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State Sponsorship 190 and 491 Visas

The Australian states are now open for sponsorship under the 190 and 491 visas. Check the eligibility criteria for your desired state or territory to see if you qualify.

We have some articles for more information: South Australia / Queensland / Victoria / New South Wales.

Victorian Invitation Rounds

Victoria recently held an invitation round, inviting professionals in various occupations, including Marketing Specialists and Accountants. Having high points for a job in Victoria with a good salary seems to be a relevant consideration from the Victorian Government.

The Victorian Government said that for offshore applicants they are only considering Health, Education, and Social Services.

Selection rounds will continue through September 2023, with the program closing in early 2024. Submit your Registration of Interest as soon as possible.

Western Australia

Western Australia also had the first invitation round for 190 and 491 visas. Some occupations invited were in priority WA Industries: building and construction; healthcare and social assistance; hospitality and tourism; and o education and training. The invitations were to people living in WA, living in other states, and offshore.

Employer-Sponsored 482 to PR in Two Years

If you have held a 457 or 482 visa for over two years, you may be eligible to apply for permanent residency.

Click here to read more about Permanent Residency for employer-sponsored 482 visa holders after 2 years.

Big news coming soon

It is expected that the Minister for Home Affairs will announce the plans for reforms in the next few days or weeks.

One of the changes that may be coming is Refining the Points test

In addition to points we have already covered; the table says better targeted skilled migration will:

• Introduce new permanent skilled visa settings, including exploring a revised points test
• The points reforms could include more points for skilled partners. 
• A more granular system in terms of age and points, for example not losing 10 points when you turn 40. There is also the possibility of cuts to regional points.

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.

New South Wales (NSW) intends to commence invitation rounds for the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) next week. NSW will no longer rely on specific ANZSCO unit groups to compile a skills list. Instead, it's adopting a dynamic sector-focused strategy to meet the demands of the job market.

NSW Target Sectors

The priority sectors identified by NSW closely mirror the current skills shortages within the state. These key areas include:
• Health
• Education
• Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
• Infrastructure
• Agriculture

Greetings to all aspiring immigrants and those keen on keeping up with the latest developments in Australian immigration. Here's a roundup of the most recent updates you need to know:

VETASSESS Skills Assessment Changes

VETASSESS has stopped taking skills assessments for the trade occupations of Chef, Cook, Diesel Motor Mechanic, Motor Mechanic (General), Fitter (General), Electrician (General), and Metal Machinist (First Class). This change comes as a disappointment to many tradies.

For more information: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/f6rVvopc19o

Victoria has officially opened its State Nomination Program for the year 2023-24. This program provides aspiring skilled migrants, both within Australia and overseas, with an opportunity to pursue permanent residency in Victoria.

Victoria has set aside 2,700 allocations for the Subclass 190 visa and 600 for the Subclass 491 visa. This allocation distribution primarily emphasizes the Subclass 190 visa, making it an attractive option for those looking to secure permanent residency in this state.

Migration Queensland Program will begin inviting selected applicants from the end of September 2023 and hold invitation rounds at the end of each month for the remainder of the financial year 2023-24. The number of applicants invited each month will be capped to ensure an even and consistent rate of invitation throughout the program year. Due to this competitive process, ensure that you explore alternative migration options.

The Australian Government announced that it will close the Global Talent Visa in late 2024 and replace it with the new National Innovation Visa. Follow this link for more details about the National Innovation Visa.

All that you need to know about Global Talent Visa is on this page: CLICK HERE

Getting a PhD degree from an Australian university is not easy. It takes a lot of hard work, sacrifice and expense to successfully complete a PhD degree. So, congratulations to all PhD graduates.

However, PhD graduates still have big decisions to make after finishing their degree.

While some PhD graduates decide to go back to their home countries or move to other countries, some choose to stay in Australia for the various opportunities on offer.

This includes job opportunities and perhaps because of the options for permanent residency in Australia.

Many PhD graduates found it complicated to secure an Australian Permanent Residency until the born of Global Talent Visa program.

However, with the current news and budget allocations this financial year, focus has been distributed to other skilled visa 491/190 streams.

States and territories have announced new state nomination criteria to attract those research students and planning to migrate in Australia.

