New South Wales State Nomination Criteria

NSW identifies occupations based on the current labour market needs, ensuring that skilled workers fill essential roles across various industries. The following occupations have been prioritised for the 2024-2025 migration program:

Eligibility Criteria for Subclass 190 Visa Nomination

Minimum Requirements

To be eligible for NSW nomination, you must satisfy the following key requirements:

  • Visa eligibility: You must meet all visa criteria set by Home Affairs for this visa.

  • Skills assessment: You need a valid skills assessment for an occupation that:

  • Residency: You must currently be residing either:

    • In NSW, with continuous residence for at least six months, or

    • Offshore, with continuous residence offshore for at least six months.

  • For onshore candidates

    be currently residing in NSW and  either:

    • have genuinely and continuously resided in NSW for the past three months, or

    • be gainfully employed in a long-term capacity in NSW in your nominated (or closely related) occupation for a minimum of 20 hours per week

  • For offshore candidates

    • have continuously resided offshore for the past three months, and

    • have a valid skills assessment for an occupation within an ANZSCO unit group that accepts offshore candidates

Eligibility Criteria for Subclass 491 Visa Nomination

There are three pathways to NSW nomination for the subclass 491 visa:

  • Pathway 1 – Apply if you’re currently employed with a regional NSW employer.

    • Ensure you meet both the visa and NSW nomination eligibility requirements before applying.

    • Your qualifying skilled employment in the six months immediately before applying must be:

      • In your nominated (or closely related) occupation; and

      • With the same regional NSW-based employer; and

      • Paid a minimum of the TSMIT salary rate from your qualifying employer in your nominated (or closely related) occupation at the time of application

      • our nominated occupation must be eligible for the Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491).

  • Pathway 2 – Be invited to apply by Investment NSW.

    • Ensure you meet both the visa and NSW nomination eligibility requirements before applying.

    • Be skilled in an occupation that is within an ANZSCO unit group identified on the NSW Regional Skills List

    • Be currently residing:

      • in NSW and have continuously resided in NSW for a minimum period of three months; or

      • offshore and have continuously resided offshore for a minimum period of three months.

  • Pathway 3 – Apply if you recently graduated from a Regional NSW institution.

    • Be related to your nominated (or closely related) occupation; and

    • Have been completed within the 2 years immediately before applying for NSW nomination; and

    • Qualify you to claim points for Study in Regional Australia

      • You must have at least 1 degree, diploma or trade qualification from an Australian educational institution that satisfies the Australian study requirement obtained while living and studying in an eligible area of regional Australia

    • Be skilled in an occupation that is within an ANZSCO unit group identified on the NSW Regional Skills List

    • Be currently residing:

      • in NSW and have continuously resided in NSW for a minimum period of three months; or

      • offshore and have continuously resided offshore for a minimum period of three months.