Did you know that lift mechanics may be nominated for a skilled visa to Australia? There are a range of skilled visa options available to migrate to Australia as a lift mechanic, including options that grant immediate permanent residence, temporary visas as well as provisional visas which provide a pathway for a lift mechanic immigration to Australia PR visa.
In this article, we take a look at how lift mechanics are classified and defined in Australia for migration purposes and the lift mechanic Australia skilled migration options available, including permanent residency pathways. This includes state, employer and family sponsorship visas.
But before we discuss the skilled visa options that are available for lift mechanics in Australia, let us first introduce you to some of the key elements that must be considered when assessing your eligibility for lift mechanic Australia skilled migration.
Skilled Occupation List
A key component in determining your eligibility for a skilled visa to Australia is based on whether your occupation is included on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) for the relevant skilled visa being considered. It is important to be aware that each skilled visa subclass is subject to a specified SOL, which is designed to respond to skill shortages in various industries and regions across Australia. As labour markets change, so too do the relevant SOLs to reflect pertaining market conditions. It is therefore vital that you apply the correct and most up-to-date SOL in assessing your eligibility for a lift mechanic Australia skilled migration visa.
Targeted Approach
Certain skilled visa options go one step further by targeting skills shortages in certain geographical areas (including in regional Australia). Employers can also sponsor or nominate suitably skilled applicants to fill vacancies in individual businesses, thereby addressing an employer-specific need. An example of this is an employer sponsored Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa.
There are several lift mechanic Australia skilled migration options available for lift mechanics, with each one designed to meet a specific need in the Australian labour market. These comprise an independent, state sponsored, regional state, regional employer and regional family sponsored, employer sponsored and nominated skilled visa as well as a training and temporary graduate skilled visa.
A Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa is an example of a regional lift mechanic Australia skilled migration visa.
A regional employer-sponsored visa for lift mechanics is the Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) (SESR) visa.
And a permanent residence employer nominated option for lift mechanics is the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa.
Each skilled visa subclass is subject to a prescribed set of visa lodgement and grant requirements, a key part of which is the relevant SOL which prescribes the selected skilled occupations which may be nominated for that visa subclass.
Nominating A Lift Mechanic On The Skilled Occupation List
Different SOLs apply to each skilled visa subclass. For example, the Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa, which is a temporary employer sponsored visa, is subject to a Short‑term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL), a Medium and Long‑term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) and a Regional Occupation List (ROL). The skilled occupation list that applies to an occupation determines whether it may be nominated under the short-term or medium-term stream of the subclass 482 visa program. There is also a labour agreement stream which applies where the sponsoring employer has a labour agreement in place, and that agreement specifies the occupation/s that may be nominated for a TSS visa.
The occupation of lift mechanic is included on the MLTSSL, and so may be nominated by an employer for a TSS visa under the medium-term stream. It also currently provides a lift mechanic immigration to Australia PR visa pathway after two years via the Subclass 186 ENS visa (this is discussed further below).
Nominating A Lift Mechanic Under A Labour Agreement
A labour agreement is negotiated between the Australian Government (represented by the Department of Home Affairs) and employers who seek to sponsor overseas workers for their business.
Labour agreements enable approved businesses to sponsor skilled overseas workers when there is a demonstrated need that cannot be met in the Australian labour market and the standard temporary or permanent visa programs are not available (for example, the occupation which the employer is seeking to nominate is not included on the SOL for the TSS, SESR or ENS visa programs).
One of the main benefits of entering into a labour agreement is its flexibility as it enables an employer to negotiate terms that meet the needs of the business (different types of agreements allow for varying levels of flexibility). This means that an employer may be able to negotiate certain concessions to the skilled visa criteria that would normally apply under the standard employer sponsored visa grant requirements. This can include requirements relating to English language competency, salary and age thresholds. A labour agreement can also be used to employ overseas workers in new or emerging occupations that are not defined in the ANZSCO.
Under a labour agreement, an employer can sponsor or nominate suitably skilled overseas workers for an employer sponsored skilled visa in accordance with the terms which have been negotiated with the Department of Home Affairs (the Department) in the executed labour agreement (different types of agreements allow for varying levels of flexibility).