In this article, we will discuss 2 options for permanent residency for PhD graduates – the Global Talent Visa and the state-nominated visas 491 or 190

Global Talent Visa Australia

One good option for PhD graduates is the Global Talent Visa.

Since opening, Global talent visa is designed for PhD students not just in Australia but around the world to get Australian PR.

Many PhD graduates have been nominated for Global Talent visa 858.

It became increasingly popular in Australia during covid-19 being the only stream for highly skilled talented people to get into Australia while travel restriction is still around.

During that time, applicants could get Global Talent Visa within months and moved to Australia with the whole family.

Recent PhD graduates who can attract or is earning a very high salary will be considered favourably for this visa.

High salary means that you are currently earning or has the ability to earn a salary equivalent to or higher than Australia’s Fair Work High Income Threshold (FWHIT) which is currently set at AUD$162,000/per annum.

More information about the Global Talent Visa requirements here >>

Applicants relying on their PhD degree need to show that they have internationally recognised achievements, are prominent in their field and must have their PhD degree conferred in the last 3 years.

Applicants with a PhD still must show that they meet the other criteria for the grant of the Global Talent Visa.  More information about this visa and the eligibility requirements can be found on our website.

These are the 4 core requirements for Global Talent Visa Australia:

1. Skills in the 10 targeted sectors
2. Internationally recognized for outstanding achievement in your field -career history, publications, journals, awards throughout your career
3. High salary income threshold at 162,000 AUD per annum
4. Nomination from Australian organizations or Australian Permanent residents who must be prominent in the same field as you.

Please check out our Global Talent visa recent news here >>

State nominated visa 491/190

If you are a PhD graduate but will not be able to meet the criteria for the Global Talent Visa, like for example you do not meet the high-income threshold, there are still other options for you such as the state nominated visas.

South Australia state nomination for PhD students

One state nominated visa option for international graduates is South Australia’s nomination under its Highly Skilled and Talented stream.

This is a new stream recently announced by South Australia.

The stream is slightly similar to Global Talent Visa but much easier with lower income requirement.

Most PhD graduates have been struggling with income threshold requirements for Global Talent Visa.

This is the chance for you because this SA Nomination Stream is open for interstate applicants.

The requirements say you must::

1. Under 45 years of age
2. Positive Skill Assessment
3. at least Proficient English (IELTS 7.0 or equivalent)
4. EOI 65 points including State nomination points
5. Be earning a high base salary threshold commensurate with the expectations of the Highly Skilled and Talented stream (at least $80,000 per annum) and working full time (at least 30 hours per week or 60 hours per fortnight)
6. Onshore applicants are also required to show that they:
   1. Have extensive experience, working in highly skilled jobs, in senior or executive level roles; and
   2. already commenced employment in South Australia

OR

have an employment contract for a position you plan to relocate to in South Australia. If you are currently working for a company in another state, and intend to relocate to the South Australian office of your current company,

OR

Have demonstrated specialised experience or niche skills that are highly desired in one of South Australia’s critical priority sectors.

If you meet the above requirements, South Australia may potentially nominate you for the sc-491 or sc-190 visa.

For some South Australia PhD graduates, you will be encouraged to apply for state nominated visa in Australia.

You can go for SA Graduate stream with high-performing graduate pathway.

If you have positive skill assessment of your nominated occupation, you might be eligible for a visa 491 or 190.

Queensland

 Another state which has a great visa option or pathway for high-performing PhD graduates is Queensland.

Migration Queensland allows PhD graduates of the state to seek 491 visa or 190 visa nominations.

To be eligible you must:

1. Be living in Queensland
2. have a points test result, including the state nomination points, of at least 80 points (for the sc-190 visa) or 65 points (for the sc-491 visa). However, having higher points is always better
3. at least proficient English
4. have completed all of your PhD or Doctorate at a Queensland based institution
5. have had a decision of their thesis and graduated in the last 2 years
6. have an occupation listed on LIN 19/051 or the Specification of Occupations and Assessing Authorities Instrument 2019. LIN 19/051 is the Legislative instrument that lists the occupations in the Medium and Long‑term Strategic Skills List (or the MLTSSL.)

One advantage of this pathway is that if you are a PhD graduate you do not have to provide evidence of employment unlike for Master’s Degree or Bachelor Degree graduates who need to show that they have a job offer or employment in their nominated or closely nominated occupation.

