Australian Visa Options For Small Engine Mechanic

In this article, the latest in our series which examines the Australian visa options that are available for selected occupations, we take a look at small engine mechanics migration to Australia. We examine how this occupation is classified and defined in Australia for migration purposes and the potential options for a skilled visa for small engine mechanics in Australia, including permanent residency pathways for this occupation.

But before we discuss the potential visa options that are available to migrate to Australia as a small engine mechanic, let us first introduce you to some of the key elements that must be considered when assessing your eligibility for a skilled visa.

Important Factors To Consider When Applying For A Skilled Visa

Skilled Occupation List

A key component in determining your eligibility for a skilled visa to Australia is based on whether your occupation is included on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) for the relevant skilled visa being considered. It is important to be aware that each skilled visa subclass is subject to a specified SOL, which is designed to respond to skill shortages in various industries and regions across Australia. As labour markets change, so too do the relevant SOLs to reflect pertaining market conditions. It is therefore vital if you are seeking to apply for a skilled visa, that you apply the correct and most up-to-date SOL in assessing your eligibility for a skilled visa.

Nominating A Small Engine Mechanic On The Skilled Occupation List

There are different SOLs which apply to each skilled visa subclass. For example, the Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa, which is a temporary employer sponsored visa, is subject to a Short‑term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL), a Medium and Long‑term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) and a Regional Occupation List (ROL). The occupation of small engine mechanic is included on the MLTSSL for the subclass 482 visa, and so may be nominated for a TSS visa (under the medium-term stream).

The occupation of small engine mechanic is also included on the MLTSSL for the following visa subclasses:

• Subclass 407 Training visa (Occupational Training to Enhance Skills nomination stream);
• Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa (Graduate Work stream);
• Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa (Temporary Residence Transition stream and Direct Entry stream);
• Subclass 189 Skilled (Independent) visa (Points-tested stream);
• Subclass 190 Skilled (Nominated) visa;
• Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (State Sponsored and Family Sponsored); and
• Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (SESR) (Provisional) visa (Employer Sponsored stream).

Permanent Residency Pathways For A Small Engine Mechanic To Migrate To Australia On The Skilled Occupation List

If you apply for a subclass 407 or 485 visa based on the MLTSSL as outlined above, there is no direct pathway to a permanent residence visa. But please note that skilled employment experience that you gain whilst you hold a subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa may count towards the eligibility requirements for you to qualify for a skilled visa.

Under the subclass 186 visa, you may qualify for permanent residence under the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream after two years of holding a subclass 482 visa. Alternatively, if you apply under the Direct Entry stream, you will be granted immediate permanent residence in Australia.

The subclass 189 and 190 visas also grant you immediate permanent residence in Australia.

The subclass 491 and 494 visas provide a permanent residency pathway after three years for a small engine mechanic to migrate to Australia via the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa.

Nominating A Small Engine Mechanic Under A Labour Agreement

Alternatively, an employer may be able to apply for a labour agreement to enable them to nominate overseas workers in the occupation of small engine mechanic for the following skilled visa subclasses:

• Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa;
• Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (SESR) (Provisional) visa; and
• Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa.

Under a labour agreement, an employer can sponsor or nominate suitably skilled overseas workers for an employer sponsored skilled visa in accordance with the terms which have been negotiated with the Department of Home Affairs (the Department) in the executed labour agreement (different types of agreements allow for varying levels of flexibility).

To learn more about labour agreements, including the different types of labour agreements and the process for applying for one, please refer to our Labour Agreement Visa article.

Nominating a Small Engine Mechanic Under A Designated Area Migration Agreement

You may also be nominated by an employer in some States and Territories across Australia as a small engine mechanic migration Australia under a Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA). This is one type of labour agreement. Each DAMA covers a specified region and is subject to a skilled occupation list that is based on the needs of that particular region.

The benefit of a DAMA labour agreement is that it provides greater flexibility to employers in specified regions compared with the standard skilled visa programs (such as the TSS visa) as it enables them to negotiate terms for sponsoring workers that take into account their individual circumstances. They may also be able to secure certain concessions, such as work experience, English language and age requirements to the standard skilled visa criteria that would normally apply.

A small engine mechanic may be nominated by an employer under a DAMA in the following States and Territories:

• Northern Territory – under the Northern Territory Designated Area Migration Agreement;
• Queensland – under the Far North Queensland Designated Area Migration Agreement; and
• Queensland – under the Townsville North Queensland Destination Area Migration Agreement.

As the SOLs are subject to change at any time, an occupation that may be eligible for nomination today may not qualify in the future. And so if you are eligible for a skilled visa today, the best advice is to apply as early as possible, to avoid the chance that you may no longer qualify for the visa should your selected skilled occupation be removed from the SOL at a future date.

Skills Assessment

In order to be deemed as ‘suitably qualified’ for a nominated occupation under the skilled visa program, you need to demonstrate that you possess the minimum level of skills, qualifications and/or employment experience as prescribed by the migration provisions for the relevant skilled visa class for which you are applying.

This may require you to obtain a positive skills assessment for your nominated occupation (to be completed by a prescribed skill assessing body). Each occupation that can be nominated for a skilled visa has a specially prescribed skill assessing body which is tasked with conducting skill assessments for migration purposes. Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) is the prescribed skill assessing authority for the occupation of small engine mechanic. The role of the TRA is to assess whether prospective visa applicants have the requisite skills to competently perform their nominated occupation. Each skill assessing body sets its own minimum standards for the purposes of assessment and the process involved in conducting a skills assessment. Later in this article, we provide further information about the TRA requirements for conducting a migration skills assessment for the occupation of small engine mechanic.

The skills assessment must be within the accepted validity date (which is normally either three years from the date of issue, or on a date earlier if specified in the skills assessment).

You must also obtain the correct type of skills assessment. It is vital that you have a skills assessment that meets the requirements for the visa for which you are applying. For example, some assessing authorities offer a provisional skills assessment for recent graduates of Australian educational institutions who are applying for a Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa. A provisional skills assessment issued for this purpose is not a suitable skills assessment for a permanent residence skilled visa application, for example.

English Language

When applying for a skilled visa, you may also be required to complete a prescribed English language test and achieve a specified minimum test score (exemptions apply in certain cases). Be aware that English test results are valid for a limited period (depending on the class of visa being applied for and the level of English competency required).

Concessions

In some instances, such as in the case of a labour agreement, concessions to the standard requirements may apply. Concessions may be applied to work experience, English language and age requirements. Under the Far North Queensland Designated Area Migration Agreement and the Northern Territory Designated Area Migration Agreement, for example, an English language concession to the standard immigration requirements is available for the occupation of small engine mechanic (this is discussed further below in this article).

Concessions may also be available to the nominating employer. This applies to employers who are seeking to nominate a foreign worker as a small engine mechanic under the Far North Queensland Designated Area Migration Agreement. In this case, the sponsoring employer is able to access a concession to the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT).

Let us now examine how the occupation of small engine mechanic may be nominated for a skilled visa in Australia, including the options that are available to migrate to Australia as a small engine mechanic.

To start, let us define this occupation for the purposes of applying for a visa to Australia.

What Is A Small Engine Mechanic?

First up, what is a small engine mechanic for migration law purposes?

In Australia, occupations are classified under the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO).

Under this system, each nominated occupation is assigned a unique ANZSCO code plus a general description of the occupation, skill level, registration and/or licensing requirements and the tasks and duties that may be required to be performed in that occupation.

Now let us take a look at how the ANZSCO applies to small engine mechanics.

Small Engine Mechanics

Minor Group 321 – Automotive Electricians And Mechanics

As a starting point, we begin with an overview of the general Automotive Electricians And Mechanics ANZSCO category (referred to as minor group 321). This encapsulates all occupations contained in this grouping.

ANZSCO General Description: Automotive Electricians and Mechanics repair and maintain automotive electrical systems and motor vehicle and other internal combustion engines. Note that Mechanical Engineering Trades Workers are excluded from this minor group.

ANZSCO Skill level: Most occupations in this minor group have a level of skill commensurate with an AQF Certificate III including at least two years of on-the-job training, or AQF Certificate IV (ANZSCO Skill Level 3). At least three years of relevant experience may substitute for these formal qualifications. In some instances, relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification.

