Skilled-Independent Categories:

• Skilled Independent Regional applicants
  For those who meet the basic requirements and who wish to live and work in a regional or low population growth area in Australia. This pass mark is currently the lowest of all the skilled independent categories and applications under this category receive priority processing at the Adelaide Skilled Processing Centre
• Independent applicants
  for those who meet the basic requirements and do not have a family sponsor this category is the most popular Skilled migration category and is the easiest to come under
• Skill matching
  for those who may or may not meet the points test and are seeking to be nominated by an Australian State/Territory or employer
• State Territory Nominated Independent
  for skilled migrants who have been nominated by a participating State or Territory
• Independent 0verseas Student
  for foreign students currently studying or recently having completed a two-year or longer course of study in Australia (must be in Australia on a substantive visa to be able to apply)

• Australian sponsored
  for those skilled applicants who have close family members living in major cities in Australia (i.e. not in the Designated Areas)
• Designated Area sponsored
  for those skilled applicants who have close family members living in one of the Designated Areas in Australia
• Australian sponsored and Designated Area sponsored overseas student
  for foreign students who have family in Australia and have recently completed a programme of study in Australia