VIEN

Australian Skilled Migration

Introduction

Prosperous Living Investment (PLI) provides skilled immigration services for Australia, supporting candidates in obtaining Australian permanent residency through six primary pathways: General Skilled Migration (subclass 189, 190, 491) and Employer Sponsored (482, 186, 494).
PLI assesses GSM points, connects candidates with Approved Sponsors, and coordinates with MARA-registered migration agents. We provide end-to-end support from the initial assessment to the receipt of the PR card and Australian citizenship after 4 years.
Introduction to the Australian Skilled Immigration Programme

Programme Overview

Flexible pathways

General Skilled Migration (GSM) includes 3 points-tested visas: Skilled Independent (189), Skilled Nominated (190), and Skilled Work Regional (491). Employer Sponsored includes 3 visas: Skills in Demand (482), Employer Nomination Scheme (186), and Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (494).

Processing time

Subclass 189: 6–12 months. Subclass 190: 5–10 months. Subclass 491: 4–8 months. Subclass 482: 4–6 months for Standard Processing (1 month for Specialist Skills). Subclass 186: 6–12 months. Subclass 494: 4–8 months.

Benefits

Permanent visas (189, 190, 186) grant permanent residency immediately. Provisional visas (491, 494) are 5-year temporary visas, which transition to PR via Subclass 191 after 3 years of living and working in a regional area. Subclass 482 transitions to 186 after 2 years.

Residence requirement

Australian PR requires maintaining residency to renew the Resident Return Visa every 5 years. Specifically: a minimum of 2 years of actual residence within 5 years is required for renewal. Citizenship: 4 years of continuous residence with 12 months spent as a PR holder.

Family

Spouses (or de facto partners of 12 months or more) and dependent children under 23 can be included in the same application. Spouses with relevant skills and qualifications can provide additional points to the main applicant (up to 10 points).

Citizenship

Eligible to apply for Australian citizenship after 4 years of continuous residence, including 12 months as a PR holder. Requires passing the Australian Citizenship Test. Australia allows dual citizenship — there is no need to renounce Vietnamese citizenship. An Australian passport provides visa-free access to over 185 countries.

Benefits of Australian permanent residency

Permanent residency
Australian PR allows you to live, work, and study in any state without time restrictions. The PR card does not expire, but a Resident Return Visa (RRV) must be renewed every 5 years for international travel.
Live and work freely
After receiving PR, you are no longer tied to your initial employer (including the 482→186 transition). You are free to work, start a business, or invest in any industry in Australia. Gain full access to a world-leading labour market with high salaries.
Top-tier education for children
Children of permanent residents receive free education in the public school system from preschool to Year 12. Upon entering university, they enjoy domestic tuition fees — 60–70% lower than international students. Australia is home to 7 of the world's top 100 universities (Group of Eight).
Benefits of Australian permanent residency
Comprehensive social security
After 2 years of holding PR, you are eligible for Centrelink social benefits: unemployment benefits, family tax benefits, and pensions. The Superannuation system (mandatory retirement savings) ensures financial security in old age.
Medicare public healthcare
Permanent residents are entitled to Medicare — Australia's universal public health system. Basic medical examinations, surgeries, and healthcare services are free or heavily subsidised. The Australian healthcare system is ranked in the world's top 10 for quality.
Citizenship pathway and powerful passport
After 4 years of residence with 12 months as a PR holder, you are eligible to apply for Australian citizenship. The Australian passport is ranked in the world's top 10, offering visa-free access to over 185 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, the Schengen Area, and many Asian nations.

Skilled immigration pathway

Subclass 189 Skilled Independent

Subclass 189: Skilled Independent

Points-tested permanent visas do not require sponsorship from a state or employer — candidates apply based on their points score. Requirements include an occupation on the MLTSSL, a skills assessment, and a minimum of 65 points in the Points Test (in practice, 85–95 points are needed to be competitive). Maximum age is 45. PR is granted immediately for the whole family.
Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated

Subclass 190: Skilled Nominated

Permanent visas requiring nomination from an Australian state or territory government. State nomination provides 5 bonus points to the GSM score. Each state has its own priority occupation list and specific criteria. Requires a commitment to live and work in the nominating state for at least 2 years. PR is granted immediately.
Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional

Subclass 491: Skilled Work Regional

5-year provisional visa requiring residence and employment in regional Australia (anywhere except Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane). Requires sponsorship from a state or a relative in a regional area. Provides 15 bonus points — the highest among GSM visas. After 3 years of living and working in a regional area → transition to Subclass 191 (permanent PR).
Subclass 482 Skills in Demand (SID)

