The New South Wales government introduced a new criterion for 491 regional state sponsorship.
This criterion is designed to be consistent across all regional New South Wales however the individual Regional Development Australia (RDA) offices will have the ability to set their own occupation lists depending on their needs. Remember regional areas are defines by the Regional Designated Area (DRA) postcode ranges.
In all cases, you must have a valid skill assessment in your nominated occupation and be able to reach the minimum 491 visa pass mark which is currently set at 65 points.
The new nomination criteria has three eligibility streams;
1) Living and working in regional New South Wales,
2) Recently completed study in regional New South Wales,
3) Living and working outside of New South Wales.
Firstly, Living and working in regional New South Wales.
Potential applicants must;
- have been living in a designated regional area of NSW for at least the previous 12 months; and
- have been working in your nominated occupation, or a closely related occupation, in a designated regional area of NSW, for at least the previous 12 months.
Secondly, Recently Completed Study in Regional NSW
Potential applicants must;
- have completed study or education with an education provider, where:
- the study was completed within the previous 24 months;
- the education provider is located in a designated regional area in NSW;
- the study meets the Australian study requirement (as determined by Home Affairs from time to time); and
- the qualification obtained from this study has been assessed as closely related to your nominated occupation by the relevant assessing authority; and
- have lived in a designated regional area of NSW while completing your study.
Thirdly, Living and working outside of New South Wales
Potential applicants have three options to choose from;
A) Job Offer in Regional NSW
- have an offer for ongoing employment that is:
- in your nominated occupation, or a closely related occupation; and
- for a minimum term of 12 months and 35 hours of work per week;
- have an offer for ongoing employment from an employer that is:
- located in a designated regional area in NSW; and
- registered in Australia.
B) At least five years skilled employment experience (offshore Applicants)
Potential applicants must;
- have at least five years of skilled employment in such nominated occupation, or a closely related occupation.
C) Family ties in regional NSW
Potential applicants must have;
– have an immediate family member in a designated regional area in NSW who satisfies all of the criteria below:
- is either your grandfather, grandmother, father, mother, brother or sister (including by virtue of a step or adoptive relationship);
- at least 18 years of age;
- either an Australian Permanent Resident, an Australian Citizen or a NSW nominated provisional visa holder (489);
- currently residing in a designated regional area in NSW; and
- has been residing in a designated regional area in NSW for at least the previous 24 months,
- and you must ensure that your family member has completed a statutory declaration to confirm that they satisfy each of the above chain migration requirements.
Remember for last financial year the NSW government had in place similar guidelines, then near the end scrapped all of them and made it easier by people needing to just reside in any DRA of NSW. It would be wise not to expect that to occur again for this financial year. We can only hope that these guidelines will remain as they are for a while so potential applicants can plan their future with some degree of certainty.
Looking for options regarding 491 or 190 state sponsorship? We offer Skype, Zoom and phone consultations. Call +(02) 8054 2537, 0434 890 199 or book online today to speak to our migration specialists.
