State Sponsorship Overview

The state sponsorship program in Australia presents a remarkable opportunity for skilled individuals aspiring to settle and work in a specific state or territory. However, it is crucial to bear in mind that the eligibility criteria and required occupations for state sponsorship may vary from one state or territory to another. Applicants must meet specific criteria to apply for state sponsorship, including a positive skills assessment and adequate English language proficiency. Conducting thorough research and understanding the prerequisites of each state or territory before applying is essential. Our expert team can assist with this crucial step, ensuring that applicants meet the requirements and increase their chances of obtaining state sponsorship.

Australia offers two visa options for qualified individuals to work in eligible skilled occupations and be nominated by a state or territory. These visas include:

Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)

Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491)

Advantages of Seeking State Nomination:

Obtaining nomination from a state or territory offers the following benefits:

Priority processing of your visa with the Department of Home Affairs,
An additional 5 points for a Skilled Nominated (Permanent) visa (subclass 190) towards the Home Affairs points test,
An additional 15 points for a Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) towards the Home Affairs points test, and
The same work rights as an Australian citizen – providing independence that isn't tied to a single employer.

What is the Australian Skilled Occupations List?

The Australian Skilled Occupations List is a comprehensive guide that enlists all the occupations qualifying for skilled migration to Australia. This list includes various occupations in demand in the Australian job market and considered as skilled occupations. These occupations are classified under the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL), the Regional Occupation List (ROL) or the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) ROL List. To be eligible for state sponsorship your nominated occupation should be on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) or on the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL).

Here is a list of Australian states, their in-demand occupations, and eligibility criteria:

Western Australia (WA) State Sponsorship:

If you have been eyeing the golden opportunity of migrating to Western Australia, you're in the right place. We offer a comprehensive guide on the Western Australia State Sponsorship under the State Nominated Migration Program, which can provide a pathway to permanent residency in Australia.

The State Nominated Migration Program is an initiative by the Government of Western Australia, aimed at attracting skilled migrants to the region. Through this program, the government nominates eligible candidates for a permanent visa, granting them the opportunity to live and work in Western Australia.

To be considered for this program, you need to meet the eligibility criteria, including but not limited to having an occupation on the Western Australian skilled migration occupation list, meeting the work experience requirements, demonstrating English language competency, and having a positive skills assessment in your nominated occupation.

The application process is relatively straightforward. It involves:

Expression of Interest (EOI): Submit an EOI through SkillSelect, which is the Australian Government's online service that enables skilled workers interested in migrating to express their interest for a skilled visa.
Invitation to Apply: If your EOI is successful, you will receive an invitation to apply for state nomination. Please note that WA residents and graduates have higher chance of receiving an invitation. Healthcare, hospitality and construction occupations are highly demanded in Western Australia and they may be invited earlier than the other applicants.
State Nomination Application: After receiving an invitation, submit your state nomination application through the Migration Portal.
Visa Application: If you receive state nomination, you will then be invited to apply for a visa through the Department of Home Affairs.

Being sponsored by the Western Australian Government can significantly increase your chances of obtaining a visa. It also allows you to live and work in a beautiful and economically prosperous region of Australia.

Construction Visa Subsidy Program in Western Australia

The recently launched Construction Visa Subsidy Program (CVSP) is offering vital support to construction businesses in Western Australia by addressing the increasing demand for a skilled workforce.

Under this program, eligible construction businesses can receive grant payments of up to $10,000. These grants are designed to facilitate skilled migration visa pathways for workers and assist in covering expenses such as migration agent fees, visa application fees, and relocation costs. The CVSP aims to bolster the construction industry by enabling businesses to attract and hire skilled workers from overseas, thus contributing to the growth and development of the sector in the region.

This innovative program offers eligible employers and independent skilled migrants the opportunity to receive grant payments of up to AUD 10,000, helping to offset expenses such as migration agent fees. Employers can receive payments at three key milestones, while skilled migrants can receive at two milestones if they apply for their visa offshore.

