To reduce the shortage of skilled migrants, Australia’s states and territories have eased certain visa requirements.
In this blog, we will outline all 491 visa and 190 visa nomination requirements in each state and territory in the new financial year 2022-2023. We will also cover the Skilled Occupation List, giving skilled migrants a comprehensive guide for the Skilled Visa program in Australia from 2022-23.
All states and territories are opening their skilled Visa 491 or Visa 190 program for the 2022-23 program year because they have received state nominations from the Australian Government.
Now that the time has arrived for the states to open their skilled migration program for FY 2022-23 for onshore and offshore candidates, especially for offshore candidates. It’s an opportunity for skilled migrants to showcase their skills and get the options they have been looking for a long time. The department of home affairs has also been relaxing some terms and conditions required to obtain state-sponsored visas. Here’s all you need to know:
We encourage applicants from Australia and overseas to register their interest (ROI) after reading the eligibility requirements:
- Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)
- Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491)
For the 2022-23 program, you must submit a new Registration of Interest (ROI).
What are the eligibility requirements for subclass 190 and 491 visas?
Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)
If you’re looking to relocate to Australia as a skilled migrant permanently, you’ll need to apply for the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190). Before applying for this visa, you need a nomination from an Australian state or territory government; make sure to start the research early!
Who can apply?
You may be eligible to apply for the Australian Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa if you:
- Are committed to living in Australia,
- Have had your Registration of Interest (ROI) selected,
- Are under 45 years of age,
- Have at least Competent English, external link
- Have a valid Skills Assessment external link in an occupation on the eligible skilled occupation list external link for this visa, and
- Have achieved at least 65 points external link on the Australian government’s points test for your Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect.
How to apply?
The visa process has four steps, which are as follows:
- First, you’ll submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs. You can do this by using SkillSelect, which is an online system.
- Then, you’ll use the EOI number from SkillSelect to submit a Registration of Interest (ROI) for Australian nomination. You can do this via Indeed Visa.
- You’ll be asked to submit a nomination application with Indeed Visa if you’re invited to continue the process.
- Finally, if your nomination application is successful, you’ll need to submit a visa application for your selected visa with the Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs.
What you’ll need.
To make sure you meet the requirements for your application, you’ll need to provide the following documents:
- Passport
- English language test
- Skills Assessment
If you indicated on your Registration of Interest (ROI) that you’re currently working in Australia, you’d also need to provide the following:
- Employment contract
- Payslips (most recent four weeks)
- Superannuation statement
- Position description
Once you are nominated:
- You will be notified by email.
- Please submit your visa application to the Department of Home Affairs within 60 days. If you do not submit your visa application at this time, we will not be able to nominate you again.
- It is important to keep your contact details up to date so we can provide you with information on important services.
- We will also send you regular surveys about your experience with us and your settlement in Australia. We would appreciate it if you could commit to living and working in Australia for at least two years.
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491)
The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) allows skilled migrants to live, work and study in designated regional areas of Australia for a period of five years. This visa provides a pathway to permanent residency for those who Australia nominates.
Who can apply?
To be eligible to apply for a Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) nomination, you must:
- You may be eligible to apply for the Australian Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa if you:
- Are committed to living in Australia,
- Have had your Registration of Interest (ROI) selected,
- Are under 45 years of age,
- Have at least Competent English, external link
- Have a valid Skills Assessment external link in an occupation on the eligible skilled occupation list external link for this visa, and
- Have achieved at least 65 points external link on the Australian Government’s points test for your Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect.
How to apply?
- The visa process has four steps, which are as follows:
- First, you’ll submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs. You can do this by using SkillSelect, which is an online system.
- Then, you’ll use the EOI number from SkillSelect to submit a Registration of Interest (ROI) for Australian nomination. You can do this via Indeed Visa.
- You’ll be asked to submit a nomination application with Indeed Visa if you’re invited to continue the process.
- Finally, if your nomination application is successful, you’ll need to submit a visa application for your selected visa with the Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs.
What you’ll need?
For onshore applicants
If you’re applying for a job onshore, you’ll need to provide the following documents to show that you meet the requirements.
- A passport.
- An English language test.
- A skills assessment.
- Evidence of residence.
- An employment contract.
- Recent payslips (for the past four weeks)
- A superannuation statement.
- A position description.
For offshore applicants
If you are offshore, you are eligible to submit a Registration of Interest in any eligible occupation. Initially, we will prioritise health occupations; however, we encourage applicants in other occupations to submit a Registration of Interest so you may be considered.
Offshore applicants who wish to submit a Registration of Interest for an eligible occupation can do so by providing the following documents:
- A passport
- Evidence of an English language test
- A Skills Assessment.
Once you are nominated:
- You will be notified by email.
- Please submit your visa application to the Department of Home Affairs within 60 days. If you do not submit your visa application at this time, we will not be able to nominate you again.
- It is important to keep your contact details up to date so we can provide you with information on important services.
- We will also send you regular surveys about your experience with us and your settlement in Australia. We would appreciate it if you could commit to living and working in Australia for at least two years.
What are the necessary changes made for the 2022-23 program?
- State and territory authorities can nominate skilled individuals for visas under the State Nominated Migration Program.
- Successful applicants are given a permanent visa allowing them to live in the country indefinitely in the case of the Skilled Nominated subclass 190 visa or provided with a pathway to become a permanent resident after working in regional areas as part of the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491) visa.
- This year, almost 50,000 state-nominated visas are available, with New South Wales allocating the highest amount.
List of visa opportunities available in each Australian state
- Western Australia has the third-largest allocation of state-nominated visas, with 5,350 subclass 190s and 2790 regional visas. The list of skilled occupations has been expanded by over 100 jobs this year.
- Victoria has the second greatest number of state-nominated visas, with 11,570 spaces available for 2022/23. Of 9,000 subclasses, 190 visas have been issued, along with 2,400 regional and 170 business visas.
- Queensland’s list of eligible occupations has been expanded to include 114 occupations in 2022/23. 3,000 subclasses, 190 visas, 1,200 regional visas, and 235 business visas will be this year.
- South Australia has already opened its sponsorship program, with more than 500 occupations eligible for sponsorship. 2,700 subclasses, 190 visas, 3,180 regional visas, and 70 business visas have been allocated to the region.
- Northern Territory is one of the few jurisdictions that won’t accept applications from overseas residents. As part of the application, successful applicants must agree to live and work in the Northern Territory for a minimum of three years.
- New South Wales has the largest number of state-nominated positions, with more than 12,000 available.
Now that you have all the information on subclass 190 and 491 visas, it’s time to consult Indeed Visa.
Indeedvisa is the leading educational consultant when it comes to migration to Australia. We take pride in providing the best possible service to our clients, and we will guide you through every step of the application process. We are dedicated to helping you succeed in your application and will do everything we can to ensure it is successful.
If you’re still unsure, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at info@indeedvisa.com.au or give us a call at +61 430 575 574, and we’ll be happy to chat with you about your options and help you make an informed decision.