Tasmania

Tasmania is also another state that is currently providing a good pathway for its PhD graduates.

Tasmania has introduced a colour-coded system to rank the applicants’ Registration of Interest (ROI).  These are the Gold, Green and Orange pass or attributes.

Those who have the Gold attribute are likely to be invited immediately to apply for the Tasmanian state nomination. These are the candidates who have their skills assessment and related employment for at least the past 3 months in Tasmania’s critical roles list. This list can be found on the Migration Tasmanian website.

Candidates who can claim one or more Green attributes are likely to be invited within 2 weeks of their ROI submission.

And those who have Orange attributes may still be invited depending on the ROIs received by the state and number of priority attributes recorded. This means that those who can only claim Orange attributes have less chances of getting invited. However the more Orange attribute you can claim, the better your chances are of getting invited to apply for the Tasmanian state nomination.

PhD graduates or candidates who cannot claim to have the Gold Attribute still has a good chance of getting invited to apply for the Tasmanian state nomination and claim a Green attribute if they have completed at least 2 years of their PhD in Tasmania.

They also have to meet the following minimum requirements:

1. have completed a course of study and obtained a letter of completion from a tertiary institution in Tasmania registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS)
2. have lived in Tasmania for at least two calendar years from the commencement of their course and for the duration of their studies
3. their course must have been completed full-time and on-site in Tasmania and
4. currently be living in Tasmania and intend to continue living in Tasmania.

If you are an onshore PhD graduate or candidate and wants to know more about your Australian visa options or who wants to know how we can assist you with your permanent visa options please contact us on (+61) 08 8351 9956 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Our team of experienced Immigration Lawyers and Migration Agents look forward to assisting you with your Australian visa or appeal.

You can also book an appointment online.

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

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Overview of Australian Immigration in 2022 - Post-Pandemic Covid-19

2021 has been a tough year with many ups and downs due to the impact of Covid-19.

2022 begins with many new positive policies that welcome international students and skilled migrants.

• Skilled visas 491, 190 and 189 will be prioritized in the next financial year.
• TSS 482 Short-term applicants can now apply for a PR 186 visa.

Recently, the most significant event is the election result held on 21 May 2022. This article will share the latest updates on Australian Immigration during May and June 2022. Moreover, we will demonstrate what we see in the new labour government to the Migration Policy of Australia in the next few years.

LATEST AUSTRALIAN IMMIGRATION BLOS FOR APRIL 2022 HERE>

There is a lot of good news in Australia that has been fully open for tourists and all visa holders.

This leads to many new changes in various visa subclasses covered in today’s video such as:

• Skilled Migration program visa 491, 191 and state nomination update
• TSS 482 Visa and DAMA (Designated Area Migration Agreement)
• Skilled recognized graduate visa 476
• Visa 408 covid-19 
• Global Talent Visa
• Agriculture visa program
• Contributory Parent visa 143 and its substitutions

People worldwide choose Australia as a destination for their education, and with our prestigious universities and glorious climate, it’s easy to see why. 

But how do you pick where in Australia to study? It depends on the purpose of your study; within the scope of this writing, we only talk about the migration side and its work-life balance for international students who decide to settle down in Australia.

Let’s look at what the different states and territories have to offer.

The Criteria we are considering includes:

• Migration pathway (Visa streams like Skilled Visa program 189, 190 and 491, Employer Sponsorship, global talent visa…)
• Top ranking universities or institutions
• Cost of living
• Work opportunities and Salaries
• Lifestyle

Most international students come to Australia and choose Australia as their destination by attaining a permanent residency and Australian citizen.

There are extra incentives built into the Australian immigration system for those who study and live In regional areas.

These include:

• Extra 5 points for skilled migration
• Extra year for post-study work visa 485 for those who study an eligible course in regional areas
• More generous skilled occupation list for 491 visas in regional states and territories (491 visa is a 5-year temporary visa with a direct pathway to Australian permanent residency)
• Lower requirements for state nomination and skilled migration pathway

In terms of migration pathways, you should consider an employer sponsorship program. Employer sponsor migration relies on there being an employer that is willing to sponsor you for a visa.

NSW STATE NOMINATION BASIC INFORMATION

NSW state nomination uses a selection-based invitation procedure so as to suitable candidates are invited by the state are satisfying the requirements of the growth in their local economy.

