Move to South Australia released one of the longest Occupations List for 491 and 190 visas.

Move to South Australia (Move to SA) released its Skilled Occupation List for 491 and 190 visas on 4 February 2021. The list is the longest among all the states; it covers 23 categories with hundreds of occupations.

Move to SA will started accepting application from Sat, 8 February 2021.

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INDEX

• General Nomination Requirement
• 3 Priority Streams

1. Talent and Innovators Program

• Employment stream
• Start-up and small business stream
• High performing graduate stream
• Independent Talent

2. Currently working in South Australia(including long-term resident of SA)  

• Currently living and working in South Australia
• Living and working in regional South Australia
• Living and working in SA as a long-term resident （Stream One: International Graduates and Partners； Stream Two: Other temporary visa holders (excluding student and graduate visa holders) (eligible for a 491 nomination only)

          3. International Graduate of South Australia

•  Skilled Occupation List for South Australia

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General Nomination Requirement

1. Residency Requirements 

1.1  State nomination is provided to meet the State’s skills needs and is granted based on the applicant’s genuine interest and intention to live and work in South Australia. In submitting your application you are indicating that you intend to live and work in South Australia with a view to long-term settlement.  

1.2  If you are in Australia but not currently residing in South Australia, you are ineligible to apply for state nomination.  

1.3  If you are currently residing offshore, you are ineligible to apply for state nomination.  

2. Age  

You must be under age 45 at time of nomination.  

3. Occupation 

You must have an occupation on South Australia’s Skilled Occupation List and meet the eligibility requirements for that occupation. 

4. Skills Assessment 

4.1  You must have a valid and positive General Skilled Migration skills assessment from the relevant authority. Skills assessments must be for your nominated occupation. Refer to the Department of Home Affairs for more information on skills assessments. 

4.2  Skills assessments must have been issued within the last three years or if the skills assessing authority has specified a shorter validity period, the skills assessment is only valid until that specified date. The skills assessment must be valid at time of nomination decision.   

5. Work experience 

5.1  You must meet work experience requirement listed for your occupation.

5.2  Skilled work experience must be undertaken post-course completion and is defined as a minimum of 20 hours per week or 40 hours per fortnight of paid employment in your nominated or closely related occupation (some concessions apply if you are currently working in outer regional South  Australia, or you are a long-term resident of South Australia, or for specified occupations). Applicants already working in South Australia and South Australian graduates may be eligible for exemptions or waivers to the work experience requirement, as specified in the occupation requirements.

5.3  The position must be paid at the appropriate rate for the skill level.

6. English

6.1  You must meet minimum English language requirement listed for your occupation. Refer to the Department of Home Affairs for more information on English tests.

6.2  Some skills assessing authorities may have higher English language requirements that you will be required to meet. Please check with your skills assessing authority prior to applying.

6.3  If your occupation requires registration or licensing in South Australia, you will need to ensure you meet the English requirement set by the registration or licensing authority to work in South Australia. Occupations with registration requirements include trades, education and health professions. If higher English requirements are listed for your occupation on South Australia’s Skilled Occupation List, you do not need to meet the higher requirement if you are currently registered to practice in South Australia.

6.4  If you are a passport holder or citizen of the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada or New Zealand, you do not need to provide an English test result.

7. Points

7.1  You must meet minimum points requirement listed for your occupation (including state nomination points).

7.2  You will need to ensure you meet all Department of Home Affairs requirements and have documented evidence to support your points claim.

8. Priority Streams

1. Talent and Innovators Program  
2. Currently working in South Australia(including long-term resident of SA)  
3. International Graduate of South Australia 

3 Priority Streams

1. Talent and Innovators Program

Prospective applicants who meet the requirements below for the employment, small business & start-up and independent talent streams are encouraged to submit an Expression of Interest for the Talent and Innovators program via the Skilled & Business Migration portal. High performing graduates of South Australia can apply directly for state nomination (they do not need to submit an Expression of Interest application to Skilled & Business migration). 

1_a Employment stream

For highly skilled migrants working for South Australian businesses.  

