Read our latest Australian Immigration updates in July 2022 here >

State nomination Update 2022-2023 >>

Are you planning to study or work in Australia for its Permanent Residency?

Are you curently in Australia and seeking Australian PR pathway with your skill?

Today’s topic is talking about the best state for skilled visa and employer sponsorship program.

Our opinion about the best state for each stream will be illustrated in the conclusion.

We have recently discussed the comparison of each state regarding its study life in Australia by the “where should I study” series.

Today we are going to look at the comparison of each state sponsorship program (Visa 491, Visa 190), and the employer-sponsored visa options (Visa 482, Visa 186...) for those who are working in Australia.

Skilled Migration Program and Employer Sponsorship Visa in New South Wales (NSW)

NSW is the most popular state in skilled migration programs and employer sponsorship, making it highly competitive.

Speaking of skilled visas 491 and 190, you do not need to be working in your nominated occupation to be eligible for the 190 visas or 491 visas.

You only need to reside there for 3 months and seek a nomination for the skilled nominated visa 190.

However, NSW does not offer a full range of skilled occupations list similar to SOL of the Department of Home Affair and please be aware that the list can be changed from time to time.

While requirements are relatively straightforward , NSW is still very competitive and only chooses applicants with the highest points test score due to a significant number of applications per year.

This is appropriate because the number of international students and workers in NSW are much higher than its allocations number each program year.

The excellent candidates will be selected. If you think you might be eligible for NSW State Nomination Visa 190, 491, please book an appointment with our experts.

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If you choose to study in NSW for a skilled visa, you should consider going to regional areas of NSW like Newcastle or Wollongong for a chance to obtain a visa 491.

It may be very difficult for fresh graduates in NSW to compete with other applicants to achieve high points.

Nevertheless, Sydney has many global organizations to offer opportunities for employer sponsorship in management related and also high-level ICT Related occupation.

Accoutants, the most popular occupation which has been on its downside recently seems to be more interested in getting PR through Visa 482.

Accoutant is listed on Medium and Long Term Skilled Occupation list, which gives the applicants more Permanent Residency pathways.

Read our Top 5 ways to get permanent residency in Australia>

This employer sponsorship program can give international students and workers opportunities for permanent residency pathways for certain occupations and streams

Especially for applicants who have been in Australia during the pandemic (more than 12 months from February 2020 to December 2021 in Australia), you might be eligible for a 482 Short Term to Permanent Residency.

State Nomination Visa 491/190 and Employer Sponsored Visa 482,186 in Victoria

Victoria offers a VERY LIMITED skilled occupation list and benefits to its students who study there and seek state nomination from Victoria.

You may be disappointed if you did not choose the right major for your study in Victoria.

However, there is no clear guideline in the Victoria state sponsorship program.

Except for the requirement that you work in its target sectors, your occupation must use STEMM skills.

There are around 227,000 international students in Victoria, with only 4000 places in state nomination each financial year. (Statistics from November 2020)

It means you only have around a 2% chance to get a skilled visa 491 or 190 in Victoria.

It is worth mentioning that Victoria is famous for its employer sponsorship program.

There are a lot of big companies in Melbourne that may offer employer sponsorship opportunities similar to Sydney.

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To study in Victoria, you should select a major in their target sectors or an occupation which is listed in Medium and Long term skilled occupation list for higher chances of getting Permanent Residency in Australia

Otherwise, you will end up going regional area to seek the nomination.

Skilled Visa 491/190 and Employer Sponsored Visa 482,186 in Queensland

Queensland is focusing on nominating those working in the state.

To be eligible for a skilled nomination in QLD, you must be working full-time in your nominated occupation for at least three months after completing a minimum of 2 years of study.

If you study Ph.D. in QLD, you may be nominated for permanent residency 190 visas from Queensland.

You may be disappointed if you are a skilled migrant here because of its water-dropping invitations during the year with just over 2,000 allocations.

However, QLD is the first state to introduce its Small Business Owner stream, and this program has a lot of benefits to international students who have completed their studies.

And QLD has a lot of job opportunities you can look for regarding employer sponsorship programs visa 482 to have a pathway to Permanent residency subclass 186.

Moreover, Queensland has just opened DAMA Stream in Townsville region

You need to consider these streams if you choose to study in Queensland.

Skilled Visa 491/190 and Employer Sponsored Visa 482,186 Western Australia

Western Australia’s nomination requirements are simple, but their skilled occupation list is limited.