There are five types of Labour Agreements, as listed below:
- Company specific labour agreements
- Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMA)
- Project agreements
- Global Talent Employer Sponsored (GTES) agreements
- Industry labour agreements
To learn more about labour agreements, including the different types of labour agreements and how they operate, please refer to our Labour Agreement Visa.
Skills Assessment
To be deemed ‘suitably qualified’ for a nominated occupation under the skilled visa program, applicants are required to demonstrate that they possess a minimum level of skills, qualifications and/or employment experience as prescribed by the migration provisions for the relevant skilled visa class which is being applied for. This may include the requirement that an applicant obtains a positive skills assessment in their nominated occupation (to be completed by a specified skills assessing body). The skills assessment must be within the accepted validity date (which is normally either three years from the date of issue, or on a date earlier if specified in the skills assessment).
It must also be the correct type of skills assessment. Applicants must have a skills assessment that meets the requirements for the visa for which they are applying. For example, some assessing authorities offer a provisional skills assessment for recent graduates of Australian educational institutions who are applying for a Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa. A provisional skills assessment issued for this purpose is not a suitable skills assessment for a permanent residence skilled visa application, for example.
Skills Assessments For Lift Mechanics
The prescribed skills assessing body for lift mechanics is Trades Recognition Australia (TRA). We provide further information about the TRA requirements for lift mechanics in our discussion below.
English Language
English language criteria also apply, which may require applicants to complete a prescribed English language test and achieve a specified minimum test score (there are exemptions in certain cases). Be aware that English test results are valid for a limited period (depending on the class of visa being applied for and the level of English competency required).
What Are The Possible Lift Mechanic Australia Skilled Migration Visa Options?
Set out below are the main types of lift mechanic Australia skilled migration visa options available. We also provide links to further information on these skilled visa options at the conclusion of this article.
General Skilled Migration
The General Skilled Migration (GSM) visa program offers the following skilled visa options (all of which are points-based) for lift mechanics:
- Subclass 189 Skilled (Independent) visa;
- Subclass 190 Skilled (Nominated) visa (a permanent residence visa that requires State Sponsorship approval); and
- Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa.
The GSM program operates under an invitation-based system, whereby applicants must first lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) with the Department of Home Affairs (the Department). Only upon receipt of an invitation can applicants then proceed to apply for the visa itself. Periodically, we publish a summary of the results for invitations issued in the most recent invitation round. We refer you to the latest invitation round results.
Lift Mechanic Immigration To Australia PR Visa
The subclass 189 visa enables you to migrate to Australia as a lift mechanic as it grants you immediate permanent residence in Australia. It is a points-tested lift mechanic immigration to Australia PR visa, which means that you need to attain at least 65 points in the migration points test to be eligible.
The same applies to the subclass 190 visa; it too enables you to migrate to Australia as a lift mechanic, although you need to be nominated by a State or Territory Government to qualify. Note that you will be granted 5 additional points on account of the nomination.
Lift Mechanic Immigration To Australia PR Visa Pathway
As a lift mechanic, you may also be nominated by a State or Territory government agency, or be sponsored by an eligible relative, for a Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa. This visa is also a points-tested visa. This means that to apply (and qualify for) a subclass 491 visa, you will need to gain at least 65 points to be eligible. This visa option grants you an additional 15 points for the nomination/sponsorship.
After you have held a subclass 491 visa for three years, you may be eligible for permanent residency as a lift mechanic via a Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa, provided you meet specified requirements.
The term of the subclass 491 visa is five years. As a subclass 491 visa holder (including any accompanying visa dependents), you must live, work and study only in a designated regional area of Australia.
Subclass 491 visa holders have unrestricted rights to travel to and from Australia during the visa term and are also entitled to enrol in Medicare, Australia’s public health system.
Employer Sponsored Skilled Visa
A lift mechanic may also qualify for a Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa, which is an employer sponsored temporary visa that may be granted for up to four years. It consists of three visa streams, namely, a Short-term, Medium-term and Labour Agreement stream (the labour agreement stream includes nomination in regional areas of Australia under a Designated Area Migration Agreement).
