Skilled & Business Migration South Australia (SA) has announced that its 2023–24 General Skilled Migration (GSM) program is now open and it has published the SA Skilled Occupation List for state nomination in 2023-24. There are also over 290 occupations open to offshore skilled workers.
South Australia’s skilled migration program offers a range of nomination streams for skilled migrants to live and work in the state through the Subclass 190 Skilled (Nominated) visa and the Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa programs.
The subclass 190 visa is a state-nominated permanent visa for skilled migrants which allows you to live and work in South Australia.
The subclass 491 visa is a state-nominated provisional visa for skilled migrants that allows you to live and work in South Australia for up to five years. It provides a pathway to permanent residency after three years with the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa.
The application process has changed from previous years whereby applicants are now required to submit a Registration of Interest (ROI) with Skilled & Business Migration SA.
Introduction Of A Registration Of Interest (ROI)
South Australia has introduced a Registration of Interest (ROI) process to manage strong demand from applicants for a limited allocation of nomination places. This means that applicants must submit a ROI and be invited to apply for state nomination by South Australia. Submitting a ROI for SA nomination is free of charge. Applicants cannot apply for SA state nomination directly.
Under this invitation process, Skilled & Business Migration SA is prioritising the retention of South Australia’s international graduates and temporary visa holders.
Invitations are also being prioritised for experienced overseas workers with skills in high-demand in South Australia, such as in Trades and Construction, Defence, Health, Education, Natural and Physical Science and Social and Welfare Professionals.
South Australia is also seeking highly skilled overseas workers who can make a strong contribution to the state’s fast-growing industries and projects of national priority. This includes applicants with:
- experience working in the defence industry; and/or
- highly specialised skills in the digital and critical technologies sectors.
In this article, we explain how the ROI system works, and provide an outline of how you may qualify for nomination in South Australia.
How Can You Qualify For Nomination In South Australia?
Submit An Expression Of Interest
As part of the General Skilled Migration (GSM) visa program, the subclass 190 and 491 visas are invitation-based, which requires you to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) with the Department of Home Affairs and selecting South Australia as your preferred state as a first step in expressing your interest in applying for a subclass 190 or 491 visa.
Register Your Interest With Skilled & Business Migration South Australia
After creating your EOI, you can register your interest in nomination from the South Australian Government via the Skilled and Business Migration portal.
Apply For SA Nomination To Skilled & Business Migration South Australia
Only upon receipt of an invitation from Skilled & Business Migration SA can you then proceed to apply for nomination in South Australia.
Apply For A Sucblass 190 Or 491 Visa To Immigration
If your application for nomination is successful, you can then proceed to apply to the Department for a subclass 190 or 491 visa itself.
State nomination and your application for a visa are two separate processes. The South Australian Government assesses your application for state nomination and the Department of Home Affairs assesses your visa application. Each stage of the application process is subject to its own requirements.
And so to qualify for South Australian state nomination, you must meet:
- nomination requirements that apply to the nomination stream for which you are applying;
- have the required skills to be nominated in an occupation that is included on South Australia’s Skilled Occupation List;
- SA state-specific requirements that apply to your nominated occupation; and
- Department of Home Affairs visa requirements.
Points Test
The subclass 190 and 491 visas are also points-based, which means that you must achieve at least 65 points in the Migration Points Test to lodge an EOI. The points test is based on several attributes including your age, qualifications and employment experience. Each element is allocated a certain number of points, based on what are deemed to be the most desirable attributes for applicants to possess as part of the GSM visa program. For example, more advanced English language skills will attain a higher number of points than achieving just the baseline Competent English level, which is one of the eligibility requirements to qualify for a Subclass 190 or 491 visa (and which grants nil points in the points test). Achieving Proficient or Superior English in a prescribed English language points test within three years of receiving an invitation to apply for the Subclass 190 or 491 visa will grant you an additional 10 or 20 points, respectively.
One of the benefits of applying for a Subclass 190 or 491 visa is that it grants additional points in the points test on account of nomination approval by a State or Territory Government.
A subclass 190 nomination from South Australia grants you five additional points to help you meet the Department of Home Affairs skilled visa points test pass mark of 65 points.
Whereas a subclass 491 nomination from South Australia provides you with 15 additional points.