To be eligible for WA Nomination, you need a job offer in the Schedule 2 list

Or have 12 months of Australian work experience in the nominated occupation in the Schedule 1 list.

They have a graduate pathway for those who study for at least 2 years in WA.

However, their migration program can be challenging, with its occupation list changing from time to time without notice.

The employer sponsorship program is suitable for those who are working in the mining industry.

Choosing WA as a destination for study and permanent residency is not a good choice unless you are talented

Skilled Visa 491/190 and Employer Sponsored Visa 482,186 ACT

The Australian capital Territory gives you access to nomination via Canberra Matrix only.

Please be aware that this matrix is different from the EOI points test from the Department of Home Affairs.

There is no specific graduate pathway in the ACT. However, you can get higher matrix points with more years to study there.

ACT also has its own critical occupation list with points score level of chance to be selected

Importantly, this critical list has been changing continuously during the last financial year

ACT just opened their small business owner stream last year, 2021; this stream will give applicants more matrix points and a chance to be selected for nomination.

ACT has most jobs in government which usually requires a permanent residence status. So, we don’t recommend ACT as a place for employer-sponsor

Choose to study in the ACT if you are familiar with the matrix process and enjoy the top study quality.

Skilled Visa 491/190 and Employer Sponsored Visa 482,186 NT

The Northern Territory is famous for its generous skilled migration program in supporting its own graduates

There are graduate and working streams in NT with its full range of occupations and simple requirement without work experience. All you need to do is to prove your long term commitment to NT for a PR nomination

The Graduate stream gives more benefits if

• applicants can prove long-term commitment to the state
• and have another 6-month stay after graduation with NT under a Temporary graduate visa.

In our experience, NT will be happy to send out invitations for those applicants.

NT has NT DAMA, which utilizes the labor agreement stream of TSS 482 visas.

With the willingness to nominate graduates – the NT is a good all-round option.

If you choose to study in NT for PR, choose some courses that instantly help you get skill assessment without working requirements and those courses must be be able to get you a Tmporary Graduate 485 Visa.

State Nomination Visa 491/190 and Employer Sponsored Visa 482,186 Tasmania

Tasmania is one of the friendliest states for skilled nominated visas with its clear guidelines and transitional arrangements if rules are changed

If you started studying in Tasmania now, you might have to be working in Tasmania to be eligible for nomination.

Current requirements are 3 months and 6 months for 491 and 190 respectively, with occupations in Tasmania’s list.

Tasmania currently announced a new stream of small business owners, which is the most straightforward requirement among all states.

Tasmania has a very high level of allocations compared to its low population of international students

It has 3300 allocations in visa 491 and visa 190 and only 12,500 international students in the states

However, you need to consider the population and market before studying or opening a business in tasmania for the small business owner stream visa 491 and visa 190.

if you are interested in Tasmania state nomination, call us now for the best advice.

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However, with its low population and stable economic activity in the state, Tasmania seems to be not an attractive destination for whom seek employer sponsorship program 

State Nomination Visa 491/190 and Employer Sponsored Visa 482,186 South Australia

South Australia has one of the most comprehensive state sponsorship visa program and moderate Employer Sponsorship opportunities where skilled migrants can consider towards.

They offer the full range of skilled occupations, but the requirements may vary in each occupation

Comparing the number of South Australia’s international students and its allocations, they have significantly more chances than others who study in metro areas like Brisbane (QLD), Melbourne (Victoria) or Sydney (NSW).

State Nomination South Australia Visa 491, visa 190

South Australia has a lot of different streams and separate regional postcodes in South Australia where more concessions of Permanent Residency pathway are allocated in the state.

Generally, you need to be working in your nominated occupation from 3 to 18 months for 190 and 491 visas

Or working in ANY OCCUPATION in regional postcodes of South Australia to get 491 visas

There is also a high GPA stream with a chance to be nominated 190 visas in SA

Under the talent and innovator program, SA has announced a startup and small business stream, which has actively invited applicants 190 visas.

Employer sponsorship program in South Australia

SA is a good place to come with its employer sponsorship, for some occupations like motor mechanic, chef or cook in outer regional so that applicants can prepare themselves a backup plan to skilled migration program.

South Australia, same as NT, is actively enhancing its DAMA streams. It means simple requirement with more occupations in the list for Australian PR.