Eligibility requirements with demonstrated evidence include: 

Your employer must: 

• Be a business in one of South Australia’s priority Growth State industry sector, or is an integral part of the supply chain supporting these priority sectors 
• Be an existing business for at least 12 months, and have a premise located and operating in South Australia for the last 12 months
• Have annual turnover of at least $4 million: 
• start-up companies may be exempt from the annual turnover requirement
• businesses who operate in  outer regional South Australia may be exempt from the annual turnover requirement
• Be a business of good standing and there must be no adverse information about the business.  

As the applicant: 

• You must be earning a high base salary threshold commensurate with the expectations of the talent program (at least $80,000 full time). An exemption to the salary threshold may be available for highly skilled applicants who are: 
  • working for a start-up
  • working for a business in outer regional South Australia
  • a recent graduate
• You must be in South Australia on an existing temporary visa, working for the business already  
• You are expected to have Proficient Plus English levels, however lower English levels may be considered in exceptional cases 
• You are expected to have considerable relevant work experience in the field, however limited experience may be considered in some cases
• Your employer must provide a short business case (maximum 2 pages) demonstrating how you, as the applicant: 
  • have the qualifications, specific skill set and relevant experience commensurate with the job  
  • will bring new ideas, skills and innovation to South Australia and can support local job creation
  • will contribute to South Australia’s priority Growth State industry sectors.   

1_b Start-up and small business stream

For entrepreneurial skilled migrants who have started their own business 

Eligibility criteria with demonstrated evidence includes: 

• Your business must be established in South Australia and operating in South Australia for the last 12 months and you must have resided in South Australia for at least the last 24 months
• If you are an existing SISA visa holder you must have an established business in South Australia for the last 6 months and resided in South Australia continuously during this time
• Your business must be able to give you a personal income that would meet the minimum taxable income requirementset by the Department of Home Affairs
• Businesses aligning with the priority Growth State industry sectors,will be favoured
• Businesses employing at least two employees (other than the applicant) on an ongoing full-time basis will be favoured
• You must provide a business case (maximum 2 pages) with: 
  • evidence of thorough research into, and understanding of the relevant industry conditions in South Australia 
  • how the business will be innovative, contribute to South Australia’s economic growth and can support job creation for South Australians.  
  • how the applicant's previous experience and qualifications will help the applicant successfully build their business in South Australia over at least 3 years 
• Self employed applicants must apply through this stream
• Only the business owner can apply through this stream. Business structures can include sole trader, partnership, company, and trusts
• Franchise businesses are ineligible for this stream. 

1_c High performing graduate stream

For high performing graduates who have completed their qualification at a South Australian higher education institution.  

Eligibility requirements include: 

• You must have completed the relevant Bachelor or higher qualification at a South Australian higher education provider in the last two years
• A minimum of 50% of your qualification must have been completed in South Australia
• Your South Australian qualification must be in the same field as your skills assessment and nominated occupation
• You must currently reside in South Australia and you must have continuously resided in South Australia post-course completion
• Applicants are expected to have at least Proficient English overall, unless specified higher for your occupation
• Your field of education will be taken into consideration. Applicants who have undertaken study in a health or natural or physical sciences field of education may be prioritised
• Your previous study and work experience may be taken into consideration
• You must provide a short summary of your skills and expertise (maximum 2 pages) demonstrating: 
  • how your skills and experience can contribute to South Australia’s priority Growth State industry sectors, or
  • how your area of study can contribute to South Australia’s research and commercialisation agenda
• If you have completed a PhD or Masters by Research degree: 
  • you can apply once your degree has been conferred
• If you have completed a Masters by Coursework degree: 
  • your Masters degree must be at least 78 CRICOS weeks
  • your Grade Point Average will be taken into consideration
  • a Grade Point Average of 6.0 or higher is generally required unless specified differently for your occupation. Please check your occupation for specific GPA requirements. Applicants with higher GPAs will be prioritised.
• If you have graduated with First Class Honours in a dedicated Honours year:
  • your Honours year must have followed the completion of a 92 CRICOS week Bachelor degree in South Australia  
• If you have graduated with a Bachelor degree:
  • your Bachelor degree must be at least 92 CRICOS weeks
  • your Grade Point Average will be taken into consideration
  • a Grade Point Average of 6.0 or higher is generally required unless specified differently for your occupation. Please check your occupation for specific GPA requirements. Applicants with higher GPAs will prioritised. 