Lift mechanics may currently be sponsored for a TSS visa under the medium-term stream, which provides a pathway to permanent residency after two years.
Employer Nominated Skilled Visa
If you are seeking an employer nominated permanent residence visa option and you are prepared to commit to remaining with your nominating employer for at least two years from visa grant may consider a Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa to migrate to Australia as a lift mechanic.
The subclass 186 employer nominated visa comprises of a Direct Entry, Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) and Labour Agreement stream. The TRT option provides a pathway to permanent residence for TSS subclass 482 visa holders (and for holders of its predecessor, the Temporary Work (Skilled) 457 visa under transitional arrangements) after two years. This pathway is also available under the labour agreement stream in certain cases. The Direct Entry stream is for eligible applicants who automatically qualify for permanent residence.
Employer Sponsored Regional Visa
The Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (SESR) (Provisional) visa is a provisional visa which provides a pathway to permanent residence with the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa after three years if you meet specified requirements at that time. The term of the subclass 494 visa is five years.
As a SESR visa holder, you are required to live and work in a designated regional area of Australia. You will also be able to travel to and from Australia on an unrestricted basis over the visa term. And you will be entitled to enrol in Medicare.
What Is The Definition Of A Lift Mechanic For A Skilled Visa?
For migration law purposes, each nominated occupation is defined based on the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO). The ANZSCO occupational classification system provides a general description of each occupation, skill level, registration and/or licensing requirements and the tasks and duties that may be required to be performed as part of each occupation. Each occupation is assigned a unique ANZSCO code, which is used to identify the occupations that are eligible for a skilled visa for Australia.
The following occupational category for lift mechanics contained in ANZSCO may be nominated for a lift mechanic Australia skilled migration visa (classified as a minor group):
- Electricians (minor group 341).
Each minor category is then broken down into unit groups of occupations. The next level below this are specific occupations, which are each identified using an ANZSCO code. Skilled visa eligibility is, in part, based on whether your occupation appears on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) for the skilled visa that you are seeking to apply for.
Minor Group 341 – Electricians
Let us now take a look at ANZSCO minor group 341 for Electricians.
ANZSCO General Description: Electricians design, assemble, install, test, commission, diagnose, maintain and repair electrical networks, systems, circuits, equipment, components, appliances and facilities for industrial, commercial and domestic purposes, and service and repair lifts, escalators and related equipment. Automotive Electricians are excluded from this minor group
ANZSCO Skill level: Most occupations in this minor group have a level of skill commensurate with an AQF Certificate III including at least two years of on-the-job training, or AQF Certificate IV (ANZSCO Skill Level 3).
At least three years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualifications listed above. In some instances, relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification.
Tasks include:
- examining blueprints, wiring diagrams and specifications to determine sequences and methods of operation
- measuring and laying out installation reference points
- selecting, cutting and connecting wire and cable to terminals and connectors
- using electrical and electronic test instruments to trace and diagnose faults
- repairing or replacing faulty wiring and defective parts
- positioning and installing electrical switchboards
- connecting electrical systems to power supply
- testing continuity of circuit
- installing, testing and adjusting electric and mechanical parts of lifts
The 341 minor group comprises the following unit group:
- 3411 Electricians.
Set out below is the specific lift mechanic occupation which may be nominated for a lift mechanic Australia skilled migration visa, and therefore to migrate to Australia as a lift mechanic.
Unit Group 3411 – Electricians
This unit group consists of the following lift mechanic occupation that may be nominated for a lift mechanic Australia skilled migration visa, with the following elements.
ANZSCO General Description: Electricians design, assemble, install, test, commission, diagnose, maintain and repair electrical networks, systems, circuits, equipment, components, appliances and facilities for industrial, commercial and domestic purposes, and service and repair lifts, escalators and related equipment. Automotive Electricians are excluded from this unit group.
ANZSCO Skill level: Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with an AQF Certificate III including at least two years of on-the-job training, or AQF Certificate IV (ANZSCO Skill Level 3).
