One of the most attractive pathways to Permanent Residency in Australia is through General Skilled Migration. These visas do not require a sponsorship, but only evidence of existing qualifications, skills and experience in areas that are in high demand. There are currently 03 visa subclasses included in the General Skilled Migration stream:
- Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189): The 189 is called independent visa because it does not require a Sponsor nor a nomination by a State or Territory. It is a highly competitive visa and it is currently only open to occupations listed on the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List.
- Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190): The 190 is a points-based permanent visa that requires the migrant to be nominated by a State or Territory. It is also a highly competitive visa and it requires at least 65 points.
- Skilled Regional (Provisional) Visa (subclass 491): The 491 is a points-based provisional visa that allows migrants to apply for permanent residency after 3 years from the time the visa is granted. It requires migrants to live, study and work in designated regional areas for a period of 5 years.
Every year the Australian government announces the Migration Program planning levels, which indicate the number of visas open for that year. After that, each state opens their own skilled migration program allowing migrants to express their interest to be nominated for a 491 or 190 visa.
The state of NSW has recently opened their Skilled Migration Program for the financial year of 2021/2022 and it has included a really broad list of occupations contemplated. It is an outstanding opportunity for skilled migrants that reside in NSW, specially those in regional areas.
Who can apply for a skilled migration visa?
To see if your occupation is included in the NSW Skilled Migration Program you can refer to the Skilled Occupation Lists. The 491 subclass has 3 different streams, with different qualifying occupations:
- Stream 1: contemplates migrants who have been living and working in regional NSW in their nominated occupation for a period of 12 months. Some exceptions might be considered for candidates that have been living and working in regional NSW in their nominated occupation for a minimum period of 3 months.
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Occupations included under Stream 1
- Corporate Services Manager
- Finance Manager
- Human Resource Manager
- Research and Development Manager
- Construction Project Manager
- Engineering Manager
- Production Manager (Manufacturing)
- Child Care Centre Manager
- Nursing Clinical Director
- Welfare Centre Manager
- Health and Welfare Services Managers nec
- ICT Project Manager
- Environmental Manager
- Cafe or Restaurant Manager
- Hotel or Motel Manager
- Accountant (General)
- External Auditor
- Internal Auditor
- Marketing Specialist
- Public Relations Professional
- Architect
- Landscape Architect
- Graphic Designer
- Chemical Engineer
- Materials Engineer
- Civil Engineer
- Geotechnical Engineer
- Quantity Surveyor
- Structural Engineer
- Transport Engineer
- Electrical Engineer
- Electronics Engineer
- Industrial Engineer
- Mechanical Engineer
- Production or Plant Engineer
- Mining Engineer (Excluding Petroleum)
- Aeronautical Engineer
- Agricultural Engineer
- Biomedical Engineer
- Engineering Technologist
- Environmental Engineer
- Engineering Professionals nec
- Agricultural Consultant
- Agricultural Scientist
- Chemist
- Food Technologist
- Environmental Consultant
- Marine Biologist
- Microbiologist
- Zoologist
- Medical Laboratory Scientist
- Veterinarian
- Natural and Physical Science Professionals nec
- Early Childhood Teacher
- Secondary School Teacher
- Special Needs Teacher
- Medical Diagnostic Radiographer
- Medical Radiation Therapist
- Sonographer
- Occupational Health and Safety Adviser
- Optometrist
- Retail Pharmacist
- Chiropractor
- Occupational Therapist
- Physiotherapist
- Podiatrist
- Emergency Medicine Specialist
- Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
- Ophthalmologist
- Pathologist
- Diagnostic and Interventional Radiologist
- Medical Practitioners nec
- Midwife
- Nurse Manager
- Nurse Practitioner
- Registered Nurse (Aged Care)
