General Skilled Migration (GSM) visas are one of the best opportunities for skilled workers and their families to permanently live and work in Australia, for these visas often do NOT require a job offer from an Australian employer. Instead, the Australian Government created a point system based mostly on the applicant's qualifications (must have at least a trade diploma or Bachelor's Degree), work experience (must be employed for at least 12 out of the last 24 months in the nominated occupation) and English language ability (must score at least 6.0 on the IELTS English exam). Additionally, applicants must nominate an occupation that is currently in demand in Australia, and they must be 49 years old or younger. Applicants are then awarded points based on the exact details of the criteria just mentioned, and if they meet or exceed the pass mark, then they can potentially qualify for the General Skilled Migration Visa.

One of the main reasons for the creation of the GSM program was to provide Australia with additional workers in order to fill its labor shortages, and this is why the GSM visa is available only to those whose occupations are currently in demand in Australia. Once it is determined that an occupation is in demand, then applicants must complete a fairly rigorous process where their skills are carefully assessed and all requirements of the GSM visa must be met. This process is fairly complex in that one must first submit significant amounts of evidence in order to demonstrate his or her skills, and, if approved, one or potentially two more applications must then be submitted to the appropriate departments of Australian Government. Compounding the complexity of this process is that the Australian Government changes the rules to the GSM program very frequently. Therefore, careful analysis of each year's GSM program is crucial to a successful application.

It is only after the applicant's skills are officially assessed and the additional applications are submitted and approved that the applicant may receive the GSM Visa. However, once received, the applicant (and potentially their spouse and children), potentially has the right to permanently live and work in Australia, with a potential path to Australian citizenship in the future.