Please start from Part 1
You will begin to ask yourself, what do I do after knowing how the points are calculated. The first step is to know whether your skill/occupation is among the skills/occupation required or needed for migration. There are two (2) types of list which I will explain below.
[b] With effect from 19 April, 2017, the SOL/CSOL lists have been replaced with Medium and Long Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) and Short Term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL). Continue reading for links and details.
Where your occupation is in any of the two lists will determine what subclass you can apply for. If you see your occupation in MLTSSL list, you can apply for subclass 189, if it is on STSOL list, you can apply for either 190 or 489 which are states/regional areas sponsored visa. However, you can find your occupation in both list, it means you can apply for any of the three if you don't meet up to 60 points on your own, you will need either 5 or 10 points from State or Regional area as the case may be.
1. If you are applying for Visa subclass(es) 189, 489 (Family Nominated) or 485 (Graduate work stream), you must nominate an occupation on the Medium and Long Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).
2. Although there is no separate list for Short-Term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) and Medium and Long Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) however there is a combined list of eligible occupations for those seeking to apply for Visa subclass(es) 190 and 489 (State or Territory nominated). These two are our business on the list. Below is the link to the list
[b]
On the list, in front of each occupation is ANZSCO code and Assessing authority. The code is the occupation code for easy reference and the assessing authority is the body responsible for assessing your claimed skill/occupation and qualification.
Once you find your occupation on any of the list and in the case of STSOL, there is a state sponsoring it, go to the assessing authority website to know requirements needed for your assessment. Each assessing authority has different requirements, so it is not a one size fits all. All the assessing authority can be reached by clicking them on any of the list (it will direct you to their website). Below is the link to all the assessing authorities. http://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/Trav/Work/Work/Skills-assessment-and-assessing-authorities/assessing-authorities
Some assessing authorities require that you meet a minimum level in English language by writing IELTS/TOEFL/OET/PTE while some do not require English language score. Detailed information can be found on your assessing authority's website.
Because you need points from English language test, there is no rule as which is to do first, either write English or assess your skill. However, for those that their assessing authority requires English language test, you must write one first before submitting application for assessment. If your body doesn't need the test before assessment, you can write later or same time as assessment. Endeavour to score at least a proficient score as outlined above to get minimum of 10 points depending on your circumstances.
Once you get a positive response/assessment from your assessing authority, you are 80% done with the application. Next step is to fill in the Expression of Interest which can be found in the link here
http://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/Trav/Work/Skil
https://skillselect.gov.au/SKILLSELECT/ExpressionOfInterest/PreReg/Start
After filling the EOI, wait to be invited, once invited, apply for your visa... do medical test and police report, then wait for your visa approval, which unlike before is no longer slow to be approved.
If you are diligent and follow the process through, it should take you maximum of 9 months from scratch to visa approval going by the current trend...
If your occupation is found only on the STSOL (combined) list, it means you have no alternative than to apply for state sponsorship.
Difference between visa subclass 189, 190 and 489 is that in 189, you do not need any sponsorship to apply once you meet minimum of 60 points. You can live in any of the Australian states you want while 190 subclass requires that you have a moral obligation to live and work for at least 2 years in the state that sponsored you before moving to any other state. For visa 489, it is a pathway to getting permanent resident. in 489 subclass, you are not entitled to Medicare, which is the government's subsidised program for healthcare as medical care is very expensive and the visa does not accord you any government's support. It is just a work visa that provides you a pathway to applying for PR after living in regional area for at least 2 years. I must state that the process for 489 is same as 189 and 190 including the fee. Only that in 489, you can get 10 points if you can't make 60 or 55 points depending on your case and where your occupation is listed. Nevertheless if your occupation can only be sponsored under subclass 489, you should embrace it with open arms as it accord you the opportunity of working without restriction and you can apply for PR after two years. In essence, it is better than nothing or a student visa.
That being said, if your occupation is only on the combined list (STSOL), it means you can only apply for State/Regional sponsored visa (190 and 489). And not all the occupations on the STSOL list are sponsored by states. To know the states sponsoring your occupation, check the status in this website by typing your occupation or the code https://www.anzscosearch.com/search/
1. Check if your occupation is on MLTSSL/STSOL or nominate a closely related occupation that you can prove. Also check the quota percentage to know if you still stand a chance. You can search for occupations and assessment info on www.anzscosearch.com & DHA site.
2. Write English test (PTE, IELTS, Toefl) based on your preference and your skill assessment body requirement.
3. Check your assessment requirement from your assessing body and submit your application providing them with the necessary documents.
4. Calculate your points based on your situation.
5. Submit your EOI if you have up to 60 points and wait for invitation.
6. Lodge visa and make payment after invitation. Frontload medicals, PCC and form 80 may help fasten your processing.
NB
For some occupations like Doctors, Nurses,(Most medical and health related professions), Social workers, Lawyers and Psychologists, you will first need to be registered with the registration body of each profession before you can start Permanent resident visa processing. Some require that you write some exams before you are registered while some don't. Detailed information can be found on the body's website.