News & Updates
It finally seems something is moving in the mysterious world of State Nomination programs.
At first it was the wait for the budget release, pushed back from July to October.
Then, it was the allocation of numbers per state, finally announced in December.
Now, finally, some states have started to release info about their programs. We will describe the key features here below. If your state of interest sounds promising, send us an email at info@greenwingsmigration.com.au and we will be happy to give you our professional assistance to develop the best suitable strategy!
Western Australia
Invitations to apply for State Nomination will resume in January 2021. Eligible occupations and invitation criteria have been revised in line with the state’s health and economic needs.
Key points:
- Two invitation streams will remain: “general” and “graduate”
- Only onshore applicants will be selected, and only if not barred by Section 48
- Forced online study (due to COVID) will be counted towards 2 years of study for nomination criteria (whereas normally only face to face would count)
- Interstaters welcome, but they will have to provide evidence of funds
- Occupations in the “general” stream include only health related positions. All “nursing” positions – including Critical Care and Perioperative – are now open
- In the “graduate” stream, many occupations have been closed, but for the joy of many some of the most sought after are still available: chefs, café’ and restaurant manager, civil and electrical engineering draftsperson, community worker, conference and events organizer, veterinary nurse.
- Work experience still required:
- General stream: 1 yr of Australian Experience OR 3 yrs of overseas experience in the role AND a full time contract of employment for a WA employer for at least 12 months
- Graduate stream: 6 month minimum Australian experience OR a full time contract of employment for a WA employer for at least 6 months
- English to be met
New South Wales
New South Wales is open to its residents only and is issuing invitations to a limited number of occupations, encompassing nurses, health managers, a number of engineers and some IT occupations. This applies to both 190 and 491 visa options.
Those interested in the 491 should note there are three classes of people that may be invited to apply:
- People living and working in regional NSW
- People who have recently completed studies in NSW
- People currently residing in metropolitan NSW, but able to present either a job offer or close family ties in regional NSW
Victoria
Victoria has re-opened its selection process, but is also applying basically the same criteria they were applying during the interim program.
In particular:
- Those interested in the 491 visa must:
be living in regional Victoria
have a minimum 3 months of work experience in Victoria in an occupation in health, medical research, life science, agrifood or digital sector which supports Victoria’s economic recovery and/or health response
Graduates and PhD applicants who studied in the above fields are also eligible
- Those interested in the 190 visa must :
be living in Victoria
have a minimum 6 months of work experience in Victoria in an occupation in health, medical research, life science, agrifood or digital sector which supports Victoria’s economic recovery and/or health response
Graduates and PhD applicants who studied in the above fields are also eligible
Australian Capital Territory
Only open to Canberra residents through the Canberra Matrix.
Key points:
- Having a job on the ACT critical skills list or being a 457/482 holder working in ACT (conditions apply)
- Minimum 3 or 6 months work experience, completed in Canberra
- Those who are self-employed may apply, but must have been living and working in Canberra for at least 12 months
- Minimum English level (level required depends on your occupation)
Northern Territory
Open for onshore candidates only and with strict eligibility criteria.
Key points:
- Interstaters not accepted for 190 visa. Therefore, even if just one dependent family member is living interstate, no member of the family will be eligible.
- Current student visa holders studying in a NT institution will not be accepted. That includes one family member of the main applicant.
- If you have already been nominated for a 489/491 visa in NT, you will not be renominated for a visa 190
- Overseas candidates may be considered only if their occupation is featured on the NTMOL and if they already have 12 months of experience completed in the last 2 years (alternatively, they must have a relevant Australian qualification)
- Unlike some other states, you do not necessarily need a job offer however you must provide evidence of strong employability opportunities in NT
South Australia
Still closed.
Queensland
Still closed.
