State Nomination Pathway for Immigration to Australia

Australia's state nomination program paves a pathway for skilled and talented migrants to qualify for a skilled migration to Australia. To apply for State Nomination in Australia, you must meet all the suitable visa requirements, state nomination requirements, and most importantly your occupation must be listed on a relevant Skilled Occupation List (SOL).

Most Popular Australia's State Nomination Visas Subclasses

• Skilled Nominated Visa Subclass 190 

This is a point-tested, permanent visa category that allows a skilled worker to stay in Australia indefinitely. With this visa, you can live and work in Australia permanently, enrol in Australia's public health care scheme, sponsor eligible relatives for Australia PR, travel to and from Australia for up to 5 years and apply for Australian citizenship (if eligible). 

• Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa Subclass 491

This is a temporary visa subclass and is ideal for skilled workers who are nominated by a state or territory government agency. With this visa, you can live, work and study in regional Australia for up to 5 years in Australia's designated region.

If you have held visa subclass 491 for 3 years, you can apply for permanent residency of Australia through Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa subclass 191, which is expected to commence from November 16, 2022.

State Nomination Programs for Skilled Migration to Australia 

• South Australia Skilled Visa Nomination Program 

To qualify for South Australia Skilled Migration Program via Visa Subclass 190 or 491, your occupation must be on the SA State Nominated Occupation List. 

• Western Australia Skilled Visa Nomination Program 

Western Australia provides State nomination for visa subclass 190 and 491 and to qualify, your occupation must be on the relevant WA Skilled Occupation list. 

• Victoria Skilled Visa Nomination Program 

The visa nomination program by Victorian Government invites highly skilled global talent via visa subclass 190 and 491. To qualify, your occupation must be on the relevant Victoria Skilled Occupation list. 

• Queensland Skilled Migration Program 

Skilled migrants can move to Queensland via state nomination under visa subclass 190 and 491 and to qualify, they must be in an occupation listed under relevant Queensland Skilled Occupation Lists (QSOL). 

• ACT Skilled Visa Nomination Program 

The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) provides territory nomination to Canberra Resident under visa subclass 190 and 491.  To qualify, your occupation must be on the relevant ACT Skilled Occupation list. 

• Tasmanian Skilled Nomination Visa Program 

To qualify for state nomination from Tasmania under visa subclass 190 and 491, your occupation must be on the relevant Tasmanian Skilled Occupations List. 

Key Requirements to qualify for State Nominated Visa 

To qualify for state nomination under above-mentioned visa subclasses, you must: 

• Submit an expression of interest (EOI) in SkillSelect
• Be nominated by an Australian territory or state government agency
• Have a positive skills assessment at the time of invitation
• Be aged under 45 years of age at the time of invitation
• Score a minimum of 65 points or more based on the information provided in your EOI
• Have a minimum of competent level of English at the time of invitation
• Ensure that your occupation is listed on the relevant eligible skilled occupations list for visa subclass 190
• Along with your accompanying family member (if any) must meet Australia's health and character requirement
• Have paid back debt (if any) to the government of Australia
• Ensure that you never had any visa cancelled or any previous application refused 

How to apply for Australia's State Nomination Visa

Stepwise process to apply for state nominated visa subclass

1. Before you apply, you must submit an EOI (expression of interest) via SkillSelect to show your interest in applying for a visa. 

2. The next step is to gather the supporting documents, including:

• Identity Documents
• Relationship Documents
• Character Documents
• Partner Documents
• English language test results
• Educational qualification proofs
• Skills Assessment Proof
• Medical Certificate issued by Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency
• Translation for documents in a language other than English 

3. Apply for the visa online once you get an invitation whether you are in or outside Australia within 60 days from the date you get an invitation to apply
4. Wait until your visa application is under process, the DHA informs you about the decision in writing
5. Upon visa outcome, you get your visa grant number, visa conditions (if any) and the exact date when your visa starts 

Designated regional areas in Australia 

For migration purposes, most if the locations in Australia outside big cities, like Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane are classified as designated regional areas. 

There are 3 regional categories along with incentives for those skilled migrants who migrate to locations classified under Category 2 ‘Cities and Major Regional Centres’ or Category 3 ‘Regional Centres and Other Regional Areas’. 

• Applicants under Category 2:
• Get priority visa processing
• Get access to the ROL, i.e. Regional Occupations List that has more jobs compared to non-regional lists.
• Eligibility to access additional year on a post-study work visa in Australia for International. graduates with bachelor or higher educational qualification from any of Australia's regional campus. 

• Applicants under Category 3:
• International graduates who get bachelor or higher degree from any of Australia's regional campus get access to additional 2 years on a post-study work visa in Australia.
• Get priority while negotiating region-specific DAMA, i.e., Designated Area Migration Agreements. 

Migrate to Australia this year 

If you are interested in moving to Australia under state nomination visa program, you may take our free profile assessment, here.