NSW accepting nomination applications for skilled migration

skilled migration australia

NSW accepting nomination applications for skilled migration

New South Wales is accepting applications from individuals seeking nominations for skilled migration to Australia with the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491).

The subclass 491 visa allows skilled individuals to apply for skilled migration to Australia and live, study and work in a designated regional area in the country for five years.

New South Wales adopted a selection-based invitation process to recruit skilled migrants, as it would ensure that nominated skilled migrants are aligned to the needs of the State economy.

Nomination applications submitted by skilled migrants will be reviewed by the New South Wales government, after which the State will invite selected applicants to apply for Australian skilled migration.

For the subclass 491 visa, candidates must lodge their nomination applications during the submission window – August, October, January, and March for the 2021-22 financial year.

Applicants must also meet all criteria in one of three nomination streams to be eligible for a State nomination.

Stream 1 – Living and working in Regional NSW

Eligibility requirements for this stream include:

  • Holding a valid skills assessment for an occupation on the Stream 1 combined occupations list;
  • Living and working in the nominated (or closely related) occupation in a designated regional area of New South Wales for a minimum of 20 hours per week for the past twelve months.

Stream 2 – Recently completed study in Regional NSW

Eligibility requirements for this stream include:

  • Holding a valid skills assessment for an occupation on the region’s eligible occupations list;
  • Having completed study in the past 24 months where:
    • Applicants are eligible to claim points for ‘study in regional Australia’ on the basis of studying in Regional NSW; and
    • Applicants have their qualifications assessed by relevant authorities as closely related to their nominated occupation.

Stream 3 – Skilled in an occupation required in Regional NSW

Eligibility requirements for this stream include:

  • Holding a valid skills assessment for an occupation on the region’s eligible occupations list.

Nomination process

To be nominated by New South Wales for skilled migration with the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491), applicants must:

  1. Ensure they are eligible for the subclass 491 visa.
  2. Complete an Expression of Interest in SkillSelect for an eligible occupation in the preferred region in New South Wales.
  3. Submit a Registration of Interest (ROI) during the submission window.
  4. Be invited by New South Wales to apply for skilled migration to Australia.
  5. Apply to the preferred region’s Regional Development Australia (RDA) office within 14 days of being invited by New South Wales.
  6. Provide evidence with the application for all claims made on the ROI and EOI submissions.

Applicants can only submit one ROI during a submission window, with New South Wales selecting and inviting candidates for up to seven days of the window closing.

Applicants must also beware that ROIs cannot be revised or withdrawn after submissions, and successfully submitting an ROI will not guarantee a nomination from New South Wales.