Skilled (Nominated) visa (subclass 190)
Chain Migration? Well in our twenty years of operation we have never heard of such a term, but it is catchy. There used to be an Family Reunion pathway, but that was when I was a much younger man.
Does it mean you arrive in chains? Or perhaps it’s what will happen to you after you arrive? Fortunately neither of these, but it seems that if you have a family member in South Australia, you maybe eligible for the Chain Migration pathway via the General Skilled Migration – Skilled (Nominated) Visa (Subclass 190).
The chain migration nomination criteria for South Australia is as follows:
- Be under the age of 45 at the time of nomination decision
- Have an immediate family member in South Australia
- Nominate an occupation on South Australia’s State Nominated Occupation List or Supplementary Skilled List
- Meet any additional requirements for that occupation if applicable
- Have a suitable skills assessment for your nominated occupation
- Have at least one year of skilled work experience in the past three years
- Have at least competent English
- Have a Bachelor degree or higher qualification
- Have sufficient funds for settlement
- Commitment to living in South Australia for at least two year on the grant of the visa
I thought the whole idea of having family in Australia is that when you arrive you could bludge off them for survival, pitch a tent on their front lawn and stay their until you turned into a garden nome. How times have changes, now you need to show money in the bank to be independent.
Immediate family member
Of course to be able to pitch that tent, you will need to have an immediate family member in South Australia:
- Grandfather, grandmother, father, mother, brother, sister, or step/adoptive parent or sibling
- The family member must be over 18 years of age
- The family member must be an Australian permanent resident or citizen
- The family member must currently reside in South Australia and have resided in South Australia for at least the last 12 months
- The family member must complete a statutory declaration
Occupation list
For those who are fortunate to catch up again with your long lost family members in South Australia and meet the eligibility criteria for chain migration, congratulations, you meet “special conditions”. Chain migration applicants have access to the South Australia’s State Nominated Occupation List as well as the Supplementary Skilled List.
Furthermore, certain occupations on the South Australia’s State Nominated Occupation List are only available to those who meet special conditions. These occupations are marked in red as “special conditions apply” on the the South Australia’s State Nominated Occupation List.
Additional requirements
Some occupations have additional requirements on English level and/or work experience. If you are nominating an occupation that has higher English requirements or work experience, you must meet these requirements.
As in the above example, ICT Business Analysts are required to have at least proficient level English, or proficient plus overall scores, as well as score 70 points on the points test. Remember although chain migration applicants have access to additional occupations, they are required to meet any additional requirements.
Qualification
The applicant must have a Bachelor’s degree or higher qualification. This can be an Australian or overseas qualification. It must also be included and recognised in the applicant’s skills assessment.
Work experience
Work experience is defined as at least 20 hours per week of paid employment in a skilled occupation on the either the South Australia’s State Nominated Occupation List or Supplementary Skilled List. Work experience does not need to be in your nominated or closely related occupation unless your occupation requires additional work experience. Work experience must be post qualification.
If you are offshore and using work experience in Australia, you are only eligible to apply if at least 6 months of this has been achieved in South Australia.
If you are onshore and using work experience in Australia, you are only eligible to apply if at least 6 months of this has been achieved in South Australia and you are currently working in a skilled occupation in South Australia.
Funds for settlement
South Australia does not require proof that you have sufficient funds to settle, but may on discretion request for evidence.
How much do you need? Refer to the financial capacity section on South Australia’s website
Other special conditions
Don’t have a family member in South Australia? You might still meet one of the other “special conditions”
- International graduate of South Australia
- Have worked in a skilled occupation in South Australia for the last 12 months
- Have high points
International graduates of South Australia in additional to the access to more occupations, may also be eligible for work experience, financial and English waivers.
Learn more: South Australia State Sponsorship – International Graduate