At least three years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualifications listed above. In some instances, relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification.
Registration or licensing is required.
Tasks include:
- examining blueprints, wiring diagrams and specifications to determine sequences and methods of operation
- measuring and laying out installation reference points
- selecting, cutting and connecting wire and cable to terminals and connectors
- using electrical and electronic test instruments to trace and diagnose faults
- repairing and replacing faulty wiring and defective parts
- positioning and installing electrical switchboards
- connecting electrical systems to power supply
- testing continuity of circuit
- installing, testing and adjusting electric and mechanical parts of lifts
Skill assessing authority: TRA
Skilled Occupation List: Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)
Skilled Visa Options:
- Subclass 189 Skilled (Independent) visa
- Subclass 190 Skilled (Nominated) visa
- Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa
- Subclass 407 Training visa
- Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa (Medium Term Stream)
- Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa (Graduate Work Stream)*
- Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (provisional) visa (State or Territory nominated)
- Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (provisional) visa (Family sponsored)
- Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (provisional) visa (Employer sponsored stream)
* Potential applicants may also qualify under the Post-Study Work Stream, which does not apply a Skilled Occupation Lis
A description of the occupation of lift mechanic in the Electricians ANZSCO group is listed below.
| ANZSCO Occupation | ANZSCO code | ANZSCO Description |
| Lift Mechanic
Alternative Title: Lift Electrician |
341113 | Designs, installs, maintains, services and repairs electric and hydraulic passenger and freight lifts, escalators, moving walkways and other lift equipment. Registration or licensing is required. |
As you can see from the above discussion, there are several skilled visa options available to migrate to Australia as a lift mechanic.
This includes the subclass 189 visa, which is a lift mechanic immigration to Australia PR visa. It requires a minimum of 65 lift mechanic immigration to Australia PR points to qualify.
The subclass 190 is also a lift mechanic immigration to Australia PR visa. It too requires a minimum of 65 lift mechanic immigration to Australia PR visa points to qualify. It requires you to be sponsored by a State or Territory Government agency.
The subclass 491 is a provisional lift mechanic Australia skilled migration visa, which provides a permanent residency pathway for you to migrate to Australia as a lift mechanic. It is also points-tested, requiring you to attain at least 65 lift mechanic immigration to Australia PR visa points to qualify. It too is a lift mechanic Australia skilled migration sponsorship option which requires state or family sponsorship.
The subclass 494 visa is a provisional regional employer sponsored lift mechanic Australia skilled migration visa, which provides a pathway to permanent residency and which requires sponsorship by an employer.
Skill Assessments To Migrate To Australia As A Lift Mechanic
As noted in our introduction, the prescribed skills assessing body for lift mechanics is Trades Recognition Australia (TRA). It has a number of skills assessment programs, depending on your country of passport, where you studied and the type of visa that you are seeking to apply for. The TRA Pathfinder is a good starting point to determine which skills assessment program to select based on your individual circumstances. Detailed guidelines are also available for each TRA assessment program.
We outline below the criteria for some of the main TRA skills assessment programs.
Provisional Skills Assessment (PSA)
A PSA will verify your:
- identity; and
- Australian qualifications.
If your assessment is successful, the outcome letter can be used to apply for a subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa.
To apply for the Provisional Skills Assessment (PSA), you must have:
- a current and valid passport
- an Australian qualification directly relevant to the occupation you are applying for.
This qualification must be from a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS).
Before you apply, you should read the PSA Applicant Guidelines and check you can meet the requirements for submitting a decision-ready application.
A successful PSA outcome also means you meet the pre-requisite requirement to participate in the JRP, however, you must apply for the JRP within 3 years from the date of your PSA outcome.
Migration Skills Assessment
The Migration Skills Assessment (MSA) is for applicants who need a skills assessment as part of their skilled migration visa application to the Department of Home Affairs.
The MSA outcome recognises if you have the skills and experience needed at the required level to work in Australia in your nominated occupation.