Tasks include: 

• diagnosing electrical and mechanical faults in motor vehicles and small engines
• dismantling engines and electrical systems
• repairing and replacing worn and defective parts
• installing electrical equipment and electronic components in motor vehicles
• testing and adjusting electrical and mechanical systems and parts after repair for proper performance
• performing scheduled maintenance on motor vehicles

The ANZSCO minor group 321 is next broken down into the following unit groups:

• Unit Group 3211 Automotive Electricians
• Unit Group 3212 Motor Mechanics

Set out below is the specific occupation that is contained within the ANZSCO minor group 321 which may be nominated for an Australian skilled visa:

Unit Group – 3212 Motor Mechanics

There is one occupation included in the Motor Mechanics ANZSCO group (which may be nominated), with the following elements:

ANZSCO General Description: Motor Mechanics repair, maintain and test motor vehicle and other internal combustion engines and related mechanical components. Note that Motor Vehicle Parts and Accessories Fitters are excluded from this unit group.

ANZSCO Skill level: Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with an AQF Certificate III including at least two years of on-the-job training, or AQF Certificate IV (ANZSCO Skill Level 3).

At least three years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualifications listed above. In some instances, relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification.

Registration or licensing may be required.

ANZSCO tasks include:

• detecting and diagnosing mechanical and electrical faults in engines and parts
• dismantling and removing engine assemblies, transmissions, steering mechanisms and other components, and checking parts
• repairing and replacing worn and defective parts and reassembling mechanical components, and referring to service manuals as needed
• performing scheduled maintenance services, such as oil changes, lubrications and engine tune-ups, to achieve smoother running of vehicles and ensure compliance with pollution regulations
• reassembling engines and parts after being repaired
• testing and adjusting mechanical parts after being repaired for proper performance
• diagnosing and testing parts with the assistance of computers
• may inspect vehicles and issue roadworthiness certificates or detail work required to achieve roadworthiness
• may respond to vehicle breakdown service calls

A description of the occupation in the Motor Mechanics ANZSCO group which can be nominated for a skilled visa is listed below.

Skill assessing authority: TRA

Skilled Occupation List: Medium and Long‑term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)

Skilled Visa options:

• Subclass 407 Training visa (Occupational Training To Enhance Skills stream)
• Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa (Graduate Work stream)*
• Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa (Medium Term Stream)
• Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (provisional) (State/Territory nominated or Family sponsored)
• Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (provisional) (Employer sponsored stream)
• Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa (Temporary Residence Transition stream or Direct Entry stream);
• Subclass 189 Skilled (Independent) visa (Points-tested stream)
• Subclass 190 Skilled (Nominated) visa

* Potential applicants may also qualify under the Post-Study Work Stream, which does not apply a Skilled Occupation List.

As mentioned earlier in this article, a  small engine mechanic ANZSCO 321214 can also be nominated by an employer under a labour agreement. This includes a DAMA, which enables employers in regional Australia to nominate overseas workers for a subclass 482, 494 or 186 visa (under the Labour Agreement stream).

Next up, we explain how the above skilled visa subclasses work, and we also provide links to further information so that you can learn more about how you can migrate to Australia as a small engine mechanic.

How Can A Small Engine Mechanic Qualify For A Skilled Visa In Australia?

One way to nominate a small engine mechanic ANZSCO 321214 for a skilled visa is based on the Skilled Occupation List and more specifically, the Medium and Long‑term Strategic Skills List.

Training Visa

The Subclass 407 Training visa is a sponsored visa which is designed to help you to improve your skills in your current occupation, area of tertiary study, or to participate in a professional development training program in Australia. The subclass 407 visa is not suitable for applicants whose sole purpose is to perform work in Australia but rather, to engage in workplace-based training.

One of the subclass 407 visa requirements is that you need to be sponsored by an Australian organisation or government agency (including a foreign government). You must also be nominated for the subclass 407 visa (unless your sponsor is a Commonwealth Government agency, in which case you will need to be invited in writing). You need to select from one of three nomination types, depending on the purpose or type of training which you seek to undertake. Each nomination type has specified requirements, one of which requires your occupation to be included on a subclass 407 training visa skilled occupation list.

The subclass 407 visa can be granted for a period of up to two years and permits unrestricted travel to and from Australia for the duration of the visa. You can also include certain members of your family unit as dependent visa applicants, allowing them to accompany you to Australia.

Nomination Type 2: Occupational Training To Enhance Skills

Nomination type 2 requires the occupational training to be a structured workplace-based training program which is designed to meet your training needs, as the nominee.

The occupation of small engine mechanic is included on the skilled occupation list for the subclass 407 training visa, which means that it may be nominated, provided that you have at least 12 months full-time employment experience as a small engine mechanic (in the two years immediately before lodgement of the application) to qualify under nomination type 2.

Please note that the subclass 407 visa is a temporary visa only with no direct pathway to permanent residency in Australia.

To learn more about the subclass 407 training visa program, please see our article on the subclass 407 Training Visa Requirements And Occupations.

Temporary Graduate Visa

The Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa can be a good option if you are an international student who has recently completed your studies in Australia. As a temporary graduate visa holder, you may continue your studies, or work to gain skilled employment experience to help you to potentially qualify for a skilled visa later down the track. Or you may simply wish to travel around Australia to experience what this country has to offer. It is this flexibility which makes the subclass 485 visa an attractive option for potential applicants.

To qualify for a subclass 485 visa, you will need to satisfy the eligibility requirements under one of two streams; either the Graduate Work stream or the Post-Study Work stream. You must also meet a set of common criteria which apply to all graduate visa applicants. Note that to be eligible under the Graduate Work stream, your qualification must be relevant to an occupation which is included on the skilled occupation list and you must obtain a skills assessment. The post study work stream does not apply a skilled occupation list. As the occupation of small engine mechanic is included on the skilled occupation list for the subclass 485 visa, you may be eligible for a temporary graduate visa under either stream.

An added benefit of applying under the post-study work stream is that you will be eligible for an additional stay period in Australia of an extra 1-2 years (subject to meeting prescribed criteria). Keep in mind that one of the requirements to qualify for a second graduate visa is to maintain continuing residence in a regional centre or other regional area or in a designated regional area for at least two years whilst holding your first Temporary Graduate Visa. This means that if you plan to apply for a second graduate visa, you will lose some flexibility in terms of where you can live whilst you hold your first temporary graduate visa.

Please also note that as a result of recent changes, the requirement to nominate an occupation from the skilled occupation list and obtain a skills assessment has been removed for Graduate Work stream applications lodged between 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023.

Additionally, the visa term under the graduate work stream has temporarily been increased from 18 months to 24 months for visas granted from 1 December 2021.

The term of a graduate visa under the post-study work stream is between two and four years, depending on your qualification.

Please note that the subclass 485 visa is a temporary visa only with no direct pathway to permanent residency in Australia. However, the skills and experience that you can gain by working in Australia as a temporary graduate visa holder may help you to later qualify for a skilled visa and migrate to Australia as a small engine mechanic. Indeed, this is a common pathway for international students to take to eventually qualify for permanent residency in Australia.

Eligible members of your family unit may also accompany you to Australia as secondary visa dependents.

Please see the following articles to learn more about the temporary graduate visa:

Temporary Graduate Visa Subclass 485

Graduate Visa 485 Application Tips

Graduate Visa For International Students

Difference Between Post Study Work Stream vs Graduate Work Stream

485 Visa Requirements And Qualification Criteria

Australian Graduate Visa Requirements And FAQs

Temporary Graduate Visa 485 Step By Step Guide

Employer Sponsored Visa

As a small engine mechanic, you may be eligible for a Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa under the medium-term stream. The TSS visa is an employer sponsored visa.

The term of the TSS visa is four years. With this visa, you can travel to and from Australia on an unrestricted basis for the visa period. Eligible family members may also accompany you to Australia as dependent visa holders, provided that they meet specified requirements including health and character criteria.

As a TSS visa holder, you must work only in your nominated occupation as a small engine mechanic. You may only work for your nominating employer (or for their associated entity). If your nominating employer is an Overseas Business Sponsor, you may only work for the nominating business.

How Can You Apply For A Subclass 482 TSS Visa As A Small Engine Mechanic?