Subclass 482: Skills in Demand (SID)

Employer-sponsored visa replacing the TSS from 12/2024. 3 streams: Core Skills (salary from AUD 79,499/year for occupations on the CSOL), Specialist Skills (salary from AUD 146,717/year, no skills assessment required), and Essential Skills (Labour Agreement). 4-year visa. After 2 years of employment → transition to Subclass 186 (permanent PR) via Temporary Residence Transition.
Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme

Subclass 186: Employer Nomination Scheme

Permanent visa sponsored by an Australian employer — grants PR directly. 2 main streams: Direct Entry (for those who have not held a 482, requires skills assessment) and Temporary Residence Transition (from 482 after 2 years). Requires age under 45, IELTS 6.0, and a full-time contract of at least 2 years. Grants permanent PR for the whole family.
Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional

Subclass 494: Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional

5-year provisional employer-sponsored visa for regional Australia. Requires an employment contract with a regional employer, an occupation on the regional list, age under 45, and good English proficiency. After 3 years of living and working in a regional area → transition to Subclass 191 (permanent PR). Advantage: less competition than metropolitan visas.

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Programme requirements

Occupations and qualifications

Bachelor's degree or higher (or equivalent vocational certificate) in an occupation on Australia's occupation lists (CSOL, MLTSSL, STSOL, or ROL depending on the pathway). A positive Skills Assessment from the relevant assessing authority is mandatory (e.g., ACS for IT, Engineers Australia for engineers, AHPRA for healthcare).

Work Experience

Minimum of 1 year of full-time work experience in the skilled occupation (or a closely related one) within the last 10 years. More experience = more points in the Points Test (up to 20 points for 8+ years overseas or 5+ years in Australia).

Age

Maximum age of 45 at the time of receiving the Invitation to Apply for most GSM and Employer Sponsored pathways. Candidates aged 25–32 receive the highest age points in the Points Test (30 points). After 33, points decrease by 5; after 40, they decrease by a further 10.

GSM points (for 189, 190, 491)

Minimum points to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI): 65 points. However, competition is high — most successful candidates achieve 85–95 points. Points are based on: age, English proficiency, experience, qualifications, state/regional nomination, and partner skills.

English language

Minimum Competent English: IELTS 6.0 in each band (or equivalent PTE 50, TOEFL iBT 64, OET B). High-skilled pathways require Proficient English (IELTS 7.0) or Superior English (IELTS 8.0) to receive maximum bonus points. Test results are valid for 3 years.

Health and background

Pass a medical examination by an appointed panel physician. No criminal record — provide police clearance certificates from Vietnam and any countries lived in for over 12 continuous months from age 16 onwards. Meet the Character Test requirements under the Migration Act 1958.

Implementation process

Obtain Australian permanent residency through the skilled pathway for your entire family with the expert team at Prosperous Living Investment.

Profile assessment

PLI specialists conduct a comprehensive assessment of your profile: occupation, qualifications, experience, English proficiency, age, and immigration goals. We calculate your projected GSM points, check your occupation against the CSOL/MLTSSL/STSOL/ROL lists, and advise on the most suitable of the 6 pathways. Assessment is completely free. Duration: 1–2 weeks.

Document preparation and prerequisites

PLI guides candidates in fulfilling prerequisites: achieving the required scores in IELTS, PTE Academic, OET, or TOEFL. Skills Assessment through relevant authorities (ACS, Engineers Australia, AHPRA, VETASSESS, TRA). Translation and notarisation of documents according to Australian standards. Duration: 3–9 months.

Job search (or work permit application)

For employer-sponsored pathways (482, 186, 494): PLI connects you with Approved Sponsor partners, provides interview coaching, and assists in negotiating contracts to meet salary requirements. For GSM (189, 190, 491): this step is skipped; proceed to step 4. Duration: 1–6 months.

Register for state nomination or submit EOI

Depending on the chosen pathway: (1) Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) via the SkillSelect system for 189; (2) Submit a state/territory nomination application for 190 and 491 (nomination adds 5–15 points); (3) Submit Sponsorship + Nomination from the employer for 482, 186, 494. Wait for an Invitation to Apply (ITA). Duration: 1–12 months depending on the pathway.

Applying for permanent residency

Once an ITA or Nomination is approved, the applicant has 60 days to submit a full visa application via ImmiAccount. The application includes: skills assessment, English language certification, academic qualifications, work experience, police clearance, and medical examinations. The Department of Home Affairs processes the application. Processing time: 4–12 months depending on the visa.

