For over 30 years, we have assisted UK workers emigrate to Australia for a better way of life.
Our experts provide tailored advice specific to your circumstances to help you and your family in emigrating with conifence.
We assist with everything from securing the right visa to finding your perfect job, and from opening a bank account to relocating your family pets.
Complete our form and our experts will assess your options. You will also receive our free e-guide.
Packed with over 70 pages of essential information you will need to know when emigrating from the UK to Australia.
The purpose of the points test mechanism is to help Australia select those skilled migrants who offer the best in terms of economic benefit to Australia. The system is designed wholly for the benefit of the Australian economy.
The key visa sub-classes under the points-based skilled migration category are available to independent (un-sponsored) applicants, applicants. These include the 189 visa, 190 and 489 visas. The 190 and 489 are nominated by a state or territory.
Section 93 of the Migration Act 1958 (Cth) provides the Minister with the power to prescribe points for a range of factors through regulations. Points are awarded for the following factors:
To be eligible, you must have a skill in demand and listed on a skilled occupation list.
To be eligible to apply for a visa, the current pass mark is sixty-five points.
Apart from passing the points test and nominating a skilled occupation from the MLTSSL, there are basic eligibility requirements that must be met to obtain one of the visas: you must be under forty-five years of age, have at least competent English, and meet the health and character requirements.
These visas can include your family members.
The EOI is just saying to the Australian Government you are interested in emigrating as a skilled migrant.
After an EOI has been submitted, Australian immigration authorities do not provide feedback on whether the application will be successful or rejected.
Unsuccessful cases will be held in the EOI pool for two years before being removed from the pool.
The majority of those who submit an EOI never receive an invitation to emigrate, and after 2 years their EOI is closed.
It is important a case is presented correctly from the beginning, as first impressions count.
After submitting an EOI, your case will be ranked against other intending applicants and you might be invited to apply for a permanent visa if you are deemed to the best candidate available.
If you are successful, Invitations are issued regularly through an automated system. If you are not successful, your application will be removed from the EOI pool after two years.
The DIBP do not provide feedback to applicants on the merits of their case nor do they provide immigration advice.Just like an employer, Australia only invites the best candidates to join them. Unlike most employers, Australia receives over 30,000 applications globally per day.
The skills assessment is used by the Australian Govt. to determine which applicants are of the highest calibre.
Securing your invitation could depend on the outcome of your assessment and needs to include those elements an Australian Immigration Official will want to see.
The skills assessment is an important part of any case, but not the only factor to consider when applying.
The most frequent issue we see is where people have miscalculated their points or trusted an online calculator and submitted an EOI believing they have fewer points than they do. In other cases, points need to be deducted as they were overestimated.
The Immigration Officer must be persuaded by the case and supporting documentary evidence to award points to an applicant.
Every case is unique, only after reviewing all the documents in a case can we evaluate its merits accurately, to do this correctly we rely on experts with over 20 years experience in Australian immigration law.
Points are awarded based on the evidence, not on what is initially entered into an online calculator. Unfortunately, there are no shortcuts or simple answers as this is a legal case in a foreign jurisdiction, designed to select only those candidates Australia wants to invite.
18 to 25 is a little young to secure maximum points for age, but by the time you reach 33 you are starting to lose points for being too old.
There is no better time to apply than right now – unless you are under 25 years old!
By the time you reach 45 years you are too old and would need to look at investor visa options or other visa classes to follow your dreams.
The English test is similar, as it requires a prescribed methodology which is not required in day-to-day use of language.
Some people re-sit their test twice or even 3 times.
In our experience, however, most people do eventually pass their English test.
The fact you decided to read this website in English is a strong indicator that you will be fine!
Even if that means a re-sit is required.
There is nothing more important to Australia than protecting the public purse.
Australia screen all potential migrants to ensure they do not have a medical condition that will exceed the personal budget set by social services for health care.
If you or a family member have a medical condition that would be an excessive burden to the Australian public purse, it could ruin your chances of emigrating.
Australia has received a great deal of criticism over its hard-line approach on this matter; however, there are no plans to amend the policy.
There are new powers to refuse those with previous convictions for domestic abuse and violence against women.
While other offences are also red flags to the Australian Immigration department.
If you have a criminal conviction it is important to address this in the correct way to mitigate the impact on your plans.
A minor criminal record, if managed correctly is not a barrier to emigrating.
Historical attempts at securing a visa can result in the refusal of future visas.
Australia can impose a ban on applying for another visa for a period of time, this can range from six months to life.
Never rush into filing a case unless you are confident of success.
Australian immigration law has teeth and rejection can have serious unforeseen consequences.
Our Skilled Workers guide is packed with useful information you will need to know when emigrating to Australia.
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The 189 Skilled Independent visa is Australia’s most sought-after skilled visa.
