This is a permanent residence visa for points-tested skilled workers who want to work and live in Australia. To be able to apply for this visa you need to submit an expression of interest and then be invited through SkillSelect to apply.  You can be in or outside Australia when you apply and when the visa is granted.

EOI – To be able to apply for this visa, you must first submit an expression of interest and then be invited through SkillSelect fortnight selections that happen every second and 4th Saturday of every month. If you receive an invitation, you will have 60 days to apply online for the visa. During that time, you cannot change the information or claim additional points on your expression of interest.

• After this time, visa holders must obtain a resident return visa if travelling overseas and wanting to return to Australia as permanent residents.
• Social Security – New migrants must wait 2 years before they can receive most social security income support payments.
• Health care – Permanent residence holders are entitled to immediate entitlement of public heath care through a Government scheme called Medicare.
• Schooling – Children aged between 6-18 years are entitled to attend public (government-funded) schools.
• Family tax benefit – There are no waiting periods for family tax benefit
• Parenting payment – Generally, to qualify for a parenting payment, a person has to live in Australia as a permanent resident for at least 2 years. Different rules apply for single parents.
• Aged Pension – Usually to qualify for an aged pension, a person must have lived in Australia as a permanent resident for at least 10 years.
• Disability Support pension – If a permanent resident becomes unable to work for at least 30 hours per week because of a disability, they are entitled to claim a disability support pension no matter how long they have been living in Australia.

You might be eligible to apply for this visa if invited. When you receive a letter of invitation, you must also have:

• Nominated an occupation that is on the relevant skilled occupation list
• Obtained a suitable skills assessment for that occupation
• Not yet turned 50 years of age
• Achieved the score specified in your letter of invitation based on the factors in the points test
• At least competent English.