However, it's important to note that those skilled migrants who are already onshore when the program commences will receive reduced payments [AUD 5,000]. To qualify, employers must sponsor a skilled migrant under specific visa subclasses and be engaged in construction work in Western Australia.

This exciting program is a testament to Western Australia's commitment to supporting skilled migrants through its State Nominated Migration Program, providing a vast array of employment opportunities in the thriving building and construction industry.

List of Available Occupations and Visas for Construction Visa Subsidy Program:

Queensland (QLD) State Sponsorship:

Queensland's Skilled Nomination Program presents a valuable opportunity for skilled migrants to become part of our vibrant community and contribute to the flourishing economy and exceptional lifestyle. Through this program, Queensland nominates skilled migrants in occupations that are in high demand, offering pathways for both provisional visas and permanent residency, granting you the chance to live and work in Queensland. Embracing skilled migrants enhances our workforce and enriches the cultural diversity of our region, making it a rewarding and fulfilling place to call home.

To migrate to Queensland on a skilled visa, you need a nomination from the state. Managed by the Queensland Government through Migration Queensland, state-nominated visas offer permanent residency and the opportunity to live and work permanently in Queensland. There are two main visa types available:

1. Skilled Nominated (Permanent) visa (subclass 190):

Points-tested visa for skilled workers seeking permanent residency in Queensland.
Eligible for skilled workers living in Queensland, offshore, and graduates of a Queensland university.
Applicable regions: All of Queensland.
Note: Not available if you hold or have applied for a Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) or Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489).

2. Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491):

5-year, points-tested visa leading to permanent residency.
Requires nominated skilled workers to live and work in regional Queensland.
Eligible for skilled workers living in Queensland, offshore, graduates of a Queensland university, and small business owners operating in regional Queensland.
Applicable regions: Specific postcodes within regional Queensland. 4019–4022, 4025, 4037, 4074, 4076–4078, 4124–4125, 4133, 4183–4184, 4207–4275, 4280–4287, 4300–4301, 4303–4498, 4500–4512, 4514–4519, 4521, 4550–4575, 4580–4895.

Eligible Occupations: To apply for a skilled visa, your occupation must be on the relevant list of eligible skilled occupations by Home Affairs (LIN 19/051). If applying as a skilled worker living offshore, your occupation must be on the offshore Queensland Skilled Occupation List (QSOL).

Tasmania (TAS) State Sponsorship:

Tasmania's skilled migration program welcomes individuals with the skills the state needs, whether they want to relocate or settle here. Skilled migrants are drawn to Tasmania by its enviable lifestyle, promising career prospects, reputable educational institutions, and a globally recognized university.

The Tasmanian Government actively encourages skilled and business migrants, recognizing the valuable contribution they make to the state's economy and cultural diversity.

All occupations listed on the Australian Government's subclass 190 and 491 Skilled Occupation List are eligible for at least one of Tasmania's nomination pathways.

Skilled Migration Tasmania offers various pathways for skilled candidates to apply for state nomination, each with specific requirements and attributes for candidates.

However, meeting the minimum nomination requirements published on the website does not guarantee Tasmanian nomination as there is an annual nomination quota set by the Australian Government, limiting the number of candidates nominated.

Only the most competitive Registrations of Interest will be selected for an invitation to apply for nomination.

It's important to note that candidates nominated for a Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa will not be nominated for a permanent Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated visa in the future. Instead, the Subclass 491 visa offers a pathway to permanent residency through the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa.

Victoria (VIC) State Sponsorship:

Getting visa nomination from the Victorian Government can increase your chances of meeting the requirements for an Australian visa. When you apply for an Australian visa using SkillSelect, state and territory government agencies can nominate you if they find your skills and experience beneficial for their region. This nomination enhances your prospects of securing an Australian visa.

The Victorian Government offers visa nomination to selected investor, business, and skilled migrants who possess skill sets and business experience needed to support Victoria's industries in global competition. This nomination is free of charge and can be vital for certain visa applications.

