The State of New South Wales has announced that it will be reopening its Skilled Migration program shortly for the 2022-2023 financial year. Similar to new program settings in Victoria, eligibility criteria has been eased to make more candidates eligible.
NSW Occupation Lists
NSW Skills Lists for both the Skilled Nominated (Permanent) visa (subclass 190) and Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) are currently under construction and will be announced as soon as possible.
Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)
NSW nomination for the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) remains by invitation only. Key changes to NSW nomination this financial year include:
Your SkillSelect EOI
Your SkillSelect EOI must be for the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) and NSW only. EOIs selecting additional visa subclasses and/or other Australian states or territories will be excluded from consideration. Note: When your SkillSelect EOI was created or amended in no way affects your likelihood of being invited to apply for NSW nomination.
Residency Requirement
To be eligible for NSW you must be either currently residing in NSW or offshore, and have done so for a minimum period of six months.
Offshore Candidates
Offshore candidates will be considered in all occupations within unit groups identified on the NSW Skilled Nominated Skills List that are eligible for the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190). This means there are no excluded unit groups this financial year.
Minimum Experience and Scores
Each unit group will have a minimum number of years of skilled work experience and minimum point score to be eligible for NSW nomination. These minimum numbers will be identified on the NSW Skilled Nominated Skills List.
Minimum numbers are informed by the number of places available in each unit group for the financial year and the number of EOIs submitted in SkillSelect. If you score below these numbers, unfortunately you are not eligible for NSW nomination.
All eligibility changes apply to all SkillSelect EOIs irrespective of when they were submitted. Eligibility criteria are subject to change without notice.
Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491)
There will be two pathways to NSW nomination for the Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491) this financial year. Eligibility criteria applies equally to both pathways.
Pathway 1
Apply directly to an RDA office in the region that you wish to live and work in for a minimum period of three years after being granted your visa by Home Affairs.
If you meet the minimum eligibility requirements for NSW nomination, you may apply to an RDA office at any time throughout the financial year until that region has exhausted its allocation of places.
Pathway 2
Be invited to apply by Investment NSW. Invitation rounds will occur ongoing throughout the financial year. There will be no set date. If you are invited by Investment NSW, you may live and work in any designated regional area of NSW for a minimum period of three years after being granted your visa by Home Affairs.
Key changes to eligibility criteria this financial year include:
Your SkillSelect EOI
Your SkillSelect EOI must be for the Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491) and NSW only. EOIs selecting additional visa subclasses and/or other Australian states or territories will be excluded from consideration.
Note: When your SkillSelect EOI was created or amended in no way affects your likelihood of being invited to apply for NSW nomination.
Residency Requirement
To be eligible for NSW you must be either currently residing in NSW or offshore, and have done so for a minimum period of three months.
Offshore Candidates
Offshore candidates are eligible in all occupations within unit groups identified on the NSW Skilled Work Regional Skills List that are eligible for the Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491). This means there are no excluded unit groups this financial year.
Minimum Experience and Scores
Each unit group will have a minimum number of years of skilled work experience and minimum point score to be eligible for NSW nomination. These minimum numbers will be identified on the NSW Skilled Work Regional Skills List.
Minimum numbers are informed by the number of places available in each unit group for the financial year and the number of EOIs submitted in SkillSelect. If you score below these numbers, unfortunately you are not eligible for NSW nomination, unless the below exemption applies.
Regional NSW Study Exemption
You are exempt from the minimum work experience requirement under Pathway 1 (only) if you have completed study in regional NSW within the most recent 24 months before applying to an RDA office; AND your study is related to your nominated (or closely related) occupation; AND your study in regional NSW makes you eligible to claim points for Study in regional Australia. Note: the minimum points requirement still applies.
All eligibility changes apply to all SkillSelect EOIs irrespective of when they were submitted. Eligibility criteria are subject to change without notice.
For more information please Contact Us or email elan@ryshermigration.com.au
Elan Rysher is a Registered Migration Agent and Qualified Student Counsellor. He is the main Writer for ImmiUpdates and the founder of Rysher Migration. Elan has many years of experience working in immigration, finance and health. Being a former migrant himself, Elan is passionate about helping others fulfil their Australian dream.
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