All applicants are required to provide the following documents at the time of lodging their application for State Sponsorship:
- a positive skills assessment (see below);
- evidence of a current International English Language Testing System (IELTS) result* (see below); and
- a current curriculum vitae demonstrating relevant work experience
* UK, Irish, USA, Canadian and New Zealand passport holders claiming Competent English (at least 6.0 in each of the individual components of the IELTS test), will not be required to provide an IELTS result although will need to provide a copy of their passport biopage.
All applicants, INCLUDING passport holders of the UK, Ireland, USA, Canada and New Zealand, claiming Proficient (at least 7.0 in each of the individual components of the IELTS test) or Superior English (at least 8.0 in each of the individual components of the IELTS test), for any occupation, are required to provide a valid IELTS result as part of their application.
The General IELTS Test is sufficient for the purposes of State Sponsorship, however some Assessing Authorities may require applicants to complete the Academic Test as part of the Skills Assessment process.
Apply for State Sponsorship online.
International students who have studied outside of Western Australia
Prior to lodging an application for State Sponsorship all international students, are required to provide a positive skills assessment, IELTS result, study completion letter for the duration of a two year study period and curriculum vitae.
How to apply for state sponsorship
International students who have completed their study outside of Western Australia (eg Melbourne or Sydney) must provide evidence that they have;
- been granted a Graduate (Temporary) visa (subclass 485);
- 12 months full time work experience (at least 20 hours per week) gained after completing two years Australian study; and
- work experience in the nominated or relevant occupation, on a full time basis (at least 20 hours per week) and in Western Australia**.
**Work experienced is evidenced by providing:
- letter(s) of employment covering at least 12 months; and
- most recent payslip from employer.
Apply for State Sponsorship online.
International students who have studied in Western Australia
Prior to lodging an application for State sponsorship Western Australian international students, are required to provide a positive skills assessment, IELTS result, study completion letter for the duration of a two year study period and a curriculum vitae.
How to apply for state sponsorship
International students who have completed their study in Western Australia 12 months prior to applying for sponsorship must provide evidence that they have applied for one of the following:
- Skilled – Sponsored (Residence) visa (subclass 886);
- Been granted a Graduate (Temporary) visa (subclass 485);
- Skilled – Sponsored (Migrant) visa (subclass 176);
- Skilled – Regional Sponsored (Provisional) visas (subclass 475) or (subclass 487); and
- are working in Western Australia.
Apply for State Sponsorship online.
Criteria for off-list nominations
Off-list places will be offered to applicants who meet the criteria set by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) for General Skilled Migration as at 1 July 2011 and can provide evidence of job opportunities in their nominated occupation in Western Australia. Evidence for State Sponsorship can be provided in the following ways:
- tentative job offer from employer/s (ie willingness to interview an applicant if they are successful in being granted a visa); or
- evidence of at least three employment opportunities in their nominated occupation in Western Australia. This includes online job websites and newspapers.
Criteria for off-list nominations for international students
International students who have completed at least two years full time study in Australia and hold a Skilled – Graduate (Temporary) visa (subclass 485) or have applied for a State sponsored visa, who meet the DIAC criteria as at 1 July 2011, may be considered for an off-list nomination.
Studied in Western Australia
Applicants are required to provide evidence of employment in their nominated or relevant occupation in Western Australia, post qualification. The following documents will be required to evidence work experience:
- letter/s of employment (must state dates of employment); and
- most recent payslip from employer.
Studied outside of Western Australia
Applicants are required to provide evidence they have worked in Western Australia in their nominated occupation for the last 12 months, post qualification.
Work experience must be gained in Western Australia on a full time, continuous basis. The following documents will be required to evidence work experience:
- letter/s of employment (must state dates of employment); and
- most recent payslip from employer.
Additionally, all applicants will need to provide a job offer of further employment for at least 12 months in their nominated or relevant occupation.
Positive skills assessment
To migrate to Australia via one of the skilled visa pathways you must first obtain a positive skills assessment.
You will need to have an occupation that is on the Department of Immigration and Citizenship’s (DIAC) Skilled Occupation List at the time you apply. This document lists all the occupations currently eligible for General Skilled Migration as well as the number of points awarded for each occupation and the relevant skill assessing authority.
Each assessing authority has its own assessment procedures, timeframes and charges. You should contact the appropriate organisation well before you intend to lodge your visa application.
Some of DIAC's key assessing authorities include:
International English Language Testing System
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test is administered by an international organisation and evaluates the applicant’s ability for the four English language components:
- reading;
- writing;
- speaking; and
- listening.
As an applicant for a General Skilled Migration visa you are required to demonstrate that you meet the English language threshold for State Sponsorship and the visa.
The General IELTS test is sufficient for the purposes of State Sponsorship, however some Assessing Authorities may require applicants complete the Academic Test as part of the Skills Assessment process.
Further information about the IELTS test and the testing locations can be found at www.ielts.org.