- Registered Nurse (Child and Family Health)
- Registered Nurse (Community Health)
- Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency)
- Registered Nurse (Disability and Rehabilitation)
- Registered Nurse (Medical)
- Registered Nurse (Medical Practice)
- Registered Nurse (Mental Health)
- Registered Nurse (Perioperative)
- Registered Nurse (Surgical)
- Registered Nurse (Paediatric)
- Registered Nurses nec
- ICT business Analyst
- Systems Analyst
- Multimedia Specialist
- Web Developer
- Analyst Programmer
- Developer Programmer
- Software Engineer
- Software Tester
- Database Administrator
- ICT Security Specialist
- Systems Administrator
- Computer Network and Systems Engineer
- Network Administrator
- ICT Support Engineer
- ICT Systems Test Engineer
- Telecommunications Engineer
- Telecommunications Network Engineer
- Solicitor
- Clinical Psychologist
- Psychologists nec
- Social Worker
- Welfare Worker
- Medical Laboratory Technician
- Architectural Draftsperson
- Civil Engineering Draftsperson
- Civil Engineering Technician
- Electrical Engineering Draftsperson
- Electrical Engineering Technician
- Building and Engineering Technicians nec
- Telecommunications Network Planner
- Automotive Electrician
- Motor Mechanic (General)
- Diesel Motor Mechanic
- Motorcycle Mechanic
- Small Engine Mechanic
- Sheetmetal Trades Worker
- Metal Fabricator
- Welder (First Class)
- Fitter (General)
- Fitter and Turner
- Fitter-Welder
- Metal Machinist (First Class)
- Metal Fitters and Machinists nec
- Locksmith
- Panelbeater
- Bricklayer
- Stonemason
- Carpenter and Joiner
- Carpenter
- Joiner
- Glazier
- Fibrous Plasterer
- Wall and Floor Tiler
- Plumber (General)
- Drainer
- Gasfitter
- Roof plumber
- Electrician (General)
- Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic
- Technical Cable Jointer
- Electronic Equipment Trades Worker
- Electronic Instrument Trades Worker (General)
- Baker
- Pastrycook
- Butcher or Smallgoods Maker
- Chef
- Cook
- Horse Trainer
- Hairdresser
- Cabinetmaker
- Enrolled Nurse
- Community Worker
- Program or Project Administrator
- Stream 2: contemplates migrants that have obtained their qualification while living in, and studying at a campus in a designated regional area.
- Stream 3: contemplates all skilled migrants that are willing to move and work in a regional area, including those who are living and working in Sydney or another Australian state or territory. It does not contemplate migrants who are overseas.
Occupations included in Stream 2 and 3 in the Northern Rivers region
- Research and Development Manager
- Production Manager (Manufacturing)
- ICT Project Manager
- Cafe or Restaurant Manager
- Graphic Designer
- Mechanical Engineer
- Production or Plant Engineer
- Veterinarian
- Retail Pharmacist
- Registered Nurse (Aged Care)
- Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency)
- Registered Nurse (Medical)
- Registered Nurses nec
- Motor Mechanic (General)
- Diesel Motor Mechanic
- Metal Fabricator
- Welder (First Class)
- Baker
- Pastrycook
- Butcher or Smallgoods Maker
- Chef
- Cook
- Hairdresser
- Enrolled Nurse
- Program or Project Administrator
The process
After checking your eligibility, the first step is to complete a skills assessment in your occupation. After that, you will need to lodge an Expression of Interest in Skills Select. Finally, you register your interest to be nominated by NSW, you can do that at any time if you are apply for an 190. However, if you are applying for a 491 you will only be able to register your interest during specific times determined by the State, the so-called “windows”. The windows for submissions are August, October, February and March.
Only after you receive an invitation from NSW you can lodge a visa application.
How we can help
Turnstone Migration services can assist you throughout the entire process of applying for a skilled migration visa, including:
- Eligibility Assessment
- Skills Assessment Application
- Expression of Interest in SkillSelect
- Registration of interest in NSW nomination
- Visa Application after invitation
If you are interested in applying for a skilled migration visa, book a consult with our Immigration Lawyer and start your journey towards Permanent Residency.
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