To apply for a TSS visa, three applications must be lodged, namely:

• your sponsoring employer must apply for, and be approved as, a standard business sponsor;
• your sponsoring employer must apply to nominate you for the position; and
• you must separately apply for the visa.

All three applications can be submitted at the same time. If your sponsoring employer already has an approved sponsorship in place, only a nomination and visa application is required (sponsorships generally last for a period of five years).

Sponsorship

To be approved as a sponsor, your prospective sponsoring employer must be lawfully operating a business, and have a strong record of, or a demonstrated commitment to, employing local labour, and declare that it will not engage in discriminatory recruitment practices. There must also be no adverse information known to the Department about the business, or a person associated with the business (or it is reasonable to disregard this information).

Please refer to our article on How To Become A Sponsor for further information.

Nomination

Your sponsoring employer must satisfy a number of prescribed requirements for nomination approval, which include the following:

• the entity must be an approved sponsor;
• the entity must nominate an occupation from a list of eligible skilled occupations (the occupation of small engine mechanic is on the MLTSSL);
• there must be no adverse information known to the Department about the business or any person associated with the business;
• the position must be genuine and generally full-time employment;
• the entity must provide a written contract of employment for you as the proposed sponsored worker;
• you must be employed as a direct employee, or as an employee of an associated entity if the entity is an Australian business sponsor;
• meet requirements relating to your nominated salary and employment conditions;
• provide evidence of labour market testing where required (this relates to advertising in the local labour market); and
• not engage in discriminatory recruitment practices.

Visa

Medium-term Stream

The key requirements that you must meet for grant of the visa include that you must:

• demonstrate that you have at least two years of employment experience as a small engine mechanic or in a related field (this should generally be full-time employment completed in the last five years, although the Department may consider part-time employment); and
• meet an English language requirement (unless you qualify for an exemption).

The nomination application must also be approved.

If you apply for a subclass 482 TSS visa as a small engine mechanic ANZSCO 321214 under the medium-term stream, you may be eligible for permanent residency in Australia via the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa under the Temporary Residence Transition stream. To qualify for this small engine mechanic immigration to Australia PR visa, your nominating employer must have sponsored you to work full-time on your subclass 482 visa for at least two out of the last three years before nominating you for the subclass 186 visa.

Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa

As a small engine mechanic, you may be nominated by a State or Territory government agency, or sponsored by an eligible relative, for a Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa. The SESR visa is a points-tested visa.

The term of the subclass 491 visa is five years. As a subclass 491 visa holder (including any accompanying visa dependents), you must live, work and study only in a designated regional area of Australia.

Subclass 491 visa holders have unrestricted rights to travel to and from Australia during the visa term and are also entitled to enrol in Medicare, Australia’s public health system.

After you have held a subclass 491 visa for three years, you will be eligible for permanent residency as a small engine mechanic ANZSCO 321214 to migrate to Australia via a Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa, provided you meet specified requirements.

How Can You Apply For A Subclass 491 Visa As A Small Engine Mechanic?

To apply for a subclass 491 visa as a small engine mechanic, you must first submit an Expression Of Interest (EOI) with the Department. If you are seeking state sponsorship, you will need to apply separately to your selected State or Territory for nomination approval.

Alternatively, if you seek to apply for a family sponsored visa, your relative must be:

• usually resident in a designated regional area of Australia;
• aged at least 18 years of age;
• an Australian citizen or permanent residence visa holder, or an eligible New Zealand citizen;
• related to you as the primary visa applicant.

Eligible relatives are set out below:

• a parent;
• a child or step-child;
• a brother, sister, adoptive brother, adoptive sister, step-brother or step-sister;
• an aunt, uncle, adoptive aunt, adoptive uncle, step-aunt or step-uncle;
• a nephew, niece, adoptive nephew, adoptive niece, step-nephew or step-niece;
• a grandparent; or
• a first cousin.

Only upon receipt of an invitation can you then proceed to apply for the subclass 491 visa.

To lodge an EOI, you must achieve a minimum score of 65 points. Note this is a baseline only. If you are applying for State or Territory Government sponsorship, you will need to meet additional requirements as specified for the jurisdiction for which you are applying. For example, work experience and English language criteria which may be different to Immigration requirements.

You can use our Points Test Calculator to work out your points score.

The other key requirements to be satisfied are that you must:

• be aged under 45 years at time of invitation;
• have a positive skills assessment from TRA as a small engine mechanic at time of invitation;
• have a minimum level of Competent English at time of invitation; and
• declare a genuine intention to live, work and study in a designated regional area (this requirement also applies to visa dependents).

Nominations For A Subclass 491 Visa

You may be eligible to apply for nomination for a subclass 491 visa as a small engine mechanic in the following states and territories:

• Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
• Northern Territory (NT)
• Queensland (QLD)
• South Australia (SA)
• Victoria (VIC)
• Western Australia (WA)

Australian Capital Territory Nomination For A Subclass 491 Visa

You can apply for nomination in the ACT as a small engine mechanic if you are onshore or outside Australia.

You can register your interest in applying for ACT 491 nomination by completing a score-based Canberra Matrix where points can be claimed against specific criteria including skilled employment, English proficiency, formal qualifications, length of ACT residence/study, investment activity and close family ties, etc. Your Matrix will be ranked based on the number of points you have claimed. Those who rank high enough will be invited to apply for ACT nomination.

If you are nominated by the ACT to apply for a subclass 491 visa, you must live and work in Canberra for at least two years from visa grant, or if you are moving from overseas, from your date of arrival in Canberra.

Please note that there is a cap of 5 nomination places available each month for the occupation of small engine mechanic in the ACT (this single cap covers both the subclass 491 and 190 visa).

Northern Territory Nomination For A Subclass 491 Visa

You can apply for nomination in the NT as a small engine mechanic if you are onshore or outside Australia. However, you will not be eligible for NT nomination if:

• you or any of your migrating dependants are currently living interstate; or
• you or any of your migrating dependants are currently on a student visa and have not completed studies in an NT institution.

You must commit to living and working in the NT as a small engine mechanic for at least three years upon the grant of your visa.

To apply for nomination in the NT, you must lodge an EOI via SkillSelect and separately apply to the NT Government for nomination approval. Only upon receipt of an invitation can you then proceed to apply for a subclass 491 visa.

Queensland Nomination For A Subclass 491 Visa

You can apply for nomination in the QLD as a small engine mechanic under one of the following streams if you are onshore.

• Skilled workers living in Queensland; and
• Graduates of a Queensland university.

To be eligible for QLD state nomination for a subclass 491 visa, you must live and work within a prescribed postcode.

South Australian Nomination For A Subclass 491 Visa

You can apply for nomination in South Australia as a small engine mechanic under one of several streams, as follows:

• as a long-term resident of South Australia;
• if you currently live and work in South Australia;
• if you currently live and work in outer regional South Australia (you must have been working as a small engine mechanic (or in a related occupation) for the last six months in Greater Adelaide, or six months in regional South Australia; or
• if you qualify as a highly skilled and talented applicant (you may reside in South Australia, interstate or overseas to be eligible).

To apply under the highly skilled and talented applicant stream, you first need to submit a Registration Of Interest (ROI) with Skilled & Business Migration SA.

Offshore applicants are also eligible to apply for SA nomination in the occupation of small engine mechanic. In this case, you need to lodge an EOI first. If you are selected by South Australia, you will be invited to apply for state nomination.

Victoria Nomination For A Subclass 491 Visa

You can apply for nomination in Victoria as a small engine mechanic if you are onshore or outside Australia. To be considered for state nomination, you must submit a Registration of Interest (ROI).

Western Australia Nomination For A Subclass 491 Visa

You can apply for nomination in Western Australia as a small engine mechanic under the General stream WASMOL schedule 1 or the General stream WASMOL schedule 2 stream.

For further information about the subclass 491 visa, please refer to the following articles:

Skilled Regional Visa Australia

491 Visa Adelaide

Subclass 491 Regional Visa

Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa

A small engine mechanic may be nominated by an employer in a designated regional area of Australia for a Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa.

The term of the subclass 494 visa is five years. As a subclass 494 visa holder (including any accompanying visa dependents), you must live, work and study only in a designated regional area of Australia.