Visa nomination from Victoria is an opportunity to improve your chances of getting an Australian visa, especially for certain visa types. However, it is not a visa application itself, and you must still apply for a visa through the Department of Home Affairs. Meeting the Department's requirements and Victoria's minimum eligibility criteria is essential for the nomination process.

To be eligible for Victorian visa nomination, you must meet the basic requirements of the Department of Home Affairs and fulfill Victoria's specific eligibility criteria for either a business or skilled visa. For skilled visas, you will also need to be selected by Victoria after submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) via SkillSelect and registering your interest for Victorian State Visa Nomination on the Live in Melbourne website.

South Australia (SA) State Sponsorship:

State nomination in South Australia allows the state government to nominate highly skilled migrants to fulfill its skills needs. For skilled migrants, state nomination can boost their chances of qualifying for a skilled migration visa from the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs. It provides additional points towards their subclass 190 or subclass 491 application.

Before applying for state nomination, it is essential to check the Department of Home Affairs visa requirements, ensure that your occupation is on the State Skilled Occupation List, and review South Australia's nomination streams to determine eligibility.

The benefits of state nomination in South Australia include access to an extensive list of occupations, additional points for the Department of Home Affairs points test for the 190 and 491 visas, and priority visa application processing for the subclass 491 visa. Skilled migrants may also be eligible for certain concessions and waivers, depending on the nomination stream they choose.

To apply for state nomination in South Australia, you must fulfill a variety of requirements before submitting your application. This involves providing relevant documentation to substantiate your claims and support your application.

The specific requirements for state nomination vary depending on your individual situation and the visa pathway you select. Be sure to carefully review and meet all the necessary criteria for successful nomination.

Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Sponsorship:

ACT nomination allows applicants to be nominated for two types of skilled migration visas: the Skilled Work Regional Visa (subclass 491) (provisional) and the Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190) (permanent). To apply for ACT nomination, you need to submit a valid expression of interest (EOI) via SkillSelect and ensure you meet the Department of Home Affairs' visa criteria.

ACT nomination is managed by the ACT government, while the Department of Home Affairs handles the visa application process. There are different pathways for Canberra residents and overseas applicants, each with specific eligibility criteria.

The Canberra Matrix is used to assess and select applicants based on their contributions to the Canberra region, such as economic and social factors. However, meeting the eligibility criteria does not guarantee a ranking in the Matrix.

A service fee is charged for processing ACT nomination applications, and only one nomination place is offered per person. Once nominated for a 491 or 190 visa, applicants cannot apply for another ACT nomination place, except in exceptional circumstances and with the ACT government's discretion.

Northern Territory (NT) sponsorship:

Northern Territory (NT) Government can nominate skilled migrants for visas if they meet both the Australian Government's standard requirements and the NT Government's nomination eligibility. A condition of NT Government nomination is that the applicant commits to living and working in the NT within their skilled occupation for at least three years after the visa is granted. The NT Government considers employment prospects in the NT and industry needs when deciding to offer nomination.

NT Government's nomination does not guarantee a job and applicants are responsible for finding their own employment and accommodation. The visa is granted by the Australian Government's Department of Home Affairs.

NT participates in the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491) visa and Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa schemes, which are for young, skilled individuals with good English proficiency. The subclass 491 visa is a provisional visa for living, working, and studying in a regional area like the NT. If nominated for subclass 491, applicants must reside in the NT for three years before qualifying for permanent residency. Subclass 190 is a permanent visa requiring applicants to live and work in the NT for at least three years from visa grant.

The NT nomination process involves assessing eligibility against Department of Home Affairs requirements, submitting an expression of interest in SkillSelect, applying for NT Government nomination, receiving a SkillSelect invitation for the visa application, and finally applying for the visa through the Department of Home Affairs.

For detailed information regarding the eligibility criteria for your desired occupation, we recommend referring to the government websites of each state, as they provide specific details for different occupations and visa options. If you require further clarification on which states or territories offer opportunities for your occupation and their corresponding eligibility criteria, please feel free to reach out to our team or book a consultation with our registered migration agent. We are dedicated to making this process seamless and straightforward for you.