Australian Study Requirement and offshore GSM visa applicants

From 1 January 2010, applicants nominating a trade occupation under one of the offshore GSM visa subclasses are no longer able to meet the Australian Study Requirement when seeking to migrate to Australia. This change impacts on the following visa subclasses:

• Skilled – Independent (Migrant) Visa (Subclass 175)
• Skilled – Sponsored (Migrant) Visa (Subclass 176)
• Skilled – Regional Sponsored (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 475)

Applicants applying for one of the above visa subclasses and who are nominating a trade occupation can only seek to satisfy the work experience criterion. This criterion requires the applicant to have at least 12 months of work experience in a skilled occupation in the 24 months immediately prior to applying.

However, the option for offshore applicants to apply based on meeting the Australian Study Requirement remains open to all other occupations contained on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL).