Certain applicants are able to apply for General Skilled Migration visas if they are in Australia. This is a commonly used pathway by applicants who have studied in Australia at a tertiary level. The visa subclasses usually applied for include the:

• Skilled – Independent (Subclass 885),
• Skilled – Sponsored (Subclass 886) and
• Skilled - Regional Sponsored (Subclass 487) visa.

Applicants are required to have their skills assessed by a relevant assessing authority.

Prior to 1 January 2010 an application could be lodged with evidence that the applicant had applied for a skills assessment. There was no need to provide a suitable skills assessment until the visa application was decided.

From 1 January 2010, applicants applying for an onshore GSM visa will be required to have obtained a suitable skills assessment prior to lodging their visa application. Applications that do not include a suitable skills assessment will be invalid.