Move to Australia on Your Skills – No Employer Needed

What Is a GSM Visa for Australia?

Quick answer: GSM stands for General Skilled Migration – Australia’s points-tested skilled visa programme. GSM visas let skilled workers live in Australia based on their occupation, age, English, qualifications and work experience, without needing a job offer. The main GSM visas are the 189 (independent, permanent), the 190 (state nominated, permanent) and the 491 (regional, provisional, leading to the permanent 191). You need an eligible occupation, a positive skills assessment, Competent English, to be under 45 and at least 65 points.

GSM Visas at a Glance

Not a points-tested GSM visa, but closely related: the employer-sponsored 494 regional visa also leads to the 191. Recent graduates of Australian universities often use the Temporary Graduate visa (485) to build Australian experience before applying for GSM.

GSM Eligibility Requirements

• Occupation: on the skilled occupation list that applies to your chosen visa.
• Skills assessment: a positive assessment from the assessing authority for your occupation.
• Age: under 45 on the date of invitation.
• English: at least Competent English (for example IELTS 6 in each band). New minimum scores apply to tests taken from 7 August 2025. Fully online tests are not accepted for the 190.
• Points: at least 65 points. In practice, recent 189 and 190 rounds have often needed 85–105+ points for competitive occupations.
• Health and character: medicals and police certificates for you and your family.

The GSM Points Test

Every GSM visa uses the same points test. The main factors are:

Calculate your score with our Australia PR points calculator and read the full Australia PR points system guide. The government has announced a reformed points test from 1 July 2027 – until then, the current test applies.

Skilled Occupation List Australia

If you are moving to Australia from the UK, your occupation decides which GSM visas you can apply for:

• MLTSSL (Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List): eligible for the 189, 190 and 491.
• STSOL (Short-term Skilled Occupation List): eligible for the 190 and state-nominated 491.
• ROL (Regional Occupation List): eligible for the state-nominated 491 only.
• CSOL (Core Skills Occupation List): used for employer-sponsored visas such as the 482 and 186, not for points-tested GSM visas.

States and territories also publish their own nomination lists every programme year. Occupations often in demand include registered nurses, teachers, engineers, IT professionals, accountants and skilled trades such as electricians, plumbers and carpenters.

How to Apply for a GSM Visa

1. Skills assessment – apply to the assessing authority for your occupation.
2. English test – take IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, Cambridge or OET (unless exempt).
3. Expression of Interest – lodge an EOI in SkillSelect, choosing the 189, 190 and/or 491.
4. Invitation or nomination – wait for a 189 invitation round, or apply to a state for 190/491 nomination.
5. Visa application – lodge in ImmiAccount within 60 days of invitation.
6. Grant – complete health and police checks and receive your visa.

GSM Visa Processing Time (2026)

Source: Home Affairs processing-time data, September–October 2026.

These figures cover the visa stage only. Before that, the time to receive an invitation or state nomination depends on your occupation, points and the state. Since 19 September 2026, skilled visas are processed in the order set by Ministerial Direction No. 122, which prioritises priority sectors and applicants in Australia.

GSM Visa Costs (2026–27)

States may charge nomination fees, and you should budget for skills assessments, English tests, medicals and police certificates. Charges are indexed every 1 July.

What Is Changing in Australian Skilled Migration?

• New processing priorities: Ministerial Direction No. 122 took effect on 19 September 2026.
• Points test reform: a new points test has been announced from 1 July 2027.
• English tests: new minimum scores for tests taken from 7 August 2025; earlier results remain usable until 6 August 2028.
• Higher fees: visa charges rose from 1 July 2026.
• Programme size: the 2026–27 Migration Program is set at 185,000 permanent places.

Types of Australian Visas for British Citizens

British citizens have several routes to Australia, depending on age, skills and family:

• Skilled (GSM): the 189, 190 and 491 for skilled workers under 45.
• Employer sponsored: the 494 regional visa or the 482 Skills in Demand visa.
• Working holiday: the 417 visa for those aged 18 to 35.
• Family: partner visas and parent visas.
• Visiting: the eVisitor visa (651) for short trips.

UK passport holders are usually exempt from the English test for Competent English (though higher scores earn extra points), and need an ACRO police certificate. Australia has no retirement visa for new applicants, so people over 45 usually need a family or employer pathway rather than GSM.

How GIEC Global’s Skilled Visa Consultants Help

GSM success depends on the right occupation, the right skills assessment and the right state. As an Australia immigration consultant supporting clients in the UK and worldwide, GIEC Global’s immigration consultants:

• check your occupation against the MLTSSL, STSOL, ROL and state lists;
• guide your skills assessment and English test strategy to maximise points;
• lodge and optimise your EOI in SkillSelect;
• identify states most likely to nominate you for the 190 or 491; and
• prepare a decision-ready visa application for you and your family.

Explore more on our Migrate to Australia page, learn about Australian permanent residency, or read our Australia immigration FAQs.

Reviewed by the GIEC Global Australia immigration team. Fees reflect 2026–27 visa charges; processing times reflect Home Affairs data from September–October 2026; processing priorities reflect Ministerial Direction No. 122. Last reviewed 30 October 2026. Visa rules, occupation lists and the points test change regularly – always confirm details on official government websites before applying.