It grants permanent residence on arrival, with no employer sponsor, no state nomination, and full freedom to live anywhere in Australia.
From day one, you and your family can settle in any city or town, access Medicare, and enrol your children in public schooling at resident rates.
The five-year clock toward Australian citizenship starts the moment you arrive.
The 189 is the closest thing Australia has to an open invitation, and the bar is set to match.
The 189 is points-tested. To qualify, you need to:
65 points opens the door to an Expression of Interest. The competitive score is higher.
A recent invitation round issued 10,000 places.
Three factors separate the strongest candidates from the rest.
A strong command of English matters in Australia.
If you are bringing a partner. It helps if they are skilled too.
When two candidates tie on points, the earlier submission wins the invitation. Lodging your EOI the day you hit a competitive score can save months of waiting.
Read more about the 189 Visa stream here.
The 190 Skilled Nominated visa grants the same permanent residence as the 189, with a single, simple feature that sets it apart.
You agree to live in the state or territory that nominated you, typically for two years. The commitment is moral, not legally enforced.
In return, you receive 5 bonus points on the points test.
Those 5 points often decide whether you’re invited in the next round or wait another year in the Expression of Interest pool.
For many UK applicants, that’s a trade worth making without hesitation.
The Department of Home Affairs released the state-nomination allocations.
Combined 190 and 491 nominations by state:
Processing times are broadly comparable at nine to ten months for permanent skilled visas.
The 190 is a two-stage process.
Stage one. You submit an Expression of Interest in SkillSelect, tagged for one or more states.
Stage two. Each state runs its own selection rounds, scoring candidates against its priority occupations and local labour market needs.
Strong cases typically include evidence of a genuine commitment to the state:
Once a state nominates you, the Department of Home Affairs issues the invitation. You then have 60 days to lodge your application.
Follow the link to read more about the 190 Visa Stream here.
The Skilled Work Regional visa is a five-year provisional visa designed to welcome skilled migrants into regional Australia.
Live and work in a designated regional area for three years, earn at least AUD 53,900 in two of those years, and you become eligible for permanent residency.
It’s the most accessible skilled worker pathway.
The 491 is the right answer for skilled applicants who want a permanent outcome and are happy to settle outside the three biggest cities.
For UK families considering Adelaide, the Gold Coast, Perth, or Hobart, it’s frequently the fastest and most predictable route to permanent residence Australia currently offers.
Read more about the 494 visa stream here.
It’s a temporary employer-sponsored visa of up to four years, designed to let Australian employers fill genuine skill shortages with overseas talent.
The headline benefit: the SID now opens a pathway to permanent residence after just two years of qualifying employment.
That’s down from the three years required under the old framework, a material acceleration for any UK applicant planning a permanent outcome.
The SID is the right answer if you have a job offer from an approved Australian sponsor and your occupation sits on the CSOL or above the Specialist Skills threshold.
The SID is the fastest route into Australia available today.
Read more about the SID Visa streams here.
The Employer Nomination Scheme is the destination most Skills in Demand holders are working toward.
You will receive permanent residence on grant, sponsored by an Australian employer, with no points test and no regional restriction.
From day one, you and your family can:
The 186 mirrors the 189 in every practical respect, except that an employer sponsors you rather than a points test.
Strong 186 cases are built with the employer well before lodgement. Sterling works directly with sponsoring employers to assemble the case end-to-end.
Read more about the 186 visa stream here.
The Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa is the regional counterpart to the Skills in Demand visa.
It’s a five-year provisional visa tied to a regional employer, with a clear pathway to permanent residence via the Subclass 191 visa after three years of qualifying regional employment.
The 494 replaced the older Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme and remains the primary regional employer-sponsored pathway.
It sits between the temporary SID and the permanent 186 in terms of commitment, offering the most certain route into regional Australia.
The 494’s designated regional area is generous: everywhere in Australia except Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.
That includes major cities such as:
All of these would count as major capital cities anywhere else in the world.
The Visa Application Charge is AUD 4,910 for the primary applicant, matching the GSM visas, with the same partner and child add-ons.
The 494 nomination requires endorsement from a Regional Certifying Body.
That’s a state government department or regional development authority that certifies the position is genuinely needed in the local labour market and the salary genuinely reflects the local going rate.
The RCB step typically adds two to six weeks to the front of the nomination process. For legitimate positions with proper documentation, it’s a straightforward stage.
Sterling handles the RCB liaison directly on behalf of both the sponsoring employer and the visa applicant.
The 494 leads to the permanent Subclass 191 visa after three years.
To qualify for the 191, you need to:
The 191 grants unrestricted permanent residence. Your regional commitment ends on grant, and you can move anywhere in Australia thereafter.
The 494 is particularly common in rural healthcare, agriculture, mining, education, and skilled trades, sectors where regional Australia welcomes overseas expertise.
Read more about the 494 Visa stream here.