1_d Independent Talent

Eligibility requirements with demonstrated evidence for this stream include: 

• You must be residing in South Australia 
• You are expected to have at least 95 points (including state nomination points) in your Expression of Interest (EOI) on SkillSelect, however lower points may be considered in exceptional cases
• You are expected to have Proficient Plus English levels, however lower English levels may be considered in exceptional cases
• You are expected to have considerable relevant work experience in your field, however limited experience may be considered in exceptional cases
• You must submit a business case (maximum 2 pages) demonstrating:   
  • How your skills and experience can make a contribution to South Australia, particularly the priority Growth State industries
  • Your knowledge of South Australia’s employment or business opportunities relevant to your occupation and field of expertise
  • Additional details of any skill sets, courses, qualifications, experience or awards relevant to your field of expertise
• Applicants who meet the critical skills and sectors listed by  the Commonwealth Governmentwill be prioritised.  

2. Currently working in South Australia (including long-term resident of SA)  

2_a Currently living and working in South Australia

You must be working at least 20 hours per week or 40 hours per fortnight in your nominated or closely related occupation in South Australia for the duration required for your nominated occupation, unless specified differently for your occupation. If you are working part time (less than 35 hours per week) you may be offered a 491 nomination.  

For the purpose of state nomination, closely related occupation is defined as within the ANZSCO 2-digit level. Where specified for your nomination occupation, other occupations may also be considered closely related. A skilled occupation in the same industry as your nominated occupation may also be considered as a closely related occupation. 

If you are applying for subclass 491 nomination, you must be currently working for the last 6 months in South Australia, unless specified differently for your occupation. 

If you are applying for subclass 190 nomination, you must be currently working for the last 12 months in South Australia, unless specified differently for your occupation. 

You must meet the Department of Home Affairs requirements for the 491 or 190 visa subclasses  

You must meet the state nomination requirements and the specific requirements listed for your nominated occupation. 

If you are a 457, 482 or 494 visa holder with more than 12 months remaining on your visa, you must provide a letter from your current employer consenting to your state nomination application. 

2_b Living and working in regional South Australia

Concessions and waivers to the work experience requirements are available for applicants who are living and working in outer regional South Australia. 

To be considered to be working in outer regional South Australia, you must be employed and residing in an area outside of Greater Adelaide. View the full list of eligible postcodes. 

If you are living and working in outer regional South Australia, you may be eligible for the following waivers or reductions to the skilled work experience requirements. 

If you are currently residing and working for the last 12 months in outer regional South Australia in any occupation (does not have to be a skilled occupation nor related to your nominated occupation) you may be eligible to be nominated for a 491 visa nomination.   

If you are currently residing and working in outer regional South Australia and you are unable to meet the published requirements, you are still encouraged to submit an application. Reasons for being unable to meet the published requirements include visa expiry, losing points for age, or working less than 20 hours per week or 40 hours per fortnight. You should include a letter of support from your employer and a submission outlining why you should be considered for nomination. Applications will be considered on a case by case basis

2_c Living and working in SA as a long-term resident

Long-term residents who are living and working in South Australia are eligible for waivers to the skilled work experience requirements. 

Stream One: International Graduates and Partners  

• If you are a former international graduate of South Australia or a partner of an international graduate of South Australia, currently residing in South Australia and: 
• you have resided continuously in South Australia (at time of state nomination application) 
• for the last 3 years for subclass 491, or 
• for the last 5 years for subclass 190, and 
• you are currently working for the last 12 months in South Australia in any skilled occupation, including all Skill Level 1, 2, 3 occupations and Skill Level 4 Carers and Aides occupations (the occupation you are working in does not have to be related to your nominated occupation) 
• your skilled work experience over the last 12 months in South Australia must be at least 20 hours per week or 40 hours per fortnight. 

