Australia offers excellent quality of life, high salaries, and a points-based skilled migration system that welcomes qualified professionals from Nigeria. The General Skilled Migration (GSM) program provides pathways to permanent residency for workers in high-demand occupations. This comprehensive guide explains how Nigerians can navigate the Australian skilled migration system.
Australia's skilled migration program evaluates candidates based on factors like age, education, work experience, and English proficiency. Understanding the points system and meeting requirements is key to a successful application.
Skilled Migration Visa Types
Subclass 189 - Skilled Independent Visa
- Points-tested permanent residence visa
- No sponsorship required
- Live and work anywhere in Australia
- Occupation must be on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)
Subclass 190 - Skilled Nominated Visa
- Requires state/territory government nomination
- Adds 5 points to your score
- Must commit to living in nominating state for 2 years
- Occupation on state's nomination list
Subclass 491 - Skilled Work Regional (Provisional)
- State/territory or family sponsored
- Adds 15 points
- Live and work in regional Australia
- Leads to permanent residency after 3 years
The Points Test
You need at least 65 points to be eligible, but higher scores increase your chances. Points are awarded for:
- Age (max 30 points): 25-32 years = 30 points; decreases with age
- English (max 20 points): IELTS 8.0+ in all bands = 20 points
- Skilled employment (max 20 points): Australian or overseas experience in your nominated occupation
- Education (max 20 points): PhD = 20, Masters/Bachelor = 15
- Australian study (max 10 points): If applicable
- Specialist education (10 points): STEM Masters/PhD
- Credentialed community language (5 points): NAATI certification
- Partner skills (10 points): If partner also has skills assessment
- State nomination (5 or 15 points): Subclass 190 or 491
Step-by-Step Process
Step 1: Check Occupation Eligibility
Your occupation must be on the Skilled Occupation List. Common occupations for Nigerians include:
- Software engineers/developers
- Nurses and midwives
- Accountants
- Engineers (civil, mechanical, electrical)
- Teachers
- Medical practitioners
Step 2: Skills Assessment
Get your qualifications assessed by the relevant assessing authority:
- IT: Australian Computer Society (ACS)
- Accounting: CPA Australia, CAANZ, IPA
- Engineering: Engineers Australia
- Nursing: ANMAC
- Medical: Various medical boards
Step 3: English Language Test
Take IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, or OET. For maximum points, aim for:
- IELTS 8.0+ in all bands = 20 points
- IELTS 7.0 in all bands = 10 points
Step 4: Submit Expression of Interest (EOI)
Create an account in SkillSelect and submit your EOI with your points claim.
Step 5: Receive Invitation to Apply
If your points are high enough, you'll receive an invitation. Current rounds typically invite scores of 80+.
Step 6: Lodge Visa Application
Within 60 days of invitation:
- Pay visa fees
- Submit all documents
- Complete health examinations
- Provide police clearances
Required Documents
- Valid passport
- Skills assessment outcome
- English test results
- Educational qualifications
- Employment references and evidence
- Birth certificates
- Marriage certificate (if applicable)
- Police clearances from all countries lived in 12+ months
- Health examination results
Costs Involved
- Skills assessment: AUD $500-1,000 depending on authority
- English test: AUD $400-500
- Visa application fee (189): AUD $4,640 (primary applicant)
- Partner: Additional AUD $2,320
- Children: Additional AUD $1,160 each
- Health exam: Variable
- Police clearances: Variable
State Nomination Tips
To boost your chances with state nomination (190 or 491):
- Research each state's occupation list and requirements
- NSW and Victoria are competitive; consider other states
- South Australia, Tasmania, and Queensland often have more opportunities
- Some states require job offers or commitments to live there
- Apply to multiple states if eligible
Timeline Expectations
- Skills assessment: 2-4 months
- English test: 1-2 months (including prep)
- EOI and invitation: Variable (could be immediate to 12+ months)
- Visa processing: 6-12 months after lodgement
- Total: 12-24 months typically
Common Challenges for Nigerians
- Skills assessment: Some qualifications may not be fully recognized; RPL may be needed
- Points threshold: 65 minimum, but invitations go to 80-90+
- Work experience verification: Statutory declarations may be needed if employers can't provide references
- Costs: Significant upfront investment required
After Visa Grant
Once your visa is granted:
- Make your initial entry before the first entry date
- You have 5 years to travel freely
- Work and live anywhere in Australia (189) or nominated state (190)
- Access Medicare healthcare
- Eligible for citizenship after 4 years
Conclusion
Australian skilled migration offers Nigerians a pathway to permanent residency in a country with excellent quality of life. Success requires meeting points thresholds, obtaining positive skills assessments, and achieving strong English scores.
The process is competitive, but with the right qualifications and preparation, it's achievable. Focus on maximizing your points, consider state nomination pathways, and prepare for a 12-24 month journey to your Australian permanent residency.