A Designated Area Migration Agreement isn’t a visa subclass in itself.
It’s a framework that sits on top of the SID (482), the 494, and the ENS (186), unlocking concessions for specific regional areas that the standard visas alone cannot provide.
They give endorsed employers in those regions access to occupations, age limits, English thresholds, and salary thresholds that the federal lists don’t normally permit.
There are currently 13 active DAMAs across Australia.
Northern Territory. The broadest agreement, covering the entire territory under a single framework managed by MigrationNT.
South Australia. Two parallel agreements: the Adelaide City Technology and Innovation Advancement Agreement for the CBD’s deep-tech sector, and the South Australian Regional Workforce Agreement covering the rest of the state.
Western Australia. Five agreements covering Goldfields, Kimberley, Pilbara, South West, and a state-wide WA DAMA.
Other active DAMAs. Far North Queensland (Cairns), the Orana region in central NSW, the Goulburn Valley in Victoria, and East Kimberley.
Each DAMA negotiates its own concessions with the Commonwealth. Common ones change the calculation dramatically:
For many applicants, DAMA concessions open doors the standard visas keep closed.
Most DAMAs offer a structured route to permanent residence via the 186 visa’s Labour Agreement stream.
The Northern Territory and South Australia allow that transition after just two years of qualifying DAMA employment, faster than the standard SID-to-186 pathway. Other regions require three years.
The endpoint is the same: unrestricted permanent residence, identical in rights to a 186 granted under Direct Entry. That means:
Individuals apply through endorsed employers, not directly. You need a job offer from an employer who has been endorsed by the relevant Designated Area Representative for that region.
DAMAs are the right answer for skilled workers in any of these situations:
For these applicants, a DAMA is often the most direct pathway to permanent residence in Australia. Sterling identifies the right region’s agreement for your occupation and circumstances, then works alongside the sponsoring employer through endorsement and nomination.
YES absolutely. Plenty of work will be available. Alternatively, you can even start your own business.
Each year, Australia limits the number of skilled visas it approves. This ensures it invites only those with skills that are in short supply and in high demand.
This policy ensures plenty of highly paid work in your profession will be available and that you will not become a burden on the public purse.
As a skilled migrant, you are afforded the same workers’ rights as an Australian Citizen.
Each skilled migrant must have their skills assessed and accredited to the Australian equivalent standard.
British skilled workers are highly regarded, as the UK and Australia share similar high standards.
Your skills assessment result will determine which visas suit you best.
We build the strongest possible case to ensure the best emigration opportunities are open to you and your family.
Another fantastic advantage for British and Irish citizens is that they don’t need to sit an English Test.
However, those who want to can sit an English test for additional points. Those extra points earned could open up additional emigration pathways.
In our experience, it never hurts to have as many points as possible.
Within the Immigration Department, Immigration Officers require each Skilled visa application to be “visa ready” prior to submission.
All candidates enter the Expression of Interest pool. This is where the Australian and state governments select the candidates they want to invite to emigrate.
It is exactly the same as applying for a job. However, this time, Australia selects which skilled workers it will allow to emigrate.
Fees depend on the accreditation pathway best suited to your case. This will be determined by the information you are able to provide.
Skills accreditation costs vary by assessing authority. Sometimes a practical assessment is required.
Estimated time frame: 6-9 months
AUD 6,135 for you
AUD 3,070 for your partner
AUD 1,540 per child under 18 yrs.
Estimated time frame: 9-12 months
Police certificates: fees vary by country
Medical examinations: fees vary by country and clinic
Please note: All 3rd-party fees are outside our control and subject to change.
The Australian Government has already reduced net overseas migration by more than 40% from its recent peak and continues to review skilled settings.
We recommend that our clients submit their case and secure an invitation to emigrate before settings tighten further.
Once you hold an invitation to emigrate, your case will not be affected by any future changes.
Discuss your eligibility and explore your options with a dedicated migration specialist.
A plumber with over eight years of trade experience came to us wanting to emigrate. On paper, he was a strong candidate, potentially eligible for both the Skilled Independent and the Skilled Nominated streams. In practice, his case was almost impossible.
Several years of his employment record were undocumented. One of his former employers had quietly gone out of business and could not be reached at all. Without verifiable evidence of his experience, the Department of Home Affairs would not grant him the points for his work experience, and without those points, he simply would not qualify.
We rebuilt his work history. Statutory declarations from former colleagues, contemporaneous correspondence, payslip archives, jobsite records, equipment-hire receipts, each piece of evidence assembled, dated and corroborated until the file told the story of his career.
He received an invitation to emigrate in the first round a few weeks after our submission, not the two years his case may otherwise have sat in the queue before being automatically rejected. He is now living his dream life in Australia.
Whether you have questions or need guidance on your Australian immigration path, our specialists are ready to listen and advise. Contact us today.