Stream Two: Other temporary visa holders (excluding student and graduate visa holders) (eligible for a 491 nomination only)

• You have resided in South Australia for at least 7 years (at time of state nomination application) and continue to reside in South Australia 
• You must be currently working for the last 12 months in South Australia in any occupation (does not have to be a skilled occupation or related to your nominated occupation)
• Your work experience over the last 12 months in South Australia must be at least 20 hours per week or 40 hours per fortnight. 

3. International Graduate of South Australia

To be eligible for the International Graduate of South Australia (SA Graduate) pathway, the following study requirements apply:  

• Your South Australian course must be CRICOS registered, with a minimum of 46 CRICOS weeks
• A minimum of 50% of your qualification must have been completed in South Australia
• You must have resided in South Australia for at least one year during your period of study
• You must have continuously resided in South Australia post-course completion
• You must meet the Department of Home Affairs requirements for the subclass 491 or subclass 190 visa
• You must meet the nomination requirements outlined here and as listed for your nominated occupation
• You must meet any course requirements or minimum qualification levels listed for your occupation 
• To be eligible for subclass 491 or 190 nomination, SA graduates must be currently working in their nominated or closely related occupation for the last 3 months in South Australia (post-course completion), unless specified differently for your occupation
• Where specified, some occupations may require longer work experience requirements.
• For the purposes of state-nomination, closely related occupation is defined as within the ANZSCO2-digit level. Where specified for your nomination occupation, other occupations may also be considered closely related. A skilled occupation in the same industry as your nominated occupation may also be considered as a closely related occupation. If you are claiming points for your work experience in your SkillSelect EOI, please ensure you meet the Home Affairs requirements to claim points
• Research work undertaken as part of your PhD will not be accepted as skilled work experience
• You must be working at least 20 hours per week or 40 hours per fortnight in your nominated or closely related occupation in South Australia for the duration required for your nominated occupation, unless specified differently for your occupation. If you are working part time (less than 35 hours per week), you may be offered a 491 nomination. 
• Skilled Work Experience Waivers are available

Skilled Occupation List for South Australia

https://www.migration.sa.gov.au/occupation-lists/south-australia-skilled-occupation-list

South Australia is very friendly to its graduates and residents who are already working and living here. It offers nomination to a great range of occupations, which include

Registered Nurse nec – 254494

Café or Restaurant Manager – 141111

 Child Care Centre Manager        134111

Supply and Distribution Manager           133611

ICT Project Manager      135112

Cafe or Restaurant Manager      141111

Customer Service Manager        149212

Marketing Specialist      225113

Web Designer   232414

Civil Engineer 233211

Geotechnical Engineer 233212

Quantity Surveyor 233213

Structural Engineer 233214

Transport Engineer 233215

Industrial Engineer 233511

Mechanical Engineer 233512

Production or Plant Engineer 233513

Do you need help?

Our team of experienced Immigration Lawyers and Migration Agents look forward to assisting you with your Australian visa or appeal.

Based in Adelaide South Australia, we provide Australian Immigration advice to people and businesses from all over the world.

If you require further information regarding your Australia visa options you can contact us through:

(08) 8351 9956 or +61 8 8351 9956 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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The Australian Department of Home Affairs has updated their policies on 20 January 2021 so that Bachelor with Honours and Masters (both research and coursework) graduates are no longer eligible for invitation under the GTI program.

Prior to 20 January 2021, the Department’s policy had been that candidates with a Bachelor with Honours or a Masters from the last 3 years with high grades were considered “highly likely” to earn at or above the required threshold (the Fair Work High Income Threshold, currently $153,600). This is no longer the case.

While these qualifications no longer meet the requirements, candidates with those qualifications can still be invited if they are able to show through other evidence that they can attract the high salary.

I have already lodged a GTI EOI: does this affect me?

The change affects anyone who has not yet been invited into the program.

If you have submitted a Global Talent EOI on the basis of your Honours or Masters, you are not likely to be invited into the program unless you can show your earning potential in another way. 

I have already been invited, can I still apply?

People who have received an invitation to the Global Talent program can still submit the associated subclass 858 visa (the 124 visa was “consolidated into” the 858 visa on 14 November 2020) using their Global Talent Invitation Reference Identifier (commonly called UID) and Invitation Code.

Who is eligible?

