This is a permanent visa that requires applicants to have obtained State or Territory Nomination. Each State and Territory have their own requirements for nominating applicants based on skills shortages at a given time and number of applicants. These are subject to change. You can apply for this visa onshore or offshore. With this visa you can work, study and live anywhere in Australia and may be eligible to apply for Australian Citizenship. You can also sponsor eligible relatives for Permanent Residence including your spouse, de facto partner and/or dependant children.
To be eligible for this visa you must:

• be under the age of 45 at time of application
• have an occupation on the current Skilled Occupation List
• have a current Skills Assessment
• be nominated by a State or Territory (and this nomination must not have been withdrawn)
• be invited to apply for the visa
• score at least 65 points on the points test
• have competent english
• meet Health and Character requirements
• sign the Australian Values Statement
• have no debt to the Australian government
  This is a popular visa among Australia’s international graduates. Five extra points are granted to applicants with state or territory nomination. The nominating State or Territory will usually require that an applicant live in that nominating area for two years post visa grant.