Skilled Visa 491 and 190 Updates - Tasmania & WA Introduced Changes For Nomination Requirements
As we move forward to a new financial year, Australian states and territories are awaiting confirmation from the Australian Government for the nomination allocation for the 2022-2023 program year. Despite that, Tasmania and Western Australia have already released information regarding the changes to their skilled visa nomination requirements.
Tasmania State Nomination Update (Subclass 491 and 190 Visas)
Tasmanian Graduates and PhD holders
For subclass 491 and 190 visa nominations, mandatory work experience is no longer required as well as the removal of course and occupation restrictions. However, applicants will still be required to satisfy other factors such as living & studying in Tasmania and skills assessment requirements.
For PhD holders in Tasmania, the state has opened a new permanent residency pathway through the Global Talent Visa program which provides a better pathway for those who are currently studying PhD in Tasmania.
Changes for Skilled Employees
Tasmania skilled visa 491 and 190 changes for skilled employees:
Expanded list of occupations and employment for subclass 190 visa nomination
No occupation requirements for skilled visa subclass 491
Part-time employment to meet work experience requirements
Subcontractors with a related skills assessment are included in the skilled employment pathway.
Extended qualifying business operation/established time for Small business owners
Tasmania eases their nomination criteria for subclass 491 visa small business owner stream with where qualifying business operation time is extended from 6 months to 12 months for business operations that commenced after 15 April 2022. However, the extended qualifying criteria will not apply to those who already lodged their nomination application (we are still waiting for further announcement from Tasmania State).
States Nomination Requirement for Long-Term Residents
New nomination pathway for those who resided in Tasmania for an extended period with established business or employment.
For subclass 491 provisional visa nomination, you must be resided in Tasmania for at least 2 years.
For subclass 190 nomination, you must reside in Tasmania:
Business operators: for at least 2 years.
Employees: for at least 3 years
State Sponsorship for Overseas Candidates
There will be no occupation restrictions for overseas candidates who have a job offer.
Increased invitation from Skillselect for candidates who have skills needed by the Tasmanian businesses. There will be new industry skills-needs profiles for potential candidates to increase their chances of invitation.
Simplified eligibility requirements
Subclass 190 and Subclass 491 Visa
Not yet turned 45 years of age
Nominated an occupation on the relevant list of eligible skilled occupations
A valid and positive skills assessment for the nominated occupation
At least Competent English language proficiency
At least 65 points on the Department of Home Affairs points test.
Application process for Tasmanian nomination (Subclass 190 and Subclass 491 Visa)
Tasmania Application Gateway
Before applying for a nomination from Tasmania, you must submit a Registration of Interest (ROI) through the Migration Tasmania Gateway. The validity period for each registration is 6 months only. Once you comply with the Tasmania state nomination requirements, you may submit all your details to the gateway. From the details you enter, the gateway determines whether you meet the nomination requirements and compete against the priority attributes.
Tasmanian Skilled Employment Pathway priority attributes
Tasmania Gateway Pass - Time Period to Apply:
Gold Pass - You can immediately apply for the nomination when you receive a gold pass.
Green Pass - An invitation may be sent to you within the next 6 to 8 weeks when you receive a green pass. Waiting time for an invitation will depend on how many priority attributes you possess and the number of interests the Tasmanian Government has received. In case you do not receive an invitation within 6 months, you will need to complete a new registration in the gateway.
Red Pass - You cannot apply for the nomination if you receive a Red Pass as it means you do not meet the Tasmanian Government nomination requirements.
Western Australia State Nomination Update (Subclass 491 and 190 Visas)
There are 2 main streams for the Western Australia state sponsorship program:
General Stream with Schedule 1 and Schedule 2 - Western Australian Skilled Migration Occupation List (WASMOL)
Schedule 1 - WA visa subclass 190 and 491 nomination requirement:
The main requirement you need to meet for Schedule 1 state nomination is to claim and give evidence of work experience or related work experience in the nominated occupation over the last 10 years (at least a year in Australia or 3 years offshore)
A contract of employment (full-time work) for at least 12 months in the nominated occupation in WA
English requirements:
English Requirement Exemptions for candidates who hold a valid passport from
United Kingdom
Republic of Ireland
United States
Canada
New Zealand
Schedule 2 - WA visa 190 and 491 nomination requirement:
A contract of employment (full-time work) for at least 12 months in the nominated (or closely related) occupation in WA
English requirements and exemption is same as schedule 1
Graduate Stream
To receive an invitation to apply for 190 and 491 in WA, you must meet the following criteria:
You gained a Certificate III or higher qualification in WA. That includes the requirement to complete at least 2 years of full-time study in WA (A WA university, higher education provider, TAFE, registered training provider or English language provider).
At least six months of paid Australian work experience in the nominated (or closely related to) occupation over the past 5 years.
Have evidence of claimed work experience in their SkillSelect Expression of Interest (EOI) or;
Have a contract of employment (full-time work) in WA for at least 6 months for the nominated (or closely related to) occupation.
English requirements and exemption is the same as schedule 1 and 2
Other States Nomination updates:
Considered the strictest state throughout the pandemic, Victoria State is still waiting for the Government allocation to be confirmed before updating its nomination requirements. Meanwhile, other states (South Australia Nomination, Queensland, Northern Territory, New South Wales) has not yet published any updates on their policies for skilled migration program.
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