The Global Talent program is being focused on working professionals and recent PhD graduates. In particular, those who can attract a very high salary in Australia will be considered favourably.

We understand that this will be disappointing for many candidates for the GTI program, especially those who are recent graduates in Australia.

Restricting the program in this way means there is likely to be more positions available for candidates who are earning or will earn a high salary.

I am an Honours or Masters Graduate: What can I do?

If you are Honours or Masters graduate who applied for Global Talent EOI, you would need to meet the requirements through other means in order to be invited.

If you could get employment or a job offer which provides a salary of $153,600 or more, you may still be able to get an invitation.

We appreciate that this is much easier said than done for recent graduates in a competitive job market.

Alternatively, you may need to look into other visa options which are more likely to be successful.

Overall, there appears to be an increasing focus on applicants who are earning a higher salary, those with a strong nominator and those with a practical, actionable plan for entering work in the target sector in Australia.

We understand many recent graduates who submitted in the FYE2021 had been waiting longer and longer to hear back on their EOIs. This change may help give applicants some clarity.

Comments by Chris Johnston: Lawyer and Registered Migration Agent: 

The GTI program has attracted many talented and skilled visa applicants. The government has increased the threshold to receive an invitation for GTI program visa, including: 

• Form 1000 – Nomination for Distinguished Talent updated in November 2020 to require more details to be provided  
• The processing time for GTI EOI forms to be considered has been delayed 

It is a disappointing news for those Bachelor graduates with honours and Master graduates who have not received GTI invitations.

However, if you can demonstrate the potential and ability to earn AUD153,600 with other evidenece, you may still be invited for GTI program.  More likely graduates will have to consider other visa pathways such as the 485 visa, General Skilled Migration (GSM) 189, 190 and 491 and employer sponsorship. 

Do you need help?

Our team of experienced Immigration Lawyers and Migration Agents look forward to assisting you with your Australian visa or appeal.

Based in Adelaide South Australia, we provide Australian Immigration advice to people and businesses from all over the world.

If you require further information regarding your Australia visa options you can contact us through:

(08) 8351 9956 or +61 8 8351 9956 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Subcribe to our facebook to get updated migration information: WORK VISA Lawyers 

Some changes have been announced by the Minister Alan Tudge on 19 December 2020. These changes might bring relief to Graduate Subclass 485 Post Study Work Stream (PSW) visa holders and students who wish to apply for 485 visa but are stuck outside Australia due to Covid19 pandemic.

Two major changes that have been announced include introduction of a second (Regional) Graduate Subclass 485 Post Study Work Stream visa and ability of applicants stuck outside Australia to be able to make 485 applications from offshore.

Second 485 PSW visa – for Regional Graduates

Applicants who have formerly studied in designated regional areas in Australia and who while holding 485 PSW visa lived in designated regional area for at least 2 years may be eligible to get another/second 485 PSW visa. Designated regional areas in Australia means anywhere but not Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

Main aim of the Australian Government behind these changes is the economic development of regional areas of Australia which will help strengthen the communities living in regional areas. Aim is to encourage students or 485 PSW visa holders to continue to live and work there.

This is to keep in mind that the changes are only for Post study work stream and not for the Graduate work stream. Graduate work stream visas remain the same.

Here are a few questions you may have in your mind:

Am I eligible for Regional Graduate Subclass 485 PSW visa?

If you have studied in any of the institutes in designated regional areas and you were granted a 485 PSW visa as a result of that study, and you have lived (worked or studied, if applicable) in a designated regional area in Australia from last two years, you may be eligible.

As immigration lawyers and registered migration agents, we are writing to consider the recent Daryl Maguire issues revealed in an ICAC enquiry in terms of the Australian Migration Act.

NOMINATION LEVELS ALLOCATED FOR 2020-21:

Victoria State Nomination update 05 February 2021 

Victoria Business Nomination opened on 4th January 2021 - 188 visa and 132 visa

Business innovation and investor visa nomination applications (subclass 188A, 188B, and 188E streams and subclass 132A and 132B streams) opened to new applications on 4th January 2021. Significant Investor (subclass 188C) visa nominations were opened on 30 November 2020 in Victoria.