Receiving your PR card and the citizenship pathway

Upon approval, the applicant receives a visa grant notification and must enter Australia within the permitted timeframe. The PR status is digital (no physical card) – linked to the passport. After 4 years of continuous residence, including 12 months as a PR holder, one is eligible to apply for Australian citizenship. The Australian passport offers visa-free access to over 185 countries.
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Effectiveness

There is no one-size-fits-all here. Prosperous Living builds a personal strategy for each file based on financial capacity, business experience and family goals. That strategic approach makes the best use of time and resources and improves the chance of success.

Transparency

Prosperous Living advises within the law, works to a clear process and keeps up with the latest policy from each host government. Every pathway, cost and risk is explained in detail from the outset, so clients can make their investment decision with complete peace of mind.

Professionalism

The Prosperous Living advisory team works to a standard process, coordinating closely between immigration specialists, legal experts and partners worldwide. From assessment and documentation to post-arrival support, every step is methodical and joined up.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Below are common client queries regarding the Australian skilled immigration programme. If you require a more detailed consultation, please contact us.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

GSM is a points-based system – applicants apply based on points for age, English proficiency, experience, and qualifications. Subclass 189 requires no sponsorship, 190 requires state nomination (adding 5 points), and 491 is a regional visa adding 15 points. Employer Sponsored visas require a job offer from an Australian employer who is an Approved Sponsor – these are not dependent on points. Subclass 482 is a 4-year temporary visa leading to the 186 PR, 186 is direct PR, and 494 is a regional employer-sponsored visa. Programme conditions are as announced by theAustralian Department of Home Affairs.

The minimum score to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) is 65 points. However, in reality, competition is very high – most successful applicants for Subclass 189 require 85–95 points depending on the occupation. Some popular occupations such as Accountant or IT may require 100+ points. Subclass 190 has a lower threshold due to the 5-point state bonus, and 491 is even lower due to the 15-point regional bonus. PLI provides free GSM points calculation and strategic advice to increase your score.

Skills in Demand replaces the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) from 07/12/2024. The visa number remains the same (482) but the structure has changed: 3 new streams (Core Skills, Specialist Skills, Essential Skills). The new CSOL (Core Skills Occupation List) replaces the MLTSSL/STSOL – comprising approximately 456 occupations. The minimum Core Skills Income Threshold: AUD 79,499 per year (from 01/07/2026). The pathway to PR (subclass 186) is shortened from 3 years to 2 years. Specialist Skills does not require a Skills Assessment, with a salary threshold of AUD 146,717 per year.

Regional visas require living and working in regional Australia – including all cities and regions EXCEPT Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. There are 3 main advantages: (1) High bonus points (491 adds 15 GSM points, the highest); (2) Less competition compared to metropolitan visas; (3) A broader list of occupations (Regional Occupation List – ROL). Limitations: must live in a regional area for at least 3 years before applying for permanent PR (Subclass 191). Suitable for clients seeking lower living costs and a less crowded environment.

A Skills Assessment is a professional skills evaluation process by an Australian authority, confirming that the applicant's qualifications and experience meet Australian occupational standards. Each occupation has its own assessing authority – for example: ACS (Australian Computer Society) for IT, Engineers Australia for engineers, AHPRA for healthcare and nursing, VETASSESS for most other occupations, and TRA (Trades Recognition Australia) for skilled trades. The process takes 60–120 days depending on the authority. A Skills Assessment is mandatory for most skilled visas (except for the Specialist Skills stream of the 482).

Yes. Spouses (or de facto partners of 12 months or more) and dependent children under 23 can be included in the same application – all receive PR simultaneously. Spouses with skills and qualifications can contribute points to the primary applicant (up to 10 points in the Points Test). After settling, spouses are free to work, and children can attend Australian public schools for free.

PLI provides a comprehensive service: free GSM points assessment, optimal pathway advice, IELTS/PTE preparation guidance, Skills Assessment support through professional authorities, connection with Approved Sponsor employers (for employer-sponsored pathways), coordination with MARA-registered lawyers in Australia to prepare visa applications, assistance with Expression of Interest, support for State Nomination applications, and accompaniment until the day the visa is granted.

After 4 years of continuous residence in Australia, including 12 months as a PR holder immediately prior to applying for citizenship. The requirement is to be absent from Australia for no more than 12 months in total over the 4 years, and no more than 90 days in the final 12 months. You must pass the Australian Citizenship Test on Australian knowledge and values. Australia allows dual citizenship – there is no need to renounce your Vietnamese citizenship. The Australian passport is ranked in the top 10 globally, with visa-free access to over 185 countries.