This allows you to build up your overall points score quicker to reach the minimum 65 points needed to lodge an EOI. Sometimes, a small number of points as low as 5 can be the difference between being able to submit an EOI and not having enough points to do so. Every little bit helps.
If you are an international graduate of South Australia, highly skilled and talented or are currently living and working in Outer Regional South Australia, you may be eligible for certain concessions and waivers if you apply for nomination for a subclass 190 or 491 visa in South Australia.
To determine whether Skilled & Business Migration SA will sponsor an applicant for a subclass 190 visa, they will consider their:
- length of employment;
- length of residency in SA; and
- the industry in which the applicant is working.
The subclass 190 visa grants you immediate permanent residency in Australia.
You may be eligible to apply for permanent residency through the Subclass 191 visa after you have lived in South Australia for at least three years as a Subclass 491 visa holder.
To Summarise … The Steps To Apply For Skilled Migration Visa Nomination In South Australia
Step 1 – Assess Your Eligibility For A Subclass 190 Or 491 Visa Based On Immigration Requirements
Key immigration criteria to qualify for a subclass 190 or 491 visa include that you must:
- not yet have turned 45 years of age;
- have a valid and positive skills assessment for an occupation on the prescribed skilled occupation list;
- demonstrate that you have at least ‘Competent’ English language proficiency; and
- score at least 65 points on the Department of Home Affairs Migration Points Test.
Step 2 – Assess Your Eligibility For A Subclass 190 or 491 Nomination Based On South Australia Requirements
There are different nomination streams and each has different requirements that must be met (these are discussed below in this article). These state nomination requirements are in addition to Immigration requirements.
Step 3 – Register An Expression Of Interest (EOI) With The Department Of Home Affairs Through SkillSelect
The EOI is not a visa or nomination application and is only an indication that you would like to be considered for a skilled visa. To be nominated by Skilled & Business Migration SA, you must select South Australia as your state of interest in your EOI.
Step 4 – Register Your Interest With Skilled & Business Migration South Australia
Registration Of Interest (ROI)
Invitations to apply for South Australian nomination are to be issued on an ongoing basis throughout 2023-24.
Please note that state nomination is a competitive process. Meeting the eligibility guidelines outlined below in this article does not guarantee that your Registration of Interest (ROI) will be invited to apply for nomination.
The Australian Government provides South Australia with a quota of nomination places each year, limiting the number of applicants that can be nominated. South Australia will consider a range of factors when determining who is invited to apply for nomination to ensure applicants are suitably prioritised. These factors depend on the stream under which you apply (these are discussed further below in this article under each nomination stream).
There is a $nil fee to lodge a ROI application with Skilled & Business Migration SA.
Step 5 – Be Invited To Apply For Nomination By Skilled & Business Migration SA
Once you have received an invitation from Skilled & Business Migration SA to apply for state nomination, you can then proceed to apply. Have all of your information and documents as required for your state nomination application ready in preparation for lodgement of your application with Skilled & Business Migration SA.
Step 6 – Apply For Nomination With Skilled & Business Migration South Australia
Once you have compiled all of the required supporting documents for your selected nomination stream, you can then apply for nomination in South Australia.
The fee to lodge a nomination application with Skilled & Business Migration SA is $359 (note that a credit card and processing surcharge of 0.35% is charged in addition to this and GST is payable by all onshore applicants).
Step 6 – Apply For A Subclass 190 Or 491 Visa With The Department Of Home Affairs
If your nomination application is approved, you will be notified by Skilled & Business Migration SA.
You will then receive an invitation to apply for the visa from the Department of Home Affairs. You must apply for the relevant visa within 60 days of receiving the invitation.
How Can You Qualify For State Nomination In South Australia?
The following nomination streams are available to skilled migrants who are seeking to live and work in South Australia.
South Australian Graduates
International graduates who have studied in South Australia are eligible for state nomination as a skilled migrant faster than other candidates. High Performing Graduates may also benefit from certain concessions or waivers under this stream.
Please also note that offshore international graduates will not be considered graduates; they must be residing onshore and working in SA to be eligible under this nomination stream.
Eligibility Requirements
To apply for state nomination in 2023-24 under the South Australian Graduates nomination stream, you must first submit an ROI via the Skilled & Business Migration portal, and then be invited to apply by South Australia.
