Preparing your visa application requires careful documentation. This comprehensive guide covers every document you'll need for Australian skilled migration visas.
Essential Identity Documents
Passport and Travel Documents
- Current valid passport (minimum 6 months validity)
- All previous passports (especially if they contain visa grants or stamps)
- Certified color copies of bio-data pages
- National identity card (if applicable)
- Birth certificate - original or certified copy
Family Documents (if applicable)
- Marriage certificate or relationship evidence (for partners)
- Divorce decrees or separation certificates (if applicable)
- Death certificates (if widowed)
- Birth certificates for all dependent children
- Adoption papers (if applicable)
- Custody documents (if children from previous relationships)
Skills Assessment Documents
Educational Qualifications
- Original degree certificates
- Academic transcripts for all years of study
- Course completion letters
- Institutional accreditation proof
- English translations (if not in English)
- Credential evaluation (if degree from non-recognized institution)
Professional Registrations
- Professional licenses or certifications
- Membership certificates from professional bodies
- Continuing education certificates
- Awards and recognition letters
Employment Evidence
For Current Employment
- Current employment contract
- Recent payslips (last 6 months)
- Tax returns or income statements
- Reference letter on company letterhead including:
- Job title and employment dates
- Detailed duties and responsibilities
- Hours worked per week
- Salary information
- Supervisor's contact details
For Previous Employment
- Employment contracts
- Reference letters from each employer
- Payslips and tax documents
- Resignation letters
- Experience certificates
- Business cards (can help verify employment)
Self-Employment Evidence
- Business registration documents
- Tax returns for business
- Financial statements
- Client testimonials
- Contracts and invoices
- Professional indemnity insurance
English Language Proficiency
Accepted Tests (Valid for 3 years)
- IELTS Academic (minimum scores required)
- PTE Academic
- TOEFL iBT
- Cambridge English Advanced (CAE)
- OET (for health professionals)
Important: Original test result notice required (not photocopy)
Health Requirements
Medical Examinations
- Chest X-ray
- Medical examination by panel physician
- HIV test (some countries)
- Additional tests if required by panel physician
- Vaccination records (especially for healthcare workers)
Note: Arranged after invitation to apply through designated panel physicians
Character Requirements
Police Certificates Required From:
- Country of citizenship
- Current country of residence (if different)
- Any country lived in for 12+ months in last 10 years
- Countries with criminal convictions
Validity: Police certificates must be issued within 12 months of application
Additional Character Documents
- Military service records (if applicable)
- Court documents (if applicable)
- Statutory declarations (if unable to obtain police cert)
Financial Evidence
Proof of Funds (varies by visa subclass)
- Bank statements (last 3-6 months)
- Fixed deposit certificates
- Share certificates
- Property valuations
- Letter from financial institution
Amounts Required (approximate):
- Main applicant: AUD $5,000-$10,000
- Partner: Additional AUD $3,500
- Each child: Additional AUD $2,500
Additional Supporting Documents
For State Nomination (190/491)
- Commitment to live in state
- State-specific requirements documentation
- Job offer letter (if required by state)
- Evidence of connection to state (if applicable)
For Partner Points Claims
- Partner's skills assessment
- Partner's English test results
- Partner's employment evidence
- Relationship evidence
For Australian Study Claims
- Completion letter from Australian institution
- Academic transcripts
- Proof of CRICOS registration
- Evidence of 2+ years study
For Professional Year Claims
- Professional Year completion certificate
- Attendance records
- Internship completion evidence
Document Certification
Who Can Certify?
In Australia:
- Justice of the Peace
- Registered migration agent
- Notary public
- Australian Consular Officer
Outside Australia:
- Notary public
- Local embassy or consulate
- Authorized certifying officer
Certification Requirements
- Must be in color
- Each page certified separately
- Certifier must write "This is a true copy of the original"
- Certifier's signature, name, designation, and date
- Certifier's registration number/stamp
Translation Requirements
All Documents Not in English Must Be:
- Professionally translated
- Accompanied by translator's credentials
- Include translator's contact details
- Have translator's certification statement
Note: Google Translate or amateur translations NOT accepted
Digital Submission Guidelines
File Requirements
- PDF format preferred
- Clear, readable scans
- Color where applicable
- File size limits: typically 5MB per file
- Logical file naming (e.g., "Passport_Bio_Page_Smith_John.pdf")
Organization Tips
- Group related documents together
- Use descriptive filenames
- Create document checklist
- Keep backup copies
- Maintain folder structure
Common Document Mistakes to Avoid
- Expired Documents: Ensure all documents within validity
- Poor Quality Scans: Use high resolution (minimum 300dpi)
- Incomplete Translations: All text must be translated
- Uncertified Copies: Non-certified copies will be rejected
- Missing Pages: Ensure all transcript pages included
- Incorrect Names: Name variations must be explained
- Unsigned Letters: All reference letters must be signed
- Old Police Certificates: Must be within 12 months
- Wrong Test: Ensure IELTS Academic not General
- Missing Metadata: Include all employer contact details
Document Checklist by Visa Subclass
Subclass 189
ā Skills assessment ā English test results ā Passport copies ā Employment evidence ā Education documents ā Police certificates ā Health examinations
Subclass 190 (Additional)
ā State nomination approval ā State-specific documents ā Commitment letter
Subclass 491 (Additional)
ā Regional nomination/sponsorship ā Regional commitment evidence
After Lodgement
Keep Ready
- Updated employment evidence
- New payslips as you earn them
- Renewed documents before expiry
- Relationship evidence (ongoing)
Response Times
- Acknowledge document requests within 7 days
- Submit requested documents within 28 days
- Inform of any changes immediately
Cost of Document Preparation
Estimated Costs (AUD):
- Document certification: $50-$200
- Professional translations: $50-$100 per page
- Police certificates: $50-$250 each
- Courier/postage: $50-$150
- Skills assessment: $550-$1,800
- Total: $750-$2,500
Professional Help
When to Use Migration Agent
- Complex employment history
- Document gaps or issues
- Skills assessment challenges
- Previous visa refusals
- Unusual circumstances
Use our document checklist tool to ensure you have everything needed for your specific visa subclass.