The New South Wales (NSW) Government has outlined its skilled migration program for 2024/25, providing a range of pathways for skilled professionals to live and work in the state. This guide covers the key details and eligibility criteria for NSW hopefuls.
Overview of the NSW 2024/25 Skilled Migration Program
The NSW program offers opportunities under two main visa categories, with a total number of 5000 spots:
3,000 spots for the Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190)
2,000 spots for the Skilled Work Regional Visa (subclass 491)
Key Pathways in the NSW Skilled Migration Program
Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)
Applicants must be invited by Investment NSW.
Residency Requirement: Applicants must have resided continuously either:
Onshore in NSW for a minimum of 6 months, or
Offshore for a minimum of 6 months.
Applicants need to be in occupations listed on the NSW Skills List 2024/25, prioritized based on the economic development needs of NSW.
Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491)
There are three distinct pathways under this visa type:
Pathway 1: Work in Regional NSW (Direct Application)
Who It's For: Applicants who have established employment with a regional NSW employer.
Minimum of 6 months of employment in regional NSW with one employer, in their nominated or a closely related occupation. Unlike other pathways, applicants are not limited to occupations on the NSW priority list.
TSMIT Concessions: Eligible occupations may qualify for TSMIT concessions (Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold), allowing a lower salary threshold in specific cases.
Pathway 2: Invited by NSW (Priority Occupations)
Invitation Only: Applicants must be invited based on occupations deemed a priority on the Regional NSW Skills List 2024/25.
Residency Requirement: Must have resided continuously:
Onshore in NSW for a minimum of 3 months, or
Offshore for a minimum of 3 months.
Pathway 3: Regional NSW Graduate (Direct Application)
Applicants must have completed a Bachelor's, Master's, or research degree (Master’s by Research or Ph.D.) in regional NSW within the last 24 months.
The qualification must be related to an occupation on the Regional NSW Skills List 2024/25.
Australian Study Requirement: The applicant must meet the Australian Study Requirement and be eligible to claim 5 points for studying in regional NSW.
Application Process
The application process for NSW skilled migration is as follows:
Expression of Interest (EOI): Submit an EOI in SkillSelect, indicating NSW as your preferred state. You can select a combination of subclasses (e.g., 189, 491, etc.) if applicable.
Invitation or Direct Application: Based on your selected pathway, you may be invited by NSW to apply, or you may be eligible to apply directly.
Nomination Assessment: Your application will be assessed by NSW against the points and criteria claimed in your EOI.
Final Decision: If successful, you will be nominated by NSW, and you can then apply for your visa through the Department of Home Affairs.
Program Timeline
The program’s key timelines are as follows:
September 2024: Program launch (NOTE, as of the date of this article the program has not yet commenced)
October to May: The program remains open with regular invitation rounds (every 2-3 weeks).
June 2025: The program closes, or until the allocation is exhausted.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I live in Sydney but work in Regional NSW?Yes, applicants living in Sydney but working in Regional NSW may still be eligible for Pathway 1, as long as they have an established work history with a regional NSW-based employer. Applicants must comply with visa conditions once the visa is granted.
Do I need to live in Regional NSW while applying?No, you do not need to live in regional NSW at the time of application. However, you must fulfill the residency requirement once your visa is granted.
For more detailed information, please get in touch:
Guney Migration Consultancy
Ceren Guney, Migration Lawyer
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