All skilled nominated visa policies in Australia have been sorted out for you!

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I believe that many students are concerned about the policies regarding the skilled work visas.

Below is a summary of the policies for each state in Australia:

NSW

Skilled Nominated visa (subclass190) requirements

  1. The 190 visa application process in NSW has basically not changed. EOI applications are accepted at any time throughout the fiscal year, and invitations will be issued irregularly throughout the fiscal year. The higher the EOI score, the sooner you will be invited!
  2. It requires the applicant to be engaged in work that is highly relevant to the nominated occupation in NSW, that is to say, to meet the requirements for additional work points. It should be noted that it is not necessary to meet the requirement of 1 year of work, and there is no need to add these 5 points immediately. As long as the nature of the applicant’s work and the nominated occupation are highly related, the EOI application can be submitted.
  3. The applicant only needs to live in NSW for 3 months to meet the submission requirements.
  4. The residency requirement can be waived as long as the work requirement is met. However, the EOI score is still very important.

NSW skilled occupation lists for 190 visa

There are 4 categories:

  • Managers 
  • Professionals 
  • Technician and Trades Workers
  • Community and Personal Service workers

NSW has expanded the scope of the occupation list to classify occupations with ANZSCO four digits, as long as the first four digits are the same, they can meet the conditions.

More than 230 occupations are covered on the NSW Occupation List for the new financial year. The application requirements will be met as long as the person has lived in NSW for three months or currently has a related job.

Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491)

491 visa application has been closed but it will be opened in January next year!

Applicant can submit an ROI by completing the online form from the NSW government website.

  1. You need to prepare the information as required:
    • Submit an EOI application at Immigration and select NSW
    • Choose one of the 3 NSW 491 application types mentioned above that best suits you
    • Select the RDA Office you want to prefer, and you can also choose the second or third RDA Office
    • Make sure all submitted information is correct
  2. Click to enter the online form and fill in truthfully and as required.
  3. The applicant completes the EOI application and successfully completes the ROI form on the NSW official website
  4. The NSW government will have four submission windows this financial year
  5. Selected applicants will be notified of their invitation up to 7 days after each submission window closes
  6. The applicant submits a state nomination application to the designated RDA Office within 14 days of receiving the invitation notice

Nomination criteria

Applicants must meet all criteria in one of the following three categories to be eligible to be invited to apply for NSW 491 State Sponsored nomination.

Applicants must meet all criteria in one of the following three nomination streams to be eligible for NSW nomination:

Stream 1 – Living and working in Regional NSW

To be eligible under Stream 1 you must:

  • hold a valid skills assessment for an occupation that appears on the Stream 1 combined occupation list
  • have been living and working in your nominated (or closely related) occupation in a designated regional area of NSW for the past twelve months for a minimum 20 hours per week

Stream 2 – Recently completed study in Regional NSW

To be eligible under Stream 2 you must:

  • hold a valid skills assessment for an occupation that appears on your preferred region’s occupation list
  • have completed study in the past 24 months where:
    • you are eligible to claim points for ‘study in regional Australia’ on the basis of study in Regional NSW, and
    • your qualification is assessed as closely related to your nominated occupation by the relevant assessing authority

Stream 3 – Skilled in an occupation required in Regional NSW

To be eligible under Stream 3 you must:

  • hold a valid skills assessment for an occupation that appears on your preferred region’s occupation list

Victoria

Last financial year, both 190s and 491s required applicants to live and work in Victoria, and each had a different nominated occupation field. In the new financial year, Victoria continues to screen applicants who live and work in the state, but the application requirements have changed:

  1. Removed minimum work experience and working hours requirements.
  2. Increased the number of target areas.
  3. Applicants must possess STEMM skills and have a skill level 1 or 2 for the occupation. 491 Applicants are also required to have STEMM skills, but can be a level 3 occupation.

The eight target areas include：

1. Health

Professionals who provide medical services, and those involved in related education and research and development, do not necessarily have to be in a health profession (such as nurses) to be considered working in the health sector. For example, a developer who is developing software for a hospital would also be considered to be working in the health sector.

2. Medical research

This includes activities such as medical research at universities and research institutes, drug development, clinical trials, health product manufacturing, medical devices and digital health.

3. Life sciences

Such as the medical technology, biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, biotechnology lecturers working at universities, and companies involved in food processing, nutraceuticals and cosmeceuticals may also be considered part of the life sciences industry.

