NSW State Nomination

NSW State Nomination – (Subclass 190 and 491)

NSW Migration has recently opened for the new financial year. You require NSW State Nomination in order to apply for the State Nominated (Subclass 190) or Regional Nominated Visa (Subclass 491) in NSW.

Today we are going to discuss:

– The requirements for NSW State Nomination

– What occupations can apply for NSW State Nomination

– Where to find more information on NSW State Migration

– How to apply for NSW State Nomination.

What is the main difference between the 190 and 491?

The State/Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190) is a permanent visa to Australia. The Skilled Regional (491 visa) is a 5 year temporary visa that converts to PR after as few as 3 years.

• On the 190 visa, you can live anywhere in NSW (including Sydney)
• Whereas, on the 491, you cannot live in Sydney (you can only live in a regional area – everywhere in NSW except Sydney)

Now the 190 is a permanent visa and allows you to live anywhere. So, it generally speaking is a more desirable visa. However, it is a lot more competitive to receive. Please note, there is nothing stopping you from requesting an invitation for both the 190 and 491 visa. This would give you the best possible chances.

Now we have separate videos on the process of applying for a 190 or 491 visas, so please refer to that for more detail. This video will focus specifically on NSW State Nomination Requirements.

State/Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190):

The State Nominated is a permanent visa to Australia. You can live anywhere in NSW (including Sydney). Before going any further, I want to stress all of this information is on the NSW Migration Website (Link Below).

What occupations are eligible for this?

• In NSW to be invited for the 190, you must pass a skill assessment in a target sector. Fortunately, NSW Target sectors are huge. Check out the link here – this visa. (Go to website – https://www.nsw.gov.au/topics/visas-and-migration/skilled-visas/nsw-skilled-occupation-lists – You can see there are a lot of professional, managers, trades, health etc…

What are the requirements:

In order to be eligible for consideration:

• have submitted an EOI in SkillSelect
• be under 45 years of age
• have at least Competent English
• have a valid Skills Assessment in a NSW target sector
• have achieved at least 65 points
• be either:
  • currently employed in NSW where your employment meets the standard for claiming skilled employment in your nominated occupation, or
  • have genuinely resided in NSW for a minimum period of three months

How to apply:

In order to submit your expression of interest to receive NSW nomination for the Skilled Nominated visa you must:

1. Complete an EOI in SkillSelect (VIDEO) – ON THE EOI YOU MUST INDICATE THAT YOU ARE WILLING TO BE SPONSORED BY NSW
2. Be invited to apply during an invitation round – Then you must wait to be invited.
3. Apply for NSW nomination within 14 days

NSW will send out invitations each invitation round. So, there is no specific time frame for when or if you will receive an invitation. Generally speaking, NSW will select the applicants with the highest points in their specific occupation. Although I imagine that NSW also puts greater emphasis on applicants living and working in the state.

Skilled Regional (Subclass 491):

The Skilled Regional Visa (Subclass 491) is a 5 year open work visa that converts into PR after as little as 3 years. You can only live in a regional area (not in Sydney) on this visa. This visa is generally easier to be invited to apply for, in comparison to the 190.

What occupations are eligible for this?

Unlike the 190, there are a few different streams of eligibility for the 491 visa:

Stream 1 — I am living and working in Regional NSW

• hold a valid skills assessment for an occupation that appears on the Stream 1 Combined Occupation List.
• have been living in a designated regional area of NSW for at least the previous twelve months; and
• have been working in your nominated occupation, or a closely related occupation, in a designated regional area of NSW, for at least the previous twelve months

Stream 2 — I have recently completed study in Regional NSW

• hold a valid skills assessment for an occupation that appears on your nominated region’s occupation list
• have completed study or education with an education provider, where:
  • the study was completed within the previous 24 months
  • the education provider is in a designated regional area in NSW
  • the study meets the Australian study requirement (as determined by Home Affairs); and
  • the qualification obtained from this study was assessed as closely related to your nominated occupation by the relevant assessing authority; and
• have lived in a designated regional area of NSW while completing your study

Stream 3 — I am skilled in an occupation required in Regional NSW

• hold a valid skills assessment for an occupation that appears on your nominated region’s occupation list
• Be currently residing in an Australian state or territory (So you can technically apply from anywhere in Australia)

So with Stream 1, you have a lot bigger selection of occupations. With Stream 2 or 3, you are limited to the specific occupations on the Regions occupation list (which is a lot more limited).

What are the requirements:

In order to be eligible for consideration:

• have submitted an EOI in SkillSelect
• be under 45 years of age
• have at least Competent English
• have a valid Skills Assessment in a relevant occuption
• have achieved at least 65 points
• Meet the stream requirements

Nomination process

NSW nomination for the Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491) is now by invitation only. Below are the steps to apply for NSW nomination:

1. Complete an EOI in SkillSelect
2. Register your interest during a submission window
3. Be invited to apply
4. Apply to an RDA office where your skills are required within 14 days

How to apply:

In order to submit your expression of interest to receive NSW nomination for the Skilled Nominated visa you must:

1. Complete an EOI in SkillSelect (VIDEO) – ON THE EOI YOU MUST INDICATE THAT YOU ARE WILLING TO BE SPONSORED BY NSW AND WILLING TO LIVE IN A REGIONAL AREA.

1. Register your interest during a submission window Be invited to apply during an invitation round – Then you must wait to be invited.
2. Apply for NSW/RDA nomination within 14 days

So the application is exactly the same, except for the 491, you must lodge a separate registration of interest after you have lodged the EOI. This is a fairly simple process.

NSW will select and invite candidates to apply to a Regional Development Australia (RDA) office up to seven days of a submission window closing. Submission windows for the 2021-22 financial year are the months of August, October, January, and March.