Subclass 494 visa holders have unrestricted rights to travel to and from Australia during the visa term and are also entitled to enrol in Medicare, Australia’s public health system.

After you have held a subclass 494 visa for three years, you will be eligible for permanent residency via a Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa, provided you meet specified requirements.

How Can You Apply For A Subclass 494 Visa As A Small Engine Mechanic?

The subclass 494 visa application process is similar to that which applies to the TSS visa. To apply for a SESR visa, three applications must be lodged, namely:

• your sponsoring employer must apply for, and be approved as, a standard business sponsor;
• your sponsoring employer must apply to nominate you for the position; and
• you must separately apply for the visa.

All three applications can be submitted at the same time. If your sponsoring employer already has an approved sponsorship in place, only a nomination and visa application is required (sponsorships generally last for a period of five years).

Sponsorship

To be approved as a sponsor, your prospective sponsoring employer must be lawfully operating a business, and have a strong record of, or a demonstrated commitment to, employing local labour, and declare that they will not engage in discriminatory recruitment practices. There must also be no adverse information known to the Department about the business, or a person associated with the business (or it is reasonable to disregard this information).

Please refer to our article on How To Become A Sponsor for further information.

Nomination

The key requirements to be satisfied for nomination approval under the subclass 494 regional employer sponsored visa program are set out below:

• there must be no adverse information known to the Department about the sponsor, or a person associated with the sponsor (or is it reasonable to disregard this information);
• the nominated position is located in a designated regional area;
• the position associated with the nominated occupation is genuine, full-time and likely to exist for at least five years;
• as the proposed sponsored worker, you must be engaged only as an employee of the sponsor (or an associated entity of the sponsor) under a written contract of employment that does not include an express exclusion of the possibility of extending the period of employment. A copy of the signed contract must be provided;
• all salary related requirements must be met;
• there must be no information known to the Department indicating that your proposed employment conditions will be less favourable than those that apply, or would apply, to an Australian worker performing equivalent work at the same location (or it is reasonable to disregard this information);
• the sponsor must not have engaged in discriminatory recruitment practices; and
• a Regional Certifying Body (RCB) must have advised that you will be paid at least the annual market salary rate for the occupation.

Additionally, in certain circumstances, standard business sponsors are required to undertake labour market testing in relation to the nominated occupation, unless this is inconsistent with Australia’s international trade obligations. This means advertising the position in Australia in accordance with specified requirements to demonstrate that no suitably qualified and experienced Australian worker or eligible temporary visa holder is readily available to fill the nominated position.

For further information about labour market testing requirements and when they apply, please refer to our article on the Labour Market Testing Requirements.

Visa

The third and final step is the visa application. This part of the process requires you to meet visa grant criteria relating to such things as your qualifications, skills, experience, English language proficiency and age.

Some of the key criteria that you must meet in order to qualify for a subclass 494 visa include the following:

• your intention to perform the nominated occupation must be genuine;
• the position associated with the nominated occupation must be genuine;
• there must be no adverse information known to Immigration about your sponsoring employer, or a person associated with the employer (unless it is reasonable to disregard this information);
• you must be employed to work as a small engine mechanic within your sponsoring employer’s business or an associated entity of that business;
•  at the time of application, you must be under 45 years of age;
•  at the time of application, you must have had your skills assessed as suitable for the nominated occupation by TRA;
• at the time of application, you must have been employed as a small engine mechanic for at least three years, on a full-time basis, and at the level of skill required for the occupation; and
• at the time of application, you must have Competent English (unless you are exempt).

For further information about the subclass 494 visa, please refer to our article on the Requirements For Regional Employer Sponsored Skilled Visas.

Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa

To be eligible for a subclass 191 permanent residence visa, you must have held a subclass 491 or 494 visa for at least three years.

Other key requirements for small engine mechanics migration to Australia include that you must:

• have complied substantially with the conditions on your subclass 491 or 494 visa and any subsequent bridging visa that you held;
• have complied with visa condition 8579 whilst you held the subclass 491 or 494 visa (this condition requires you to have lived, worked and studied only in a designated regional area of Australia); and
• your taxable income must be at least equal to the minimum income threshold for at least three income years whilst you held the subclass 491 or 494 visa.

Employer Nomination Scheme

The Subclass 186 ENS visa program is an employer nominated visa which grants you permanent residence in Australia. It comprises of the following visa streams:

• Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) – this requires you to have been sponsored for a subclass 482 TSS visa and to have worked for your sponsoring employer on a full-time basis for at least two years (note there are other specified requirements);
• Direct entry – this applies if you do not qualify for the TRT stream. To qualify under this stream, you are also required to have at least three years of relevant skilled work experience and a positive skills assessment as a small engine mechanic. This stream grants you immediate permanent residence (unlike the TRT and labour agreement streams, which require you to hold a TSS visa for a certain period before being eligible for an ENS permanent residency visa);
• Labour Agreement – your sponsoring employer must have a labour agreement in place under this stream. You will need to have the minimum qualifications, experience and English language skills that are suitable to perform the occupation (as set out in the labour agreement). You may be eligible for an ENS permanent residency visa if you hold a TSS visa that was issued in accordance with the terms of the labour agreement after 2 years. Alternatively, you may qualify for PR after 2 years under the TRT stream.

The occupation of small engine mechanic ANZSCO 321214 is included on the relevant SOL for the Direct Entry stream, and may therefore be nominated for a subclass 186 ENS visa. Alternatively, you may be eligible for this small engine mechanic immigration to Australia PR visa under the labour agreement stream if your nominating employer has a labour agreement in place with the Australian Government. Or, you may qualify for PR after 2 years under the TRT stream.

This option requires two applications to be lodged in all cases: one for the nomination (which relates to the position) and one for the visa (which relates to you as the proposed sponsored employee meeting specified criteria for grant of the visa).

Some of the main requirements that apply include (note these vary depending on which stream you apply under):

• you must possess the minimum qualifications and/or employment experience as specified for your nominated occupation (in accordance with ANZSCO as discussed above in this article);
• you must be under 45 years of age at the time of application (unless a labour agreement specifies otherwise);
• A positive skills assessment may be required;
• you must have Competent English (unless an exemption applies or a labour agreement specifies otherwise).

For further information on the subclass 186 ENS visa, we recommend that you refer to our article on the Employer Nomination Migration Scheme.

Skilled (Independent) Visa

The Subclass 189 Skilled (Independent) visa is a permanent residence visa with the following key requirements:

• You must first submit an application for an invitation to apply for the visa. A set number of invitations are issued by the Department periodically in what are called ‘invitation rounds’;
• You must possess minimum qualifications and/or employment experience as specified for your occupation (as outlined in ANZSCO and as discussed above);
• You must be under 45 years of age at the time the invitation is received;
• A positive skills assessment is required;
• Minimum points test score of 65 must be achieved in the Migration Points Test;
• You must have Competent English (note this a defined term and is based on either your country of passport, or by achieving a minimum English test result in a prescribed English language test).

Skilled (Nominated) Visa

The Subclass 190 Skilled (Nominated) Visa is a permanent residence visa which has similar requirements to the Skilled (Independent) visa discussed above, but with an added requirement that you must be nominated by a State or Territory Government. This small engine mechanic immigration to Australia PR visa also grants you an additional 5 points towards the points test, on account of the nomination.

The following main requirements apply:

• You must first apply to a State or Territory Government for nomination approval. You must meet specified requirements to be granted approval, which may be different to the criteria which you must satisfy when applying to the Department for the visa itself;
• You must also submit an application for an invitation to apply for the visa (note this is normally required to be done at the same time as you lodge your nomination application);
• You must possess minimum qualifications and/or employment experience as specified for your selected occupation (as outlined in ANZSCO and as discussed above);
• You must be under 45 years of age at the time the invitation is received;
• A positive skills assessment is required;
• Minimum points test score of 65 must be achieved in the Migration Points Test;
• You must have Competent English.

Nominations For A Subclass 190 Visa

You may be eligible to apply for nomination for a subclass 190 visa as a small engine mechanic in the following States and Territories:

• Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
• New South Wales (NSW)
• Queensland (QLD)
• South Australia (SA)
• Tasmania (TAS)
• Western Australia (WA)

Australian Capital Territory Nomination For A Subclass 190 Visa

You can apply for nomination in the ACT as a small engine mechanic if you are onshore or outside Australia.

