State Nominated Visas
Overview
State nomination allows the state government of Australia to nominate highly skilled migrants who can meet its skill requirements. This nomination can provide additional points for your subclass 190 or subclass 491 visa application, enabling you to obtain a skilled migration visa from the Australian government. Your residency status will depend on the visa subclass for which you received the nomination. Typically, you will be required to demonstrate a willingness to live and work in the state, as well as the necessary skilled experience. To receive state nomination, you must submit an Expression of Interest through the state government’s website.
What you need to have?
To be eligible for state nomination, you must meet the following requirements:
- Meet all visa requirements as outlined by the Department of Home Affairs
- Obtain a positive skills assessment in your nominated occupation
- Ensure that your nominated occupation is listed on the state's skilled visa occupation list
- Meet the skilled age requirement
- Score a minimum of 65 points
- Provide proof of required English proficiency
- Submit your qualification documents
- Include work reference letters and other related documents (if applicable)
- Provide proof of residency
- Meet the points claim roof
- Submit a commitment letter (if required)
- Meet the health and character requirements.
How to obtain it?
- Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through Skill Select
- Receive an invitation to apply during an invitation round
- Gather all required documents
- Apply for the skilled visa within the specified period mentioned in your state nomination email
- Visa outcome
To receive state nomination, you must submit an Expression of Interest to both the state and federal governments. While the state government doesn’t charge for submitting an expression of interest to them, you must pay the federal government for submitting an EOI through SkillSelect. Applicants are ranked by a point score system based on their work experience, qualifications, and English proficiency. Those with higher scores have a better chance of receiving an invitation. It’s important to note that an EOI is not a visa application, and it can take up to 12 weeks for the state government to grant a state nomination.