The skilled stream of Australia's Migration (non-humanitarian) Program is specifically designed to target migrants who have skills or outstanding abilities that will contribute to the Australian economy. For General Skilled migration to Australia, applicants or their spouses must be able to satisfy basic requirements. 

Independent categories
Independent Category - for those who do not have a sponsor, or who choose not to be sponsored. 
Skilled - Independent - you must be highly skilled and have education, skills and employability which will contribute to the Australian economy. You must satisfy the basic requirements and pass the points test.

Skilled - State/Territory Nominated Independent (STNI) - if you satisfy the basic requirements and pass the points test or meet the pool mark, you can also complete the skill matching part of your application form and the details will be placed in a skill matching database for possible nomination by a State or Territory government or employer.

Skilled - Onshore Independent New Zealand category - this is similar to the Skilled - Independent visa category but is only available to New Zealand citizens in Australia wishing to apply for permanent residence under this category. You must pass the points test as well as satisfy the basic requirements.

Skilled - Independent Overseas Students in Australia category - this is similar to the Skilled - Independent visa category but is only available to eligible overseas students in Australia wishing to apply for permanent residence under this category. You must pass the points test as well as satisfy the basic requirements. 

Skill Matching - this category is not points tested. Consider this category if you satisfy the basic requirements but are not certain or it is unlikely you will pass the points test. This does not include those who wish to apply for the New Zealand citizen and overseas student in Australia visa categories.

Family sponsored categories
Family Sponsored Categories - applications may have a greater chance of success if an applicant or their spouse has a relative in Australia who is willing to sponsor and provide financial support. 

Skilled - Designated Area Sponsored - under this category, the Australian Government is seeking skilled migrants to settle in certain designated regions of Australia. You must have a sponsor (you or your spouse must be related to the sponsor) and an assurer (a person living in Australia who agrees to provide financial support so you will not have to rely on Government forms of support). The sponsor and assurer can be the same person. You must satisfy the basic requirements, but this category is not points tested.

Skilled - Onshore Designated Area Sponsored New Zealand Citizen - this is similar to the Skilled - Designated Area Sponsored visa category but is only available to New Zealand citizens in Australia wishing to apply for permanent residence under this category.

Skilled - Designated Area Sponsored Overseas Student in Australia - this is similar to the Skilled - Designated Area Sponsored visa category but is only available to eligible overseas students in Australia wishing to apply for permanent residence under this category. Applicants must provide a satisfactory skills assessment in any listed skilled occupation from the Skilled Occupations List (SOL) or see part 6 of the General Skilled Migration Booklet. In addition, they must submit a satisfactory sponsorship form with their application.

Skilled - Australian Sponsored - for potential skilled migrants whose sponsors lives outside the certain designated areas covered by the Skilled - Regional Sponsored category. You must have a sponsor and an assurer who may or may not be the same person. You must satisfy the basic requirements and the points test (with 15 points for sponsorship).

Skilled - Onshore Australian Sponsored New Zealand Citizen - this is similar to the Skilled - Australian Sponsored visa category but is only available to New Zealand citizens in Australia wishing to apply for permanent residence under this category. You must pass the points test as well as satisfy the basic requirements.

Skilled - Onshore Australian Sponsored Overseas Student in Australia - this is similar to the Skilled - Australian Sponsored visa category but is only available to eligible overseas students in Australia wishing to apply for permanent residence under this category. You must pass the points test as well as satisfy the basic requirements and must nominate at least a 50 point occupation from the SOL and hold a satisfactory skills assessment.