South Australia (SA) offers many opportunities for skilled migrants. With 503 occupations listed on the SA Skilled Occupation List and four available streams, you may be eligible to apply.

South Australian Graduates Stream

International graduates who have selected South Australia as their study destination are given preference within the General Skilled Migration program.

The criteria to apply include:

• Have completed your qualification at a South Australian education provider
• A minimum of 50% of your qualification must have been completed in South Australia
• Must have resided in South Australia for at least one year during your studies
• Have been residing in South Australia for at least the last 12 months
• Have been working for the last 6 months, and be currently employed, in a full-time (at least 30 hours per week) job that is relevant to your nominated occupation

You can check all the criteria here.

Working in South Australia Stream

Skilled migrants holding a temporary visa who are currently living in South Australia and working in their nominated occupation may be eligible for state nomination through the Working in South Australia stream.

The criteria include:

• Check if your nominated occupation is eligible under the Working in South Australia stream on South Australia’s Skilled Occupation List
• Currently live and work in South Australia
• Have been residing in South Australia for at least the last 12 months
• Have been working for the last 6 months, and be currently employed, in a full-time (at least 30 hours per week) job that is relevant to your nominated occupation

You can check all the criteria here.

Highly Skilled and Talented Stream

This stream provides opportunities and pathways for highly skilled migrants who can contribute their demonstrated talent and/or support innovation in South Australia. Candidates may include skilled migrants living in South Australia, other Australian states, and territories, and offshore. You may be eligible to apply if you work in high-demand industry sectors such as Hi-Tech/Digital and Defence/Space.

The criteria include:

• Currently live and work in South Australia, interstate, or overseas
• If you are working or offered a position in South Australia, your employer must:

- Have been an existing business for at least 12 months. Your employer must have had a premise located and operating in South Australia for the past 12 months
- Have an annual turnover of at least $4 million

You can check all the criteria here.

Offshore Stream

Skilled migrants currently residing offshore, who have submitted an Expression of Interest using the Commonwealth Government’s Skill Select system, may be selected by South Australia, and invited to apply for state nomination.

South Australia will be assessing candidates on merit by the following factors, within their nominated occupation:

1. Years and field of skilled employment
2. English language ability
3. EOI points

Additionally, the Offshore stream is only open for selected occupations, with priority given to specialists in various fields, including medical professionals, engineers, and ICT experts.

You can check all the criteria here.

How to apply

The application process now involves a Registration of Interest (ROI) for all streams. Priority factors vary for SA graduates and may include factors like age, skilled employment experience in South Australia, and occupation sectors like Health and Medical Sciences, Trades and Construction, Early Childhood and Teaching, Digital Technology, Food and Agribusiness, Creative Industries, Tourism and Hospitality, as well as high-demand areas like Hi-Tech/Digital, Green Energy/Hydrogen, Defence/Space/Cyber Security, Advanced Manufacturing, and Health and Life Sciences.

The ROI system introduces a degree of uncertainty, as candidates submit their interest and await invitations. It's essential to have contingency plans in place, especially considering the competitive landscape. Employer-sponsored visas may be a viable alternative.

Outer Regional is gone

The Outer Regional Stream has been removed, which may disappoint those who relocated to regional SA in pursuit of a visa.

Business Innovation and Investment Program is closed

South Australia is not open to applications for state nomination for the Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188).

We have an article about a new Business and Significant Investor Visa expected in 2024: https://www.workvisalawyers.com.au/news/all/australian-business-and-significant-investor-visas-subclass-188-closed-new-visa-expected-in-2024.html

Sources:

https://www.migration.sa.gov.au/news-events/2023-24-general-skilled-migration-program-now-open

https://www.migration.sa.gov.au/occupation-lists/south-australia-skilled-occupation-list

How can Work Visa Lawyers help?

If you need help with this visa, Work Visa Lawyers can assist you. We can assist with all aspects of the application and will provide an eligibility assessment before advising you to proceed with a visa application.

Our team of experienced Immigration Lawyers and Migration Agents look forward to assisting you with your potential application(s).

Based in Adelaide South Australia, we provide Australian Immigration advice to people and businesses from all over the world.

You can book an appointment online or call us at (+61) 8 8351 9956.