Australia has become a dream destination for many skilled professionals from Bangladesh. With its high standard of living, strong economy, and transparent immigration system, it attracts engineers, IT professionals, healthcare workers, and other skilled individuals seeking better opportunities. But how does skilled migration actually work, and what steps should Bangladeshi applicants take to maximize their chances? Let’s break it down.
Skilled migration is largely based on points. Australia’s Department of Home Affairs evaluates applicants on age, education, work experience, English ability, and other factors. Unlike family or student visas, skilled migration rewards applicants who can contribute to the Australian workforce immediately.
Step 1: Skills Assessment
The first critical step is the skills assessment. This process verifies that your qualifications and work experience meet Australian standards. For example, engineers may need assessment from Engineers Australia, IT professionals from ACS, and healthcare workers from AHPRA. Bangladeshi applicants must prepare documents carefully, including degree certificates, transcripts, work experience letters, and sometimes references directly from employers. A positive skills assessment is mandatory before submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI).
Step 2: Expression of Interest (EOI)
Once your skills are assessed, you submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through Australia’s SkillSelect system. This is not a visa application itself, but a way of showing your interest in migrating. In the EOI, you provide details like your age, qualifications, work experience, and language scores. Based on this, points are calculated. Bangladeshis should aim for a competitive score by improving English results or gaining additional qualifications.
Step 3: State Nomination (if applicable)
Some skilled visas, like the 190 (state-nominated) and 491 (regional) visas, require state or territory nomination. Each state has its own priority occupations list and may invite candidates based on local labor shortages. For example, a healthcare worker or IT professional from Bangladesh may get priority in states like New South Wales or Victoria if the occupation is in demand. State nomination adds points to your profile and significantly increases your chances of receiving an invitation.
Step 4: Invitation to Apply
After submitting your EOI, if your points score is competitive and your occupation is in demand, you may receive an invitation to apply for a visa. This is the official call to submit your full visa application with all documents, including English test results, skills assessment, health checks, and police clearance certificates.
Step 5: Visa Application and Decision
Once the application is submitted, the Department of Home Affairs reviews it carefully. For Bangladeshi applicants, attention to detail is crucial. Even small mistakes in work experience letters or missing translations can delay processing. If everything is in order, the visa is granted, allowing you to live and work in Australia permanently (for 189 and 190 visas) or temporarily (for 491).
Skilled migration to Australia is not just about filling forms. It is a strategic journey: assess your skills, plan your points, target states where your occupation is needed, and prepare your documents meticulously. For Bangladeshis, early preparation and understanding each step makes the process smoother and increases the chance of success. With patience and careful planning, Australia can move from a distant dream to a new reality.
