Important Update: NSW will focus on priority sectors rather than skilled occupation lists
To better address the evolving skills shortages across the state, NSW is shifting from publishing a list of eligible ANZSCO unit groups to a new sector-focused approach.
What’s Changing
Previously, we published a skills list comprised of specific ANZSCO unit groups. Effective immediately, we’re now focusing on priority sectors that need skilled talent.
NSW Target Sectors
The sectors we’ve identified align closely with the skills shortages in NSW and include:
- Health
- Education
- Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
- Infrastructure
- Agriculture
Although our focus this program year is on key sectors, high-ranking EOIs submitted in non-priority sectors may also be considered; however, due to the exceptionally high demand and limited places, we strongly recommend anyone considering NSW nomination to also explore all other migration options available to them.
Skilled Invitation Rounds
Invitation rounds are an important part of the NSW nomination process. Here is what you need to know:
- Timing: Invitation rounds will continue to occur throughout the financial year. There are no predetermined or publicly announced dates for invitation rounds.
- Selection: NSW considers multiple factors when selecting EOIs. These include your points score, English language proficiency, and your skilled work experience. We will prioritise EOIs submitted in NSW Priority Sectors identified above.
- Invitation: Invitation for NSW nomination is at the sole discretion of the NSW Government.
- Submission Date: The date you submit or amend your SkillSelect EOI has no impact on your likelihood of being invited.
We intend to commence invitation rounds for the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) next week.
Supporting Regional Development
Regional development remains a priority for NSW. Our regional skilled migration program is designed to help businesses in regional NSW attract qualified talent. Information about the program’s reopening will be made available after we have finalised all applications from the previous financial year.
Related:
- NSW 190 Skilled Occupation List
- NSW 190 visa nomination requirements
- NSW 491 visa Skilled Occupation List
- NSW 491 visa nomination requirements
491 NSW Pathways
- NSW 491 Pathway 1 – Apply directly to an RDA office
- NSW 491 Pathway 2 – Be invited by NSW
- NSW 491 Regional NSW-based direct pathway
The Federal Government retains ultimate responsibility for Australia’s migration program, including the allocation of available places across program streams and making decisions on visa applications.
The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) allows skilled migrants to live, study and work in designated regional areas for a period of 5 years.
New pathway for regional NSW-based skilled migrants
The NSW Government is bolstering support for Regional NSW-based skilled migrants with a dedicated pathway for Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491) nomination.
The new ‘Working in Regional NSW’ eligibility stream recognises applicants’ commitment to living and working in regional NSW and demonstrates support for businesses seeking to retain skilled migrants for their operations.
Nomination Pathways
There are three pathways to NSW nomination for the Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491):
Regional NSW-based direct pathway
To apply under this pathway, you must:
- Ensure you are eligible for the 491 visa
- Be currently living and working in their nominated (or closely related) occupation in a designated regional area of NSW, and have continuously done so for the past twelve (12) months for a minimum of 20 hours per week
- Have a valid skills assessment in an occupation within a unit group that appears on the NSW Regional Skills List and is eligible for the visa
- Are paid at least the TSMIT level or $53,900 per annum (full time basis) excluding superannuation
- Provide evidence for all points claims in your SkillSelect EOI, and where you currently reside, with your application. You must also provide a copy of your SkillSelect EOI
Pathway 1 – Apply directly to an RDA office
To apply under this pathway, you must:
- Ensure you are eligible for the 491 visa
- Confirm you meet the NSW basic eligibility criteria outlined below
- Complete an EOI in SkillSelect and ensure that:
- all information is accurate
- your EOI seeks nomination for the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 491) and NSW only
- Apply directly to the RDA office in the region you wish to live and work in for the first three years after being granted your visa by Home Affairs
- Provide evidence for all points claims in your SkillSelect EOI, and where you currently reside, with your application. You must also provide a copy of your SkillSelect EOI
Regional NSW study exemption
You are exempt from the minimum work experience requirement under Pathway 1 if you have completed study in regional NSW within the most recent 24 months before applying to an RDA office; AND your study is related to your nominated (or closely related) occupation; AND your study in regional NSW makes you eligible to claim points for Study in regional Australia.