Study in South Australia to enjoy its work-life balance while you are aiming for permanent residency

Work Visa Lawyers has been established in South Australia with a team of Immigration lawyers and Registered Migration Agents who are specialized in South Australia Immigration.

Please book an appointment with our experts to talk about your South Australia Permanent Residency Pathway>

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Which state is the best for skilled migration program visa 491,190 and which state is the best for Employer Sponsored visa 482, 186?

To conclude, the best states for migration for international graduates are South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory. This is because these states strongly support international graduates and have comparatively high numbers of visas allocated to these states.

Part of this high allocation is that all the states are considered regional.

The best state for migration based on employer sponsorship depends on which state offers the most opportunities for your occupation.

For many management-related occupations or occupations that would be employed by large organisations including high-level ICT jobs, the best states may be New South Wales which has Sydney and Victoria which has Melbourne.

If your occupation is mining-related then attractive states would include Western Australia, Northern Territory, Queensland and South Australia.

That is all for today. We hope that this writing can give you a better idea of which state you should choose to study in Australia to get permanent residency.

Author:

Sumandeep Grewal, Registered Migration Agent at Work Visa Lawyers

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Disclaimer

This information is correct at the time of publication but is subject to change without notice.  All information provided on this page is provided for purely educational purposes and does not constitute legal advice.  For advice on your situation, please speak with an Immigration Lawyer or a Registered Migration Agent.

Read our latest Australian immigration updates April 2022 here>

Australia has a strong education system and is considered one of the best in the world, which makes it very attractive to students across the world.

Most of the students once they complete their studies want to get settled in Australia because of the livability factor.

They may get a decent lifestyle including physical and mental wellbeing, which makes them want to get settled here.

Obtaining Australian Permanent Residency Visa is getting more and more competent, and the visa system is vast and complex.

Many times, people do get confused about how to get it

Here we are discussing a few common pathways to Australian PR for you

Latest Australian Immigration Updates after 1st July 2022 with 482 Visa, 485 Visa concession, Global Talent Visa, Working Holiday 462 Visa and 491 Visa>>

Read our latest Australian Immigration updates June 2022 here >>>

Australian Immigration Monthly News April 2022 Overview

Two big events have influenced the news this month.
The Australian federal budget was handed down on Tuesday, 29 March

This is provided a lot of details about what to expect in the migration program year.
The second big event is that on 10 April Prime Minister Scott Morrison called the day for the federal election.

The federal election will be held on 21 May 2022.

Just prior to the election being called there is often a frenzy of activity and announcements.

This is because once the election is cold then the government often goes into what’s called caretaker mode.  Parliament no longer sits and there is no further opportunity to pass new legislation.

Another factor relevant to this month’s news is that Australia has very low unemployment rate at 4%.
However, there are severe skills shortages in many industries.

There are a lot of essential updates during March and April 2022.

Changes have been made to bring benefits to skilled workers in Australia.

However, there is still a focus on other streams like Business and Investment Visa or Global Talent Visa.

Today’s video will cover:

• A new pathway to PR for short term TSS visa 482 - Full Information here !
• Age concession for ENS TRT 186 visa
• Federal Budget and migration program planning level 2022-23
• State Nomination Skilled Regional Visa 491 and Skilled Nominated Visa 190 updates
• Pandemic Covid Visa 408
• Agriculture Visa Australia updates
• DAMA opening in more regional areas
• Australia and India Economic and Trade agreement and its benefit
• Working Holiday Visa Australia - Open

PR for short term TSS visa 482/457

After 30 June 2022, the new changes of 482 visas short term to PR will be applied to specified persons.

Eligible applicants will apply for permanent residency under the temporary residence transition stream of subclass 186.

The following requirement must be met:

• You were in Australia for 12 months cumulative from 1^st February 2020 until 14 December 2021
• You must hold a 482 visa at the time of application - After 1st of July 2022
• You must have been working for the same employer for 3 years prior to lodgment.

This new law recognizes those who supported the Australian economy during the pandemic.

This is a massive benefit to all applicants in Australia during the specified period and thinking of changing to a 482 visa.

There are more concessions for this new change.

We have covered these with some FAQs in the video below for your information.

New age exemption for Legacy 457 workers

457 visa holders will also receive the same benefit in this new PR pathway.