You can register an interest in applying for ACT 190 nomination by completing a score-based Canberra Matrix where points can be claimed against specific criteria including skilled employment, English proficiency, formal qualifications, length of ACT residence/study, investment activity and close family ties, etc. Your Matrix will be ranked based on the number of points you have claimed. Those who rank high enough will be invited to apply for ACT nomination.

If you are nominated by the ACT to apply for a subclass 190 visa, you must live and work in Canberra for at least two years from visa grant, or if you are moving from overseas, from your date of arrival in Canberra.

Please note that there is a cap of five nomination places available each month for the occupation of small engine mechanic in the ACT (this single cap covers both the subclass 491 and 190 visa).

New South Wales Nomination For A Subclass 190 Visa

You can apply for nomination in the NSW as a small engine mechanic if you are currently residing in NSW, or offshore, and have continuously done so for a minimum period of six months.

You must lodge an EOI in SkillSelect and select NSW as the nominating state. You need to receive an invitation to apply before submitting an application. If you are invited, you must apply for NSW nomination within 14 days and provide evidence for all points claims in your SkillSelect EOI and where you currently reside.

Northern Territory Nomination For A Subclass 190 Visa

You can apply for nomination in the NT as a small engine mechanic if you are onshore or outside Australia. However, you will not be eligible for NT nomination if:

• you or any of your migrating dependants are currently living interstate; or
• you or any of your migrating dependants are currently on a student visa and have not completed studies in an NT institution.

Additionally, if you have already been nominated for a subclass 489 or 491 visa by the NT, you will not be eligible for a subclass 190 nomination.

Queensland Nomination For A Subclass 190 Visa

You can apply for nomination in QLD as a small engine mechanic under one of the following streams if you are onshore.

• Skilled workers living in Queensland; and
• Graduates of a Queensland university.

If you are seeking state nomination for a subclass 190 visa, you may live and work in any part of QLD to be eligible.

Please note that If you are a current holder of a subclass 491 visa or have applied for a subclass 491 visa, you will not be eligible for nomination in QLD for a subclass 190 visa.

South Australian Nomination For A Subclass 190 Visa

You can apply for nomination in South Australia as a small engine mechanic under one of several streams, as follows:

• as a long-term resident of South Australia;
• if you currently live and work in South Australia;
• if you currently live and work in outer regional South Australia (you must have been working as a small engine mechanic (or in a related occupation) for the last six months in Greater Adelaide, or six months in regional South Australia; or
• if you qualify as a highly skilled and talented applicant (you may reside in South Australia, interstate or overseas to be eligible).

To apply under the highly skilled and talented applicant stream, you first need to submit a Registration Of Interest (ROI) with Skilled & Business Migration SA.

Tasmania Nomination For A Subclass 190 Visa

You can apply for nomination in Tasmania as a small engine mechanic under the Tasmanian Skilled Employment nomination pathway. Registrations of interest in the Migration Tasmania Gateway are also prioritised for this occupation.

To be eligible, you must have a skills assessment as a small engine mechanic and be working in a role in the same four-digit group (3212 Motor Mechanics). To be eligible for nomination under the Tasmanian Skilled Employment nomination pathway, your employer must have operated in Tasmania for at least three years.

Victoria Nomination For A Subclass 190 Visa

You can apply for nomination in Victoria as a small engine mechanic if you are onshore or outside Australia. To be considered for state nomination, you must submit a Registration of Interest (ROI).

Western Australia Nomination For A Subclass 190 Visa

You can apply for nomination in Western Australia as a small engine mechanic under the General stream WASMOL schedule 1 or the General stream WASMOL schedule 2 stream.

For further information about the subclass 190 visa, please refer to the following articles:

Adelaide 190 Visa

Subclass 190 State Sponsorship Visa

How Can A Small Engine Mechanic Qualify For A Skilled Visa Under A DAMA?

Another way that a small engine mechanic may be eligible for a skilled visa to Australia is under a DAMA.

A Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) is one type of labour agreement which allows an employer to sponsor a foreign worker in a designated region of Australia.

To be eligible, your proposed sponsoring employer must enter into a labour agreement with the Government. One of the main benefits of a labour agreement is that it provides more flexible terms to the standard visa programs (for example, your sponsoring employer may be able to negotiate certain concessions to the skilled visa criteria that would normally apply under the standard visa grant requirements. This can include requirements relating to English language competency, salary and age thresholds).

To learn more about labour agreements, including the different types of labour agreements and the process for applying for one, please refer to our Labour Agreement Visa article.

Northern Territory Designated Area Migration Agreement

The Northern Territory (NT) DAMA is an employer-sponsored visa program which covers the whole of the NT. Employers in the NT can use the program to sponsor overseas workers for positions that they are unable to fill with local workers.

Through the NT DAMA, employers can sponsor workers in occupations that are not available under the standard visa programs and access concessions to some criteria.

It provides English language, age and skill concessions. A Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) concession is also available for certain occupations (although this does not apply to the occupation of small engine mechanic).

Note that an individual overseas worker cannot apply for a visa independently under the NT DAMA. They need to find employment with an NT business that will sponsor them.

Under the NT DAMA, employers are able to sponsor workers for the following visa subclasses:

• Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa (for a term of four years); and
• Subclass 494 Employer Sponsored Regional (SESR) (Provisional) visa (for a term of five years).

Both of the above visas provide a pathway to permanent residency for overseas workers under the NT DAMA.

If you have been sponsored under the TSS visa program and have been working for your sponsoring employer in the NT for three years, you may be eligible for the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa.

If you have been sponsored under the SESR visa program and have been working for a NT DAMA endorsed employer for three years, you may be eligible for the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa. Note that an employer is not required to sponsor workers for the permanent pathway through the subclass 191 visa.

What Are The Requirements For A Business To Nominate An Overseas Worker For A Subclass 482 TSS Visa As A Small Engine Mechanic In The Northern Territory Under A DAMA Labour Agreement?

NT businesses can access the NT DAMA if they are actively operating in the NT and:

• are viable and have been operating for at least 12 months;
• have no history of not meeting their obligations to employees;
• are looking to employ overseas workers to fill full-time positions with duties that align with one of the occupations on the NT DAMA list (the occupation of small engine mechanic is included on the NT DAMA list);
• can demonstrate that they cannot fill the position locally with Australian citizens or permanent residents; and
• can provide terms and conditions of employment to overseas workers that are in accordance with those offered to Australian workers employed in the region.

To use the NT DAMA program, businesses must first be endorsed by MigrationNT and enter into a 5-year labour agreement with the Department of Home Affairs.

The labour agreement will outline the number of workers that the NT business can nominate each year in specified occupations as well as any concessions that apply.

Nominating businesses must also meet the following nomination requirements:

• the occupation that is being nominated must be the one connected to the employee’s subclass 457 or subclass 482 visa; and
• the employer must offer full-time employment to the nominee for at least two years, with the possibility of extension.

Nominating businesses must be endorsed under the current NT DAMA and have an associated labour agreement in place with the Australian Government.

In addition to the above, nominating businesses must also meet the endorsement criteria including labour market testing requirements, as well as immigration requirements.

What Are The Requirements To Qualify For A Subclass 482 TSS Visa As A Small Engine Mechanic In The Northern Territory Under A DAMA Labour Agreement?

Some of the key criteria to qualify for a Subclass 482 TSS visa include:

• Age: Be under 55 years of age at time of nomination;
• Qualifications:
  • at least a relevant AQF Certificate III (including two years of on the job training);
  • an AQF Certificate IV obtained in Australia and one year of full-time work experience;
  • relevant overseas qualification equivalent to an AQF Certificate IV and two years of full-time work experience; or
  • three years of full-time work experience.
• English Language: An IELTS score of 4.5 overall (or equivalent), as well as a minimum IELTS score of 4.0 (or equivalent) for each individual band is required;
• Work Experience: Have worked full-time in the NT, for at least three years prior to nomination in one or more NT businesses. In those three years, you must have worked in your nominated occupation of small engine mechanic (or a closely related occupation), and you must have held a subclass 482 (or a subclass 457, the predecessor to the TSS visa) or an associated bridging visa.