To be eligible under the South Australian Graduates stream, you must meet the following criteria:
- your nominated occupation must be included under the South Australian Graduates stream on South Australia’s Skilled Occupation List (SOL):
- currently live and work in South Australia;
- be under 45 years of age at time of state nomination approval;
- have a valid and positive skills assessment for your nominated occupation;
- have at least Competent English, unless your nominated occupation requires registration or licensing to practice in South Australia (in which case you must meet the English requirement set by the registration or licensing authority to work in South Australia. Occupations with registration requirements include trades, education, and health professions). Also be aware that USA, UK, Ireland, Canada and NZ passport holders are not required to provide an English language test result;
- achieve at least 65 points in the Migration Points Test (including state nomination points);
- have completed your qualification at a South Australian education provider and meet the following study requirements:
- your course in South Australia must be CRICOS registered, with a minimum of 46 CRICOS weeks
- your study meets the minimum qualification level listed for your nominated occupation on the SOL
- a minimum of 50% of your qualification must have been completed in South Australia
- you must have resided in South Australia for at least one year during your studies
- have been residing in South Australia for at least the last 12 months;
- have been working for the last 6 months and be currently employed, in a full-time (at least 30 hours per week) job. Your job must be related to, and at the same skill level as, your nominated occupation;
- have undertaken your skilled work experience post-course completion.
Be aware that gaps in employment will be accepted as long as it is four weeks or less. If you change jobs and there is four weeks or less in the gap, then this will be considered as continuous employment. Additionally, self-employment will count, as will casual employment.
How Are ROIs Prioritised Under The South Australian Graduates Stream?
South Australia will consider a range of factors when determining who is invited to apply for nomination to ensure graduates are suitably prioritised. These factors include:
- holding a temporary visa which will expire before 31 August 2024;
- turning 45 years of age before 31 August 2024;
- period of skilled employment experience in South Australia;
- types of skilled employment in South Australia. Applicants working in South Australia in a priority sector, such as Health and Medical Sciences, Trades and Construction, Early Childhood and Teaching, Digital Technology, Food and Agribusiness, Creative Industries, Tourism and Hospitality will be prioritised.
Working In South Australia
Skilled migrants who are currently living in South Australia and working in their nominated occupation may be eligible for state nomination through this stream. Applicants may include temporary visa holders, international graduates, self-employed applicants and subcontractors.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible under the Working in South Australia stream, you must meet the following criteria:
- your nominated occupation must be included under the Working in South Australia stream on South Australia’s Skilled Occupation List (SOL):
- currently live and work in South Australia;
- be under 45 years of age at time of state nomination approval;
- have a valid and positive skills assessment for your nominated occupation;
- have at least Competent English, unless your nominated occupation requires registration or licensing to practice in South Australia (in which case you must meet the English requirement set by the registration or licensing authority to work in South Australia. Occupations with registration requirements include trades, education, and health professions). Also be aware that USA, UK, Ireland, Canada and NZ passport holders are not required to provide an English language test result;
- achieve at least 65 points in the Migration Points Test (including state nomination points);
- have been residing in South Australia for at least the last 12 months;
- have been working for the last 6 months and be currently employed, in a full-time (at least 30 hours per week) job. Your job must be related to, and at the same skill level as, your nominated occupation;
- have undertaken your skilled work experience post-course completion.
Be aware that gaps in employment will be accepted as long as it is four weeks or less. If you change jobs and there is four weeks or less in the gap, then this will be considered as continuous employment. Additionally, self-employment will count, as will casual employment.
How Are ROIs Prioritised Under The Working In South Australia Stream?
South Australia will consider a range of factors when determining who is invited to apply for nomination to ensure applicants are suitably prioritised. These factors include:
- holding a temporary visa which will expire before 31 August 2024;
- turning 45 years of age before 31 August 2024;
- period of skilled employment experience in South Australia;
- types of skilled employment in South Australia. Applicants working in South Australia in a priority sector, such as Health and Medical Sciences, Trades and Construction, Early Childhood and Teaching, Digital Technology, Food and Agribusiness, Creative Industries, Tourism and Hospitality and Resources Energy will be prioritised.