Under the current instrument, there is no age limit for those that fall within the definition of legacy 457

Eligible applicants are someone who:

• Held a 457 on or after 18 April 2017
• Was in Australia for at least 12 months between 1^st February 2020 and 14 December 2021

This change only happens after the 1^st of July 2022.

There is also new programs to allow third onshore 482 visa.

Australia Federal budget 2022-23

There is big news after the release of the Australian Federal Budget for the next financial year.

The migration planning levels will remain at 160,000.

But the distribution has changed significantly.

Skilled visa streams will account for two-thirds of the program.

It will increase to 109,900 in the following program year.

This rise in allocations will distribute to Employer-sponsored visas and skilled visas 189,190 and 491.

Business and Investment visas experience a modest drop to 9,500 from 13,500.

This may not affect much on the stream because it may not reach the allocations.

Global Talent Visa also sees a reduction in places.

However, in 2021, while there was an allocation of 15,000, just over 9000 was granted.

The government will also invest more to continue the global business, and talent taskforce.

This will further attract talented individuals and international investment to Australia.

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Working holidaymakers places will increase by 11,000 in 2022-23.

Other streams like family and partner visas will witness a significant drop with the focus on skilled streams.

But these streams were nearly doubled during the covid pandemic.

More details are covered in this video here.

State Nomination - Skilled Regional Visa 491 and Skilled Nominated Visa 190 updates

South Australia Skilled Visa 491 and 190

Following Tasmania, WA, and NT, South Australia has announced its Visa 491 quotas are almost empty.

However, this is a perfect time for someone who is seeking Visa 190 nominations which are direct PR in South Australia.

SA Skilled & Business migration are prioritizing:

• Subclass 190 applications - Applicants who are eligible for South Australia state nomination will have higher chance to be invited.
• Candidates with their 485 visa expiring within this program year 2021-2022
• Highly skilled workers with full-time employment for a South Australian employer

We have more than 10 years of experience in South Australia Skilled Visa 491/190. Please book an appointment for the best advice

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Tasmania Skilled Visa 491 and 190

Tasmania has announced having a limited allocations remaining.They have requested more investigation for other places.

However, there has been no positive news until now.

More than 1,480 applications are yet to be decided.

Only 1300 places remaining, Migration Tasmania will prioritize applicants who are employed directly related to their skills assessment.

Some applications may be held over to the new program year.

But you will be considered based on the arrangements at the lodgment time.

Tasmanian Skilled Migration has published a consultation paper that invites public comment.

It is reviewing the migration requirements and setting for the next program year.

Overall, there are more positive pathways :

• Long term residence pathways for 491 and 190 skilled visa nominations.
• Graduate pathways updates of the requirement for Tasmania Graduate

Non-student visa holders who complete courses on the priority list can be considered Tas graduates.

Applicants must have 3 months of work experience in the nominated occupation post-graduation.

• Business owner requirement has changed to 12 months of operation.
• Tasmania will remove its skilled occupation list for overseas applicants.

Offshore applicants can now receive invitations after lodgment of EOI.

This new proposal is for review now.

Public comments are welcome to enhance Tasmania’s migration settings.

Western Australia Skilled Visa 491 and 190 Updates

WA has announced additional nomination allocations for its state nomination program.

New applications are now being accepted.

All on-hand applications will be proceeded with and be contacted as required.

The following invitation round will be held in the first week of May and June.

Other states such as NSW Skilled Visa 491 or Victoria State nomination has not yet been changed recently. However, it seems to be very competitive in these states with a large number of applications on hand.

Clients can consider moving regional to seek 491 or 190 nominations earlier.

DAMA opens more in QLD, WA, and NSW

There is a DAMA Revolution going on for Regional Australia.

This gives skilled workers more pathways to permanent residency in Australia.

There are new DAMAs for the following Regions:

• Far North Queensland
• Orana, NSW
• East Kimberly and Pilbara, WA

Some changes have been adjusted for NT DAMA.

Northern Territory DAMA 

NT DAMA has made some changes to support the Territory businesses with workforce shortages.

Key changes include:

• More streamlined framework for employers to access workers over 5 year period
• More flexible permanent resident pathway
• 24 new occupations including lower-skilled occupations in agriculture
• Higher age limit
• Lower English requirement for tradies

Far North Queensland

The Australian government ensures that Far North QLD remains fit for the evolution of the regional labor market

Queensland is always famous for its tourist destinations.