Also be aware that to later qualify for permanent residence as a small engine mechanic via a subclass 186 visa under the NT DAMA, you will be subject to an English language concession, with a requirement to achieve an IELTS score of 5.0 overall (or equivalent), and a minimum IELTS score of 4.0 (or equivalent) for individual bands. An age-based concession also applies, whereby you may be nominated provided you have not turned 55 years of age at the time of the ENS nomination.

What Are The Requirements For A Business To Nominate An Overseas Worker For A Subclass 494 SESR Visa As A Small Engine Mechanic In The Northern Territory Under A DAMA Labour Agreement?

NT businesses can access the NT DAMA if they are actively operating in the NT and:

• are viable and have been operating for at least 12 months;
• have no history of not meeting their obligations to employees;
• are looking to employ overseas workers to fill full-time positions with duties that align with one of the occupations on the NT DAMA list (the occupation of small engine mechanic is included on the NT DAMA list);
• can demonstrate that they cannot fill the position locally with Australian citizens or permanent residents; and
• can provide terms and conditions of employment to overseas workers that are in accordance with those offered to Australian workers employed in the region.

To use the NT DAMA program, businesses must first be endorsed by MigrationNT and enter into a 5-year labour agreement with the Department of Home Affairs.

The labour agreement will outline the number of workers that the NT business can nominate each year in specified occupations as well as any concessions that apply.

What Are The Requirements To Qualify For A Subclass 494 SESR Visa As A Small Engine Mechanic In The Northern Territory Under A DAMA Labour Agreement?

Some of the key criteria to qualify for a Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (SESR) visa include:

• Qualifications:
  • at least a relevant AQF Certificate III (including 2 years of on the job training), or AQF Certificate IV obtained in Australia and 2 years of full-time work experience; or
  • three years of full-time work experience;
• Skills Assessment: Must obtain a skills assessment from TRA;
• Age: Must be under 55 years of age at time of nomination (note that the SESR visa normally requires workers to be under 45 years of age);
• English Language: An IELTS score of 4.5 overall (or equivalent), as well as a minimum IELTS score of 4.0 (or equivalent) for each individual band is required.

Far North Queensland Designated Area Migration Agreement

The Far North Queensland (FNQ) DAMA is a skilled migration program that is tailored to the needs of the Far North Queensland region. The FNQ DAMA provides greater flexibility and more options for both employers and foreign workers compared with the standard skilled visa programs. Some of the key differences are:

• The FNQ DAMA Occupation & Concessions List is designed for the Far North Queensland region, offering a greater range of occupations which are not linked to the standard occupation lists with no caveats;
• The flexibility to add (or remove) occupations as needed;
• Skilled and semi-skilled occupations may be nominated (which means a greater range of skill levels are eligible (skill levels 1-5 instead of the standard skill levels 1-3);
• The ability to design and include unique local occupations that are not in the ANZSCO;
• Access to permanent visa pathways for all occupations at skill levels 1-5;
• Access to age concessions rather than the general age limit of 45 which applies to the standard skilled migration pathways;
• Multiple visa options are available (being the subclass 482 TSS visa, subclass 494 SESR visa and subclass 186 ENS visa);
• Work experience, English language and salary concessions are available for certain occupations;
• More lenient Labour Market Testing requirements compared with the standard skilled visa requirements; and
• Priority processing times.

Requirements For Sponsoring Employers

To access a FNQ DAMA Labour Agreement, employers must first be endorsed by the Cairns Chamber of Commerce as the Designated Area Representative (DAR). Employers can access the FNQ DAMA if they:

• are operating within the FNQ DAMA Designated Area which includes the Cairns, Douglas, Mareeba, Tablelands, Cook, Cassowary Coast local government areas, the Torres Shire Council local government area, the Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council local government area, or the Weipa Town Authority area (or postcodes 4852, 4854-4856, 4858-4861, 4865, 4868-4876, 4877-4883, 4885-4886 and 4895);
• are viable and have been operating for at least 12 months (unless there are exceptional circumstances);
• have no history of not meeting obligations to employees;
• are seeking to employ overseas workers to fill full-time positions with duties that align with one or more of the occupations on the FNQ DAMA occupation list;
• can demonstrate that they cannot fill the position locally with Australian citizens or permanent residents;
• can provide terms and conditions of employment to overseas workers that are in accordance with those offered to Australian workers employed in the region.

Under the FNQ DAMA, employers are able to sponsor workers for the following visa subclasses:

• Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa (for a term of four years); and
• Subclass 494 Employer Sponsored Regional (SESR) (Provisional) visa (for a term of five years).

Both of the above visas provide a pathway to permanent residency for overseas workers under the FNQ DAMA.

What Are The Requirements To Qualify For A Subclass 482 TSS Visa As A Small Engine Mechanic Under The FNQ DAMA Labour Agreement?

Some of the key criteria to qualify for a Subclass 482 TSS visa include:

• Qualifications:*
  • an AQF Certificate III including at least two years of on-the-job training;
  • an AQF Certificate IV; or
  • at least three years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualifications listed above.
• Work experience:**
  • you must have at least two years relevant work experience as a small engine mechanic or in a related field (you should generally have gained your experience within the last five years, although equivalent part-time work may be considered. The employment period does not need to be continuous. Casual work will not be considered);
  • have at least one year of relevant work experience, where the relevant AQF qualification was undertaken in Australia; or
  • have at least two years (35 hours per week) of relevant work experience.
• English Language: have at least an average score of IELTS 5.0 with no minimum component score (unless registration or licensing requires a higher level of English).

* In some instances, relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification.

** Work experience means:
• may be full-time or part-time pro-rata;
• must be undertaken in the last five years; and
• can be served concurrently with any work experience used to substitute for formal qualifications as per ANZSCO requirements, provided the work experience was at the same skill level.

Permanent Residency Pathway For TSS Visa Holders Under The FNQ DAMA

If you have been sponsored under the TSS visa program and have been working in a FNQ DAMA Designated Area as a small engine mechanic (or an occupation within the same ANZSCO 4 digit unit group or other closely related occupation) on a full-time basis for at least three years, you may be eligible for the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa. Please note that for the whole three year period, you must have held a subclass 482 TSS visa.

The following requirements must be met to be eligible for a subclass 186 ENS visa:

• Age: you must be aged under 55 years at the time of the ENS nomination application;
• English: have an average score of IELTS 5.0 with no component being less than IELTS 4.0 or equivalent (unless registration or licensing requires a higher level of English);
• you must be employed on a full-time basis in the position for at least two years; and
• the terms and conditions of your employment must not include an express exclusion of the possibility of extending the period of employment.

What Are The Requirements To Qualify For A Subclass 494 SESR Visa As A Small Engine Mechanic Under The FNQ DAMA Labour Agreement?

Some of the key criteria to qualify for a Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (SESR) visa include:

• Age: you must be aged under 55 years at the time of the nomination application;
• Work experience:*
  • you must have been employed as a small engine mechanic for at least three years on a full-time basis and at the skill level required (you should generally have gained your experience within the last five years, although equivalent part-time work may be considered. The employment period does not need to be continuous. Casual work will not be considered);
  • have at least one year of relevant work experience, where the relevant AQF qualification was undertaken in Australia; or
  • have at least two years (35 hours per week) of relevant work experience.
• Skills Assessment: Must obtain a skills assessment from TRA;
• Qualifications:**
  • an AQF Certificate III including at least two years of on-the-job training;
  • an AQF Certificate IV; or
  • at least three years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualifications listed above.
• English Language: have at least an average score of IELTS 5.0 with no minimum component score (unless registration or licensing requires a higher level of English).

* Work experience means:
• may be full-time or part-time pro-rata;
• must be undertaken in the last five years; and
• can be served concurrently with any work experience used to substitute for formal qualifications as per ANZSCO requirements, provided the work experience was at the same skill level.

** In some instances, relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification.

Permanent Residency Pathway For TSS Visa Holders Under The FNQ DAMA

To be eligible for the SESR visa, If you have been sponsored under the SESR visa program under the FNQ DAMA for at least three years, you may be eligible for the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa.

