Subclass 176: Skilled Sponsored (Migrant) - Offshore

This is a permanent visa with unrestricted work rights. The applicants must be sponsored by a state/territory government. (Sponsorship by relatives is no longer available from 1/7/2011.)

To be eligible to apply, applicants must meet the Threshold requirements and a Point Test.

Pass Mark = 65.

Other Information:

• Threshold English (IELTS 6) and Skills Assessment results must be submitted when the application is made.
• Applicants can be in or outside Australia at time of lodgement, but must be outside Australia at time of approval of the visa.
• Applicants must have been nominated by a state or territory government at the time of making the application.
• Overseas students meeting the Australian Study Requirement in the last six months with qualifications closely related to your nominated skilled occupation can also apply for a subclass 176 visa (if for some reasons they are not able to apply for the Residence 885 or 886 visa).
• Overseas students nominating a trade occupation must only meet the work experience criterion (ie work experience waiver is no longer available from 1/1/2010). If work experience is to be used, there is no need to undertake the Job Ready program for the purpose of the skills assessment.

See: State Migration Plans – for information regarding nomination by state and territory governments.

Please contact Abacus office should you require further information regarding this visa.