These new changes in DAMA can support the economic impact on the tourism and hospitality sectors.

A range of occupations will become available for businesses to source workers.

Pilbara

DAMA of Pilbara will commence on 9 May 2022.

This will allow 66 occupations in Engineering, trades, Childcare, aged care, and health services to get access.

Employment opportunities are abundant on offer there in Pilbara.

East Kimberly DAMA

Businesses in East Kimberly can now access workers of more than 100 occupations.

The mining industry has covered a large economic output in East Kimberly.

However, the health care and social assistance industry is driving to be the largest employment sector.

Significant investment has taken part in the expansion of this area.

That will support growth in both the agricultural and tourism sectors

Orana, NSW

65 occupations have been open in the Orana region for businesses to source workers

This provides access to critical workers for jobs unable to be filled locally.

A skilled migrant workforce plays an important role in helping Orana fill the vacancies.

Skill level 4,5 occupations like aged care workers, security officers, or waiters are critical to the region.

DAMA and its streamlined migration pathway can attract skilled workers to fill the labor shortages.

Complete detail about DAMA in Australia will be published soon on our website.

Working holiday makers

Australia will open its doors to more working holiday makers.

New measures have been introduced to support current Australia’s tourism and trade sector.

There are now 47 countries globally with access to Australia’s work and holiday program.

A 30% cap increase to the working holiday programs.

Commencing on July 2022:

• Australia will open to 500 young people from Brazil
• Another 100 places for Mongolia
• Cap increase up to 1000 places for the Slovak Republic
• Hungary and Austria will also have a cap increased to 500 places
• Italian and Danish who are aged 35 and under can now get access to the program.

Australia and India’s trade Agreement

Good news for Indians who are interested in working in Australia

In the new Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement, 1000 work and holiday places for Indians have been allocated.

Those Indian students awarded first-class honors will have additional 2 or 3 years’ stay.

They must complete a STEM or ICT bachelor’s degree.

Agriculture Visa

Vietnam and Australia have signed the bilateral agreement for the Agriculture Visa program.

This will allow workers from Vietnam to work on Australian farms.

This agreement helps address the shortage in the agriculture industry for the medium and long term.

However, the application process has not yet published in detail.

Please stay tuned and subscribe to our channel for more updates.

Some changes in Pandemic Event Covid-19 Visa 408

Applicants must hold a valid visa with work rights 90 days or less from ceasing to apply for pandemic event Visa 408

Such a visa that was more than 28 days from the application will not be accepted.

You must be in Australia to apply for a 408 visa.

Evidence of employment or an offer of work should be attached to the application.

Visa for Ukrainians

We have received our fist visa grant for Ukrainians

I expect more measures from the Australian government in the future

Work Visa Lawyers – Temporary Activity Visa 408 - Australian Government endorsed events 

The subclass 408 COVID-19 Pandemic event visa is a visa of last resort. Now it is available to anyone who is currently working in Australia in ANY SECTOR.

Work Visa Lawyers will assess whether your occupation and your current profile fits into this covid visa 408. We will then draft and collate all the necessary paperwork, submit it, and follow up on your behalf.

We are one of the best Immigration Agents and Lawyers in Australia. we are based in South Australia, and you are always welcome to book an appointment with us via phone call, Zoom/Skype or Face to face consultation.

Book an appointment with one of our experienced Immigration Lawyers and Registered Migration Agents here.

Contact us on (08) 8351 9956 or +61 8 8351 9956 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Up to 3 years waiting to get their permanent residency approved!!

This is a true story that many of skilled migrants for General Skilled migration scheme have been waiting for ages just only to get their Permanent Residency and coming back to Australia to work.

Reporting from ABC news, Huang Yiwen has been waiting for her skilled visa 190 Approved for just over two years. As an immigration company, we are having a lot of questions from skilled migrants or Skilled workers about the processing time which is not in line with the information provided by the department of home Affairs.

"I have always taken Australia as my home" Ms Huang said. Back to the time when she was in Adelaide, South AUstralia, she was a part-time teacher for a primary school and has herself lodged application for the 190/491 skilled nominated visa. She returned to China in 2019 and is being stucked in China since then, even when the border is fully open on the 15 December 2021 for fully vaccinated temporary work visa holder. But she does not have her own temporary visa and she is waiting for her Permanent Residency approved to travel back to work in Australia.

Source: ABC