Townsville North Queensland Designated Area Migration Agreement

The Townsville North Queensland (TNQ) DAMA is a formal agreement between the Australian Government and Townsville Enterprise. It provides business owners who are not able to fill skills shortages in the local labour market with access to overseas workers, as well as flexibility and responsiveness which is not available through the standard skilled migration programs.

DAMAs are tailored to a region’s unique economic and labour market conditions and are only accessible if employers can demonstrate skills shortages and that they have given priority to Australian jobseekers first.

The TNQ DAMA includes almost 200 occupations, with age, language and experience concessions available for many of these occupations. Please note that there is no English language concession for the occupation of small engine mechanic.

The TNQ DAMA Designated Area includes the City of Townsville, Hinchinbrook Shire, Charters Towers Regional Council, Burdekin Shire, City of Mount Isa, Shire of Cloncurry, Shire of McKinlay, Shire of Richmond and Shire of Flinders.

Under the TNQ DAMA, employers are able to sponsor workers for the following visa subclasses:

• Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa (for a term of four years); and
• Subclass 494 Employer Sponsored Regional (SESR) (Provisional) visa (for a term of five years).

Both of the above visas provide a pathway to permanent residency for overseas workers under the TNQ DAMA.

Requirements For Sponsoring Employers

To access the TNQ DAMA Labour Agreement, employers must first be endorsed by Townsville Enterprise Limited as the Designated Area Representative (DAR).

The DAR will consider whether:

• the business is operating within the Designated Area and has been doing so for at least 12 months (unless exceptional circumstances exist). The business may be asked to provide supporting evidence;
• the position/s to be filled will be located in the Designated Area;
• the business has been actively operating for at least twelve months and is financially viable (they may be asked to provide business documents, including for associated entities (if applicable));
• the position/s that the business is seeking to fill is genuine and there are genuine vacancies;
• genuine attempts have been made to fill the position/s from the Australian labour market;
• the proposed salary for the position/s is reasonable and justified for the regional location, taking into account the market salary rate for the occupation, and that the terms and conditions of employment must be no less than would be provided to an Australian citizen or permanent resident in an equivalent position.

What Are The Requirements To Qualify For A Subclass 482 TSS Visa As A Small Engine Mechanic Under The TNQ DAMA Labour Agreement?

Some of the key criteria to qualify for a Subclass 482 TSS visa include:

• Qualifications:*
  • an AQF Certificate III including at least two years of on-the-job training;
  • an AQF Certificate IV; or
  • at least three years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualifications listed above.
• Work experience:**
  • you must have at least two years relevant work experience as a small engine mechanic or in a related field (you should generally have gained your experience within the last five years, although equivalent part-time work may be considered. The employment period does not need to be continuous. Casual work will not be considered); or
  • one year of relevant full time work experience is required.

* In some instances, relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification.

** Work experience must be:

• Relevant to the nominated occupation and at the required skill level;
• Full-time or part time pro rata equivalent. Full-time work should be in accordance with the National Employment Standards and undertaken in the last five years.

Permanent Residency Pathway For TSS Visa Holders Under The TNQ DAMA

If you have been sponsored under the TSS visa program and have been working in a TNQ DAMA Designated Area as a small engine mechanic (or an occupation within the same ANZSCO 4-digit unit group or other closely related occupation) on a full-time basis for at least three years, you may be eligible for the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa. Please note that for the whole three year period, you must have held a subclass 482 TSS visa to be eligible for this small engine mechanic immigration to Australia PR visa.

The following requirements must be met to be eligible for a subclass 186 ENS visa:

• Age: you must be aged under 55 years at the time of the ENS nomination application;
• you must be employed on a full-time basis in the position for at least two years; and
• the terms and conditions of your employment must not include an express exclusion of the possibility of extending the period of employment.

What Are The Requirements To Qualify For A Subclass 494 SESR Visa As A Small Engine Mechanic Under The TNQ DAMA Labour Agreement?

Some of the key criteria to qualify for a Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (SESR) visa include:

• Age: you must be aged under 55 years at the time of the nomination application;
• Work experience:*
  • you must have been employed as a small engine mechanic for at least three years on a full-time basis and at the skill level required (you should generally have gained your experience within the last five years, although equivalent part-time work may be considered. The employment period does not need to be continuous. Casual work will not be considered);
  • where the relevant AQF qualification was undertaken in Australia, one year of relevant full-time (or part time pro rata equivalent) work experience is required; or
  • two years of relevant full time (or part time pro rata equivalent) work experience is required;
• Skills Assessment: Must obtain a skills assessment from TRA;
• Qualifications:**
  • an AQF Certificate III including at least two years of on-the-job training;
  • an AQF Certificate IV; or
  • at least three years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualifications listed above.

* Work experience must be:

• Relevant to the nominated occupation and at the required skill level;
• Full-time or part time pro rata equivalent. Full-time work should be in accordance with the National Employment Standards; and
• Undertaken in the last five years.

** In some instances, relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification.

Skill Assessments For Small Engine Mechanics

As noted in our introduction, the prescribed skills assessing body for the occupation of small engine mechanic is Trades Recognition Australia (TRA). It has a number of skills assessment programs, depending on the type of visa that you are seeking to apply for. The TRA Pathfinder is a good starting point to determine which skills assessment program to select based on your individual circumstances. Detailed guidelines are also available for each TRA assessment program.

A skills assessment is required if you are being nominated as a small engine mechanic for the following visa subclasses:

• Subclass 485 visa if you are applying under the graduate work stream (although this requirement has temporarily been removed for applications lodged between 1 July 2022 and 30 June 2023);
• Subclass 491 visa (state or family sponsored);
• Subclass 494 visa (employer sponsored stream);
• Subclass 186 visa (if you are applying under the direct entry stream);
• Subclass 189 visa; and
• Subclass 190 visa.

Job Ready Program (JRP)

The JRP is an employment-based skills assessment program. It is for international student graduates with an Australian qualification. The program gives you:

• the opportunity to develop your skills;
• employment experience in an Australian workplace; and
• a skills assessment outcome to apply to the Department of Home Affairs for a skilled migration visa.

The steps involved in the JRP are as follows:

Job Ready Program Registration and Eligibility (JRPRE)

This step verifies your identity and Australian qualifications.

To be eligible to apply for a JRPRE, you must have:

• a current and valid passport;
• held an international student visa (as the primary holder) to study in Australia; and
• an Australian qualification directly relevant to the occupation of small engine mechanic. This qualification must be from a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS).

Job Ready Employment (JRE)

This step requires you to gain experience in an Australian workplace to further develop your skills relevant to your nominated occupation of small engine mechanic.

You need to complete at least 1,725 hours of paid employment over a minimum of 12 months from your JRE start date in an Australian workplace that has been approved by TRA. The employment must be in your nominated occupation, or one which is closely related.

To be eligible to apply for this step, you must:

• have successfully completed the JRPRE;
• have four months or less remaining on your student visa; and
• hold a visa or bridging visa that has full (unrestricted) work rights and provides sufficient time to complete the remaining requirements of the JRP (a minimum of 12 months).

Job Ready Workplace Assessment (JRWA)

This step aims to determine whether you are working at the required skill level in an Australian workplace in your nominated occupation. It is conducted in your workplace by an assessor from a TRA-approved registered training organisation. The assessment will focus on the activities you have been required to perform during your employment.

To be eligible for a JRWA, you must have provided TRA with:

• proof of paid employment in your occupation for 863 hours over at least six months from your JRE start date;
• a Skills Progress Report (SPR) signed by you and your nominated supervisor;
• an Employment Verification Report (EVR) for each registered employer; and
• Your employer must sign your EVR to confirm they agree to have the JRWA done at your workplace.

You may also need to provide pay evidence for at least one month of work.

Job Ready Final Assessment (JRFA)

To be eligible for the final step of the JRP, you must have:

• a successful Job Ready Workplace Assessment (JRWA) outcome; and
• completed all requirements of Job Ready Employment (JRE) including proof of paid employment in your occupation for 1725 hours over at least 12 months from your JRE start date.

Migration Skills Assessment

The Migration Skills Assessment (MSA) is for applicants who need a skills assessment as part of their skilled migration visa application to the Department of Home Affairs. The MSA outcome recognises if you have the skills and experience needed at the required level to work in Australia in your nominated occupation.

