Australia’s skilled migration core mechanism is the **SkillSelect system**: applicants first submit an EOI (Expression of Interest); the system scores applicants according to the Points Test (maximum 100 points); applicants above the score cutoff are invited to apply for specific visas. Main skilled migration visas: **Subclass 189** (Skilled Independent): no employer or state sponsorship needed; for occupations on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL); approved applicants can live and work anywhere in Australia — the most “free” skilled migration pathway, but most competitive (current invitation scores typically 90+; effectively only a few IT/medical occupations can reach this).
**Subclass 190** (Skilled Nominated): requires nomination from an Australian state/territory government; +5 points above the 189 score; approved applicants must live and work in the nominating state for at least 2 years. State nomination conditions vary and update regularly: some states require a job offer or local qualifications; some accept direct EOI nomination. **Subclass 491** (Regional Sponsored): +15 points above 189 score, but requires living and working in a Regional area for at least 3 years; after 3 years can apply for permanent residency (subclass 191). The definition of “Regional” is broad (excludes Sydney and Melbourne city centers but includes many urban areas) — an important pathway for applicants with insufficient scores.
## Skills Assessment
Skills assessment is one of Australia’s skilled migration prerequisites: different occupations are assessed by different Assessing Authorities; Chinese applicants must submit qualifications and work experience to the corresponding institution for assessment against Australian standards. Common occupations and assessing bodies: IT occupations (ACS, Australian Computer Society); engineering occupations (Engineers Australia); medical occupations (AMC or corresponding specialist body); accounting (CPA Australia, CAANZ, IPA). Assessment periods typically run 4-12 weeks; advance planning is critical (overall migration timeline is significantly affected by skills assessment completion time).
See [Skilled Migration Overview](https://sunqi.org/skilled-migration-overview-en/) and [Australian Department of Home Affairs Website](https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/).