Highly Skilled And Talented
Highly skilled migrants who can contribute their demonstrated talent and/or support innovation in South Australia can register their interest in state nomination under this pathway. Applicants may include skilled migrants living in South Australia or in other Australian states and territories, as well as offshore applicants.
The Highly Skilled and Talented stream also allows the South Australian Government to nominate applicants who can contribute to the state’s critical priority sectors. Successful applicants can demonstrate how they bring new ideas, skills and innovation to South Australia.
Priority Sectors
Priority will be given if your employer is a business in one of South Australia’s priority industry sectors or is an integral part of the supply chain supporting these priority sectors. These sectors include:
- Hi-Tech/Digital
- Green Energy/Hydrogen
- Defence, Space and Cyber Security
- Advanced Manufacturing
- Agribusiness
- Creative Industries
- Health and Life Sciences
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible under the Highly Skilled and Talented stream, you must meet the following criteria:
- currently live and work in South Australia, interstate or overseas;
- be under 45 years of age at time of state nomination approval;
- have a valid and positive skills assessment for your nominated occupation;
- have at least Competent English. Be aware that USA, UK, Ireland, Canada and NZ passport holders are not required to provide an English language test result;
- achieve at least 65 points in the Migration Points Test (including state nomination points);
- If you are working or have been offered a position in South Australia, your employer must:
- have been an existing business for at least 12 months. Your employer must have had a premise located and operating in South Australia for the past 12 months;
- have annual turnover of at least $4 million (please note that start-up companies, businesses that operate in outer regional South Australia and businesses that support the Defence sector may be exempt from the annual turnover requirement);
- be a business of good standing and there must be no adverse information about the business
Please note that additional eligibility requirements apply to applicants with Hi-Tech or Digital industry experience as well as to applicants with Defence or Space industry experience.
Offshore
Skilled migrants who are currently living offshore and have submitted an Expression of Interest (EOI) with Immigration may be selected by South Australia and invited to apply for state nomination.
Ensure that you select South Australia as your first preferred State or Territory to move to in Australia.
Once you submit your EOI, South Australia can view your application and may decide to invite you to apply for state nomination for a:
- Subclass 190 Skilled (Nominated) visa; or
- Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa.
Applicants are assessed on merit by the following factors, within their nominated occupation:
- Years and field of skilled employment;
- English language ability; and
- EOI points.
If you are selected to apply for South Australian nomination, you will have 14 days to submit your application. Your application must demonstrate that you were eligible for the claims entered in your SkillSelect EOI at the time of invitation.
If you are an applicant in a priority nominated occupation, you may be selected to apply for a Subclass 190 visa, which will allow you to live and work in Australia permanently.
Alternative Pathway
If you are a highly skilled migrant currently living offshore who can contribute your demonstrated talent and/or support innovation in South Australia, you can also lodge a ROI in SA state nomination through the Highly Skilled and Talented stream.
Update On Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP)
Skilled & Business Migration SA has also provided an update on its 2023–24 Business Innovation and Investment Program. SA is not open to applications for state nomination for the Subclass 188 Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) (BIIP) visa.
Applicants who already hold a Subclass 188 provisional visa can apply for nomination for the extension stream, or for the Subclass 888 BIIP visa in 2023–24.
Get More Information
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa
For further information on the subclass 491 visa, please see the following articles:
Skilled (Nominated) Visa
Subclass 190 State Sponsorship Visa
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Contact us to book a no-obligation consultation to find out more about applying for a state sponsored skilled visa, including in the state of South Australia.
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In conclusion, we note that the above discussion provides an overview of South Australia’s state sponsored skilled migration program. We also provide links to further information so that you can learn more about the subclass 190 and 491 state sponsored visa programs in South Australia.
Australia’s migration laws are complex, and each case is different. We recommend that you seek professional advice if you are seeking to apply for a state sponsored skilled visa, including in the state of South Australia, as being fully informed will give you the best chance of achieving a successful outcome on your case. A migration professional can help you to do this.
For up-to-date advice on South Australia’s state sponsored skilled migration program, book your confidential consultation with a migration agent in Adelaide. PAX Migration Australia is a leading immigration advice service based in Adelaide.
Sources/Links
Skilled & Business Migration South Australia – Skilled Migrants – Nomination Options
Skilled & Business Migration South Australia – Skilled Migrants – Nomination Options – Offshore