You can only use a successful MSA outcome for your visa application to the Department for migration purposes. You cannot use an MSA outcome for employment, licensing or qualification-recognition purposes.

To be eligible to apply for the MSA program, you must:

• have a qualification directly related to your nominated occupation of small engine mechanic; and
• have the required amount of directly relevant employment in your occupation.

Please refer to the MSA Applicant Guidelines for the employment requirements under this program.

Get More Information

Skilled Visa Options For Selected Occupations

Please refer to our series of articles on the skilled visa options that are available for selected occupations below:

Visa Options For Professionals

Skilled Trade Visa Options In Australia

Australian Immigration And Visa Options For Doctors

Australian Immigration And Visa Options For Nurses

Australian Visa Options For Engineers

Australian Visa Options For IT Occupations

Migrate To Australia As A Plastics Moulder Machine Operator, Fabricator, Welder Or Technician

How To Migrate To Australia As A Pig Farmer Or A Senior Piggery Stockperson

Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa

For further information on the subclass 491 visa, please see the following articles:

491 Visa Adelaide

Subclass 491 Regional Visa

Employer Sponsored Regional Visa

For further information on the subclass 494 visa, please see the following articles:

Skilled Regional Visa Australia

Regional Sponsor Migration Scheme

Regional Sponsored Visa Requirements

Requirements For Regional Employer Sponsored Skilled Visas

Employer Sponsored Visa

Please refer to the following articles to learn about the Subclass 482 TSS visa  and Subclass 186 ENS visa programs, including how do you become a sponsor and the sponsorship obligations:

Employer Sponsored Visas

Employer Nomination Migration Scheme

Labour Agreement Visa

482 Visa Employer Obligations

457 Visa Replacement

Employer Sponsor Visa Requirements

Changes To 457 Temporary Work Skilled Visa

Business Requirements For Accredited Sponsorship

Self Sponsor Visa Australia

Does 482 Visa Require Skills Assessment

Subclass 482 – A Guide to Temporary Skill Shortage

Permanent Residence Eligibility Extended For Certain Subclass 457 And 482 Visa Holders

How To Sponsor An Employee For A Work Visa Or Permanent Residency

Overview Of Australian Work Visas And Employer Sponsorship

Guide To Australian Sponsorship Visa Costs

Labour Market Testing Requirements

How To Become A Sponsor

Skilled Visa

To learn more about applying for a skilled visa, including the subclass 189 and 190 visas, please see the following articles:

Australian Skilled Migration Visa List

General Skilled Migration Visa Options

SAF Skilling Australians Fund Levy

General Skilled Migration Visa Points

Subclass 190 State Sponsorship Visa

Australian Skilled Occupations List

Australian Permanent Resident Visa Case Study

State Sponsorship Visas In Australia

South Australia State Sponsorship Opportunities

Skilled Regional Visa Australia

Regional Sponsor Migration Scheme

Regional Sponsored Visa Requirements

Visa Options For Professionals

English Requirements For Skilled Visas

Adelaide 190 Visa

Subscribe to our newsletter for regular updates and additional information.

Contact us to book a no-obligation consultation to find out more about applying for a skilled visa as a small engine mechanic ANZSCO 321214, including to assess your eligibility for a skilled visa for small engine mechanics migration Australia.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

In conclusion, we note that the above discussion provides an overview about how to migrate to Australia as a small engine mechanic and the skills assessment pathways and requirements. We also provide links to further information so that you can learn more about the skilled visa options for small engine mechanics migration Australia.

Australia’s migration laws are complex, and each case is different. We recommend that you seek professional advice if you are seeking to migrate to Australia as a small engine mechanic, 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 skilled visas for small engine mechanics migration Australia, including small engine mechanic immigration to Australia PR visa options, book your confidential consultation with a migration agent in Adelaide. PAX Migration Australia is a leading immigration advice service based in Adelaide.

Sources/Links

Australia Bureau of Statistics – 1220.0 – ANZSCO – Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations, 2013, Version 1.2 – ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 26/06/2013 – MINOR GROUP 321 AUTOMOTIVE ELECTRICIANS AND MECHANICS

Australia Bureau of Statistics – 1220.0 – ANZSCO – Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations, 2013, Version 1.2 – ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 26/06/2013 – UNIT GROUP 3212 MOTOR MECHANICS

Skilled & Business Migration – South Australia’s Skilled Occupation List

ACT Government – Migration – Skilled migrants – ACT Government nomination – ACT nomination

ACT Government – Migration – Skilled migrants – ACT Government nomination – ACT Critical Skills List

ACT Government – Migration – Skilled migrants – ACT Government nomination – 491 nomination criteria

ACT Government – Migration – Skilled migrants – ACT Government nomination – 190 nomination criteria

NSW Government – Visas and migration – Skilled visas – Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491)

NSW Government – Visas and migration – Skilled visas – Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)

NSW Government – Visas and migration – Skilled visas – NSW skills lists

Live in Melbourne – Victoria Australia – Migrate – Skilled Migration visas – Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)

Live in Melbourne – Victoria Australia – Migrate – Skilled Migration visas – Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491)

The Territory Australia – Migrate – Migrate to work – Northern Territory Government visa nomination – Eligibility – Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491) visa and Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa

The Territory Australia – Migrate – Migrate to work – Northern Territory Government visa nomination – Eligibility – Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated Visa

The Territory Australia – Migrate – Migrate to work – Northern Territory Government visa nomination – Eligibility – Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa

The Territory Australia – Migrate – Migrate to work – Skilled occupation lists

Tasmanian Government – Migration Tasmania – Skilled migration – Tasmanian Onshore Skilled Occupation List (TOSOL)

Government of Western Australia – Skilled Migration Western Australia – About State nomination

Government of Western Australia – Skilled Migration Western Australia – WA State Nomination – combined occupation list

Migration Queensland – Visa options – Skilled visas

Northern Territory Government – Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade – Migration for business – Northern Territory Designated Area Migration Agreement – About the Northern Territory Designated Area Migration Agreement

Northern Territory Government – Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade – Migration for business – Northern Territory Designated Area Migration Agreement – NT DAMA occupations list

Northern Territory Government – Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade – Migration for business – Northern Territory Designated Area Migration Agreement – Concessions available

Northern Territory Government – Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade – Migration for business – Northern Territory Designated Area Migration Agreement – Qualifications, experience and age requirements for nominated overseas workers

Northern Territory Government – Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade – Migration for business – Northern Territory Designated Area Migration Agreement – Permanent residence pathway

Cairns Chamber of Commerce – FNQ DAMA Overview – Far North Queensland Designated Area Migration Agreement – About the FNQ DAMA

Cairns Chamber of Commerce – FNQ DAMA Overview – Far North Queensland Designated Area Migration Agreement – Accessing The FNQ DAMA

Cairns Chamber of Commerce – Far North Queensland Designated Area Migration Agreement (FNQ DAMA) (v1.3 effective from 31 March 2022) – FNQ DAMA Occupation & Concessions List (Version 5 – updated 22 August 2022)

Cairns Chamber of Commerce – Far North Queensland Designated Area Migration Agreement (FNQ DAMA) Request for endorsement to access an FNQ DAMA Labour Agreement (FNQ DAMA v1.3 effective on or after 31 March 2022) – Information Guide – Version 9.1 – Revised and updated 1 September 2022)

Townsville Enterprise – Skills & Migration

Townsville Enterprise – Townsville North Queensland – Designated Area Migration Agreement – (TNQ DAMA) – Request for endorsement to access an TNQ DAMA Labour Agreement (TNQ DAMA v1 effective on or after 1 July 2022) – Information Guide

Trades Recognition Australia

Trades Recognition Australia – TRA Skills Assessment

Trades Recognition Australia – Our programs – Job Ready Program (JRP)

Trades Recognition Australia – Our programs – Job Ready Program Registration and Eligibility (JRPRE)

Trades Recognition Australia – Our programs – Job Ready Employment (JRE)

Trades Recognition Australia – Our programs – Job Ready Workplace Assessment (JRWA)

Trades Recognition Australia – our programs – Job Ready Final Assessment (JRFA)

Trades Recognition Australia – Our programs – Migration Skills Assessment (MSA)

Trades Recognition Australia – Our programs – Migration Skills Assessment (MSA) Guidelines

Australian Government – Department of Education – Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students