Pathway 2 – Be invited by Investment NSW
To be considered under this pathway, you must:
- Ensure you are eligible for the 491 visa
- Confirm you meet the NSW basic eligibility criteria outlined below
- Complete an EOI in SkillSelect and ensure that:
- all information is accurate
- your EOI seeks nomination for the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 491) and NSW only.
- Be invited to apply during an invitation round. NSW will not issue an invitation to apply for any reason outside the normal functioning of an invitation round. Do not contact our office requesting to be invited
- Apply to Investment NSW within 14 days of being invited
- Provide evidence for all points claims in your SkillSelect EOI and where you currently reside
Important information about invitation rounds
Invitation rounds occur ongoing throughout the financial year. There are no set dates, and rounds are not announced beforehand.
We cannot advise the date of upcoming NSW invitation rounds or the likelihood your SkillSelect EOI will be invited by contacting our office.
Meeting the minimum nomination outlined above in no way guarantees you will be invited to apply for NSW nomination.
Because being invited to apply is exceptionally competitive, we strongly encourage anyone seeking NSW nomination to explore all other migration pathways and do not wait to be invited by NSW.
Participating RDA offices
- Central Coast
- Central West
- Far South Coast
- Far West
- Hunter
- Illawarra
- Mid North Coast
- Murray
- Northern Inland
- Northern Rivers
- Orana
- Riverina
- Southern Inland
- Sydney
Basic Eligibility
To be eligible for NSW nomination, you must meet the basic criteria outlined below:
Visa
You must meet all requirements set for the 491 visa subclass.
Skills
Be skilled in an occupation that is:
- within an ANZSCO unit group identified on the NSW Skilled Work Regional Skills List; AND
- is eligible for the Skilled Work visa (subclass 491)
Residency
You must be either currently residing in NSW or offshore, and have continuously done so for a minimum period of three months.
Work experience and point score
You must meet the minimum skilled work experience and point score for your unit group. These are identified on the NSW Skilled Nominated Skills List next to the name of your unit group.
The work experience and point score requirement does not apply to the ‘Regional NSW-based direct pathway’.
Common reasons applications are declined
Common reasons why applications are declined include where an applicant:
Wasn’t eligible to claim all the points in their EOI
It is the responsibility of the EOI owner to ensure they can provide evidence for all the claims in their SkillSelect EOI. Common causes for being declined for this include:
- Claiming credentialled community language points when your qualification has expired. Your CCL certificate must be valid on the day you are invited to apply by NSW to claim these points
- Claiming professional year points when you are not eligible. Your professional year must be in your nominated (or closely related) occupation to claim these points
- Claiming points for skilled employment before the date you are deemed skilled in your occupation (see below)
Does not meet the residency requirement
You must be either currently residing in NSW or offshore, and have done so for a minimum period of three months.
Over-claimed points for employment
If your skills assessment displays a date you have been deemed skilled in your occupation, you cannot claim points for skilled employment before this date. This particularly applies to ACS and most VETASSESS assessments.
If your assessment does not display this date, you cannot claim points for skilled employment before you completed your qualification.
To ensure you are eligible to accept your NSW invitation, we strongly recommend you confirm you are eligible to claim all the points in your SkillSelect EOI, and that you have only claimed eligible skilled employment.
If you have claimed points in error, you are not eligible to accept your NSW invitation if invited. There are no exceptions for any reason.
Alternative migration options
NSW nomination for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) is just one of a number of visa options for prospective skilled migrants. There are a range of visas offered by Home Affairs, including both temporary and permanent employer nominated visas.
Application Process
Other State Skilled Occupations lists for 190 visa and 491 state sponsored regional visa
Select a state below to see it’s requirements:
Australia
State and territory requirements
Each state and territory has its own list of occupations, requirements and processes you must follow.
More information about the requirements and processes on how Australian states or territories nominate applicants is available.
