On the first September, 2007, the general skilled migration visa program has been streamlined. International students should now consider the following Onshore Visa Subclasses:
Skilled - Independent (subclass 885) - this permanent visa replaces the Skilled Independent Overseas Student (subclass 880) visa
Skilled - Sponsored (subclass 886) - this permanent visa replaces the Skilled Australian Sponsored Overseas Student (subclass 881)visa.
Skilled - Graduate (subclass 485) visa - this 18 month temporary visa replaces the Graduate - Skilled (subclass 497) visa
Graduate visa holders have unrestricted work and study rights and can apply for a permanent General Skilled Migration or employer sponsored visa at any time.
• Skilled - Regional Sponsored (subclass 487) visa - this 3 year provisional visa replaces the Skilled - Independent Regional (subclass 495) visa and the Skilled - Designated Area
Sponsored (subclass 496) visa. Skilled - Regional Sponsored visa holders can apply for a permanent Skilled - Regional visa once they have lived for two years and worked full-time for one year in regional Australia.
Skilled - Regional (subclass 887) visa - this is a permanent visa for holders of Skilled - Regional Sponsored (subclass 487 and 475),Skilled - Independent Regional and Skilled - Designated Area-Sponsored visas and replaces the second stage Skilled – Designated Area Sponsored (subclass 883) visa and the State Territory Nominated Independent (subclass 137) visa.