristics needed in the Australian labour market.

You must be sponsored by an eligible relative living in Australia or obtain nomination from a participating State or Territory government agency.

This visa is for you if you:

• are under 45 years of age
• have the skills and qualifications that meet the Australian standard for an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL)

The SOL is a list of skilled occupations that are in need in Australia. Each occupation listed on the SOL is allocated a points value for use in the visa assessment process.

This visa also requires that either:

• you, your spouse or your interdependent partner have an eligible relative living in Australia who is willing and able to sponsor you
  or
• you have a nomination from a participating State or Territory government agency.

Note: All State and Territory governments in Australia are participating in this visa scheme.

This visa allows you and any secondary applicants included in your visa application to live as permanent residents in Australia.

Australian permanent residents can:

• live and work in Australia on a permanent basis
• study in Australia at school or university
• receive subsidised healthcare through Medicare and the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)
• access certain social security payments (subject to waiting periods)
• be eligible for Australian citizenship (subject to the residency eligibility criteria)
• sponsor people for permanent residence

This is a permanent residence visa. As a permanent resident you are permitted to remain in Australia indefinitely. This visa also allows you to travel to and enter Australia for five (5) years from the date the visa is granted. The expiry of this visa does not affect your permanent resident status if you are in Australia. However, if you wish to continue to travel to and from Australia as a permanent resident after the initial visa has expired, you must obtain a Resident Return Visa (RRV). Your eligibility for an RRV will depend on the period that you have resided in Australia.

To be eligible for this visa you must be either:

• nominated by a participating State or Territory government
  or
• sponsored by an eligible relative living in Australia

This visa has a points test designed to select visa applicants who have characteristics that will help them find a full time job in an occupation that matches their skills and is required in Australia.

Main applicant and secondary applicant obligations

1. You and any secondary applicants must comply with all Australian laws as permanent residents.
2. If you are nominated by a State or Territory government, you need to agree to:

• remain in the State or Territory for a period of at least two (2) years
• keep the State or Territory government informed of changes in address details before and after arrival
• be prepared to complete surveys and provide information as required

Eligible relative sponsor obligations

An eligible relative sponsor is required to sign a sponsorship undertaking.

This is an agreement to provide:

• adequate accommodation and/or financial assistance as required to meet their relative’s living needs during their first two (2) years in Australia
• other support, such as child care, to enable their relatives to attend English language classes
• information and advice (including information about employment in Australia) to help their relatives settle in Australia

The two (2) year period starts from the date the applicant enters Australia as a holder of this visa.

Skilled - Sponsored (Migrant) visa (subclass 176)

Charge Type	Charge Amount
1st instalment	$2105
2nd instalment	$2925