You can only use a successful MSA outcome for your visa application to Home Affairs for migration purposes
To apply for MSA, you must:
- have a qualification directly related to your nominated occupation
- have the required amount of directly relevant employment in your occupation
- read the MSA Applicant Guidelines for employment requirements
- have your occupation listed on a skilled occupation list (with TRA listed as the relevant assessing authority).
Please refer to the TRA website for further information.
Get More Information
Skilled Visa Options For Selected Occupations
Please refer to our series of articles on the skilled visa options that are available for selected occupations below:
Visa Options For Professionals
Skilled Trade Visa Options In Australia
Australian Immigration And Visa Options For Doctors
Australian Immigration And Visa Options For Nurses
Australian Visa Options For Engineers
Migrate To Australia As A Plastics Moulder Machine Operator, Fabricator, Welder Or Technician
How To Migrate To Australia As A Pig Farmer Or A Senior Piggery Stockperson
Migrate To Australia As A Small Engine Mechanic
Migrate To Australia As A Sandblaster
Australian Visa Options For Farmers
Australian Visa Options For Teachers
Australian Visa Options For Veterinarians
Australian Visa Options For Motor Mechanics
Australian Visa Options For Software Engineers
Australian Visa Options For Welders
Employer Sponsored Regional Visa
For further information on the subclass 494 regional employer sponsored visa, please see the following articles:
Skilled Regional Visa Australia
Regional Sponsor Migration Scheme
Regional Sponsored Visa Requirements
Employer Sponsored Visa
To learn more about an employer sponsorship visa, please see the following articles:
Employer Nomination Migration Scheme
Employer Sponsor Visa Requirements
Changes To 457 Temporary Work Skilled Visa
Business Requirements For Accredited Sponsorship
Does 482 Visa Require Skills Assessment
Subclass 482 – A Guide to Temporary Skill Shortage
Permanent Residence Eligibility Extended For Certain Subclass 457 And 482 Visa Holders
How To Sponsor An Employee For A Work Visa Or Permanent Residency
Overview Of Australian Work Visas And Employer Sponsorship
Guide To Australian Sponsorship Visa Costs
Labour Market Testing Requirements
Skilled Visa
To learn more about applying for a skilled visa, please see the following articles:
Australian Skilled Migration Visa List
General Skilled Migration Visa Options
SAF Skilling Australians Fund Levy
General Skilled Migration Visa Points
Subclass 190 State Sponsorship Visa
Australian Skilled Occupations List
Australian Permanent Resident Visa Case Study
State Sponsorship Visas In Australia
South Australia State Sponsorship Opportunities
Skilled Regional Visa Australia
Regional Sponsor Migration Scheme
Regional Sponsored Visa Requirements
Visa Options For Professionals
Skilled Trade Visa Options In Australia
English Requirements For Skilled Visas
Australian Visa Options For IT Occupations
Australian Immigration And Visa Options For Doctors
Australian Immigration And Visa Options For Nurses
Australian Visa Options For Engineers
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Contact us to book a no-obligation consultation to find out more about applying for a lift mechanic Australia skilled migration visa, including lift mechanic immigration to Australia PR visa options that are available and to assess your eligibility to migrate to Australia as a lift mechanic.
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In conclusion, we note that the above discussion provides an overview of the Australian visa options for lift mechanics, including lift mechanic immigration to Australia PR visa options and lift mechanic Australia skilled migration sponsorship options. We have also covered the TRA skills assessment requirements to migrate to Australia as a lift mechanic, and have provided links to further information so that you can learn more about the lift mechanic Australia skilled migration visa options that are available and the TRA skills assessment criteria.
Australia’s migration laws are complex, and each case is different. We recommend that you seek professional advice if you are seeking to migrate to Australia as a lift mechanic, as being fully informed will give you the best chance of achieving a successful outcome on your case. A migration professional can help you to do this.
For up-to-date advice on the skilled visa options that are available for a lift mechanic to migrate to Australia, including lift mechanic Australia skilled migration sponsorship Australia, book your confidential consultation with a migration agent in Adelaide. PAX Migration Australia is a leading immigration advice service based in Adelaide.