Please do keep in mind that Direct application is not applicable with NSW State Nomination both Offshore and onshore. In order to be nominated, you must first submit your profile in EOI Skill Select and wait for the invitation by the state to lodge.

There are different invitation rounds in NSW, with the closes date would be of January 2022 and it is held from time to time. Make sure you hit the subscribe Newsletter on our website for updates of everything in Australia Immigration. 

While held on an ongoing basis throughout the financial year, invitations rounds are not announced beforehand and don’t follow a pre-determined schedule as such.

NSW nominates candidates for the following Skilled Visa:

• Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190): For nominated skilled workers to work and live in Australia as permanent residents. 90% of the visa applications are processed within 18 months.
• Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491): For skilled workers nominated by a state/territory government to work and live in regional Australia. 90% of the visa applications are processed within 9 months.

Other Australia visa pathways are also available for skilled professionals intending to migrate to NSW, such as – Global Talent Visa (subclass 858), Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189), Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494), and Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186) and TSS 482 visa.

Good news is now you can be residing onshore or Offshore to get NSW 190 state nomination with the following requirements below

Onshore:

Be currently living in NSW and –

·       have “genuinely and continuously” lived in NSW for the past three months, OR

·       be gainfully employed in NSW (long-term capacity, in nominated or closely-related occupation, for a minimum of 20 hours/week).

NSW STATE NOMINATION - OPEN FOR OFFSHORE

NSW 190: Mandatory Minimum 3 Years Work Experience requirement for Certain Occupations:

 

You may submit an ROI for NSW nomination under Stream 3 if you reside offshore.

UPDATED 13 MAY 2021

Australia's current allocations of places for skilled migration and business visa nominations. 

Business & Skilled Migration Queensland Australia (BSMQ) has announced it will temporarily open statement nomination program (BSMQ business and skilled program) from Tuesday 29 September 2020 until Monday 5 October 2020.

BSMQ indicates the following:  

• They will only pick up NEW EOIs lodged from Tuesday 29 September 2020.
• The invitation will be closed if all supporting documents have not been uploaded in 24 hours.

In the past few weeks, some Australian states and territories have opened for state nomination with limited places. There is a big focus on nominating applicants with 'critical skills' to help Australia's economic recovery post-COVID.

Today it has been announced by Immigration SA that they have received a limited allocation from the Department of Home Affairs for GSM 491 visa and 190 visa nominations and Business/Investment visa nominations. 

The Department of Home Affairs has sent out the first round of invitations for the 2020-2021 program year on 14 July 2020.

This first round of invitation for the subclass 189 and 491 (family-sponsored) is a positive indication that the monthly invitation rounds will continue.

At the current time, the subclass 190 and 491 state sponsored visas are still on hold.

****UPDATE 18 June 2020***: NSW has removed the minimum period of residence and the working requirements for state nomination. The application deadline has also been extended to 5pm Friday 26 June 2020.

For the first time since the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 491) visa was announced in November 2019, NSW is finally accepting nomination applications for this subclass. NSW Treasury will begin accepting nominations for 491 visa for a limited time. Read more to find out how to apply!

Applications opened on Monday 15 June 2020 and will close at 5pm on Tuesday, 23 June 2020. The application deadline has been extended to 5pm Friday 26 June 2020.

Applications will be assessed by the end of the financial year; Tuesday 30 June 2020.

The Coronavirus pandemic has impacted the situation for those who have applied for or who are looking to apply for a state sponsored, skilled visa.

Many states have made changes to reduce the availability of state nomination for offshore applicants, as offshore applicants will not be able to travel

to Australia until the border and travel restrictions are lifted.

In this article we will look at the changes to state nomination state by state and the impact of coronavirus on skilled migration.

In support of the South Australian Government’s on-going response to the Coronavirus, Immigration SA is implementing visa eligibility criteria changes and will prioritise the processing and nomination of health and medical workers.  

Both the Marshall State Government and the Morrison Federal Government have acknowledged the need to urgently find more medical and health professions to join the Australia’s Healthcare System. 

Epidemiology experts are predicting there will be an intense as well as lengthy infection period for the Coronavirus. 

On 4 December 2019, Immigration SA opened nomination applications for the new subclass 491 visa and re-opened nomination applications for the subclass 190 visa. At the same time some new selection requirements have been introduced.