If you have firmly established

• that your nominated occupation is on the current SOL and
• that you are likely to score at least 65 points on the Points Test, and
• that you are going to apply from within Australia,

it is likely that you will meet all the requirements for the subclass 885 Skilled Independent Visa (see below), except perhaps for the requirement that -

1. you must have a satisfactory IELTS score and
2. you must have a skills assessment.

IELTS Test

The former is not likely to present a problem, since you are applying from within Australia, though you may have to sit again for the IELTS Test if you took the test more than 2 years ago. If you do, you should register for the IELTS well before you start planning your visa application. The timing and the results of the IELTS test are entirely within your control.

Skills Assessment

The Skills Assessment, on the other hand, does create some uncertainty: it is usually the first stage of the visa aplication process and as such the outcome cannot be predicted. In the vast majority of cases, however, if you have scored 65 points on the Points Test and as long as your application follows the rules and the supporting documentation is perfect, it is unlikely that your skills assessment will be negative. In the unlikely event that this should happen, most Assessment Authorities allow an application to be submitted more than once.

Double-check your Eligibility

To be eligible for a Permanent Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 885)

• you must score at least 65 points in the Points Test
• you must be under 50 when you apply
• you must demonstrate that you have COMPETENT English (minimum score of 6.0 in each component of the IELTS)
• you must have a post-secondary qualification
• you must provide evidence that you have completed two (2) academic years of study, which is 92 weeks of registered study, at an Australian educational institution
• you must nominate a skilled occupation which fits your skills and qualifications
• your nominated occupation must be found on the current Skilled Occupations List
• your studies in Australia must be closely related to your nominated occupation
• before you apply, you must have your skills assessed by the Australian assessing authority designated to assess your nominated occupation
• you must be of reasonably good health and undergo a medical examination
• you must show that you are of good character (by providing (a) Police Clearance Certificate(s))
• you must sign an Australian Values Statement.This statement is included in your visa application form and all applicants aged 18 years and over will need to sign it to confirm that they will respect the Australian way of life and obey Australian laws. Before signing this statement you are required to have read, or had explained to you, material made available by the government on life in Australia which is contained in the Life in Australia book.