4. Digital Technology

Applicants in the digital field can only apply for a 491 nomination. Currently only applicants in cybersecurity can apply for the 190 nomination.

If you do not have cybersecurity skills but use digital skills in another target industry, you may still be selected to apply for 190, such as a software engineer working in medical research.

5. Agri-food

The agri-food sector includes highly skilled personnel dedicated to developing food growth and production, as well as modernizing the agri-food sector. Applicants must use their STEMM skills to perform innovative work within the industry, which may include R&D or advanced manufacturing.

6. Advanced Manufacturing

Entering the manufacturing industry, including industries such as defense and aerospace, must use STEMM skills to enhance innovation, which may include activities such as R&D, design, supply chain management, etc., through the use of technology to improve global competitiveness.

7. New energy, emission reduction and circular economy

This includes industries such as clean energy, renewable energy, bioenergy, carbon capture and energy storage. Applicants can use their STEMM skills to support waste reduction, pollution reduction, environmental protection, and more.

8. Creative industries

Victoria’s creative industries include areas as diverse as arts and culture, design, gaming and film. The creative industries are culturally, economically and socially significant to Victoria and vital to its future development.

Victoria emphasizes that applicants must have STEMM skills and work in the targeted field. Applicants for STEMM jobs in commercial areas such as Parkville, Footscray, Docklands, etc. will be valued.

190 visa requirements

  • Submit ROI
  • Live and work in Victoria
  • Use STEMM skills to work in targeted areas in Victoria
  • Under 45
  • Competent English at least
  • Have a valid career assessment
  • EOI of at least 65 points

491 visa requirements

  • Submit ROI
  • Live and work in regional Victoria
  • Use STEMM skills to work in targeted areas in Victoria
  • Under 45
  • Competent English at least
  • Have a valid career assessment
  • EOI of at least 65 points

Queensland 

Starting from February 1, 2021, the Queensland government will only invite 190 and 491 visa applicants who are in Australia and currently working in Queensland.

190 visa requirements

Applicants with an EOI of 80 or more are given priority.

Queensland government will give priority to 18 occupations on the PMSOL list (see below). 

In addition, the applicant must also be currently working in Queensland for at least 6 months; and the applicant needs to obtain a 12-month job offer from the employer related to the nominated occupation.

491 visa requirements

Queensland government has stated that applicants need to achieve an EOI of 65 points or above. Likewise, only onshore applicants working in Queensland will be considered.

491 nominations are open to COVID-19 critical technologies or industries:

  • Air Ambulance, Critical Medical, Medical Technology
  • Engineering, Critical Infrastructure, Supply Chain
  • Telecommunications, Film & Television Production
  • Maritime Industry, Agricultural Technology, Food Technology
  • Mining, Emerging Technology, Financial Technology, and
  • Large Scale Manufacturing

In addition, the applicant must include a detailed description of the employer and applicant’s job position, and how the position will assist in Covid-19 response or recovery.

In addition, applicants must work in regional Queensland for at least 3 months and have a 12-month job offer from an employer relevant to the nominated occupation.

Occupations that fall into these key areas:

Each state nomination must be justified based on the applicant’s potential to contribute to the state’s economic recovery. Applicants will need to demonstrate how they meet this requirement.

491 Small Business Owner requirements

Applicant needs to submit a 491-Small Business Owner Assessment Form before submitting an expression of interest (EOI).

Only one EOI can be submitted, the applicant can choose two visa categories (190 and 491) on one EOI at the same time, but the state government will evaluate the applicant according to these two categories, if the applicant meets the conditions of the 190 visa, that applicant will be nominated for the 190 visa.

Tasmania

For the new fiscal year, the Tasmanian quota is as follows:

  • 190 has a total of 1100 quotas
  • 491 has a total of 2200 quotas

Note: 500 of these places will be used for pending applications in 2020-21.

There are 500 places for overseas applicants. However, whether the overseas applications will be opened will depend on the opening of the border.

Tasmania’s skilled migration program supports Tasmanian businesses by attracting and retaining migrants with skills that employers really need. The Tasmanian Government actively pursues skilled and business migrants in recognition of the significant contribution migrants make to Tasmania’s economy and cultural diversity.

Tasmania will consider applications based on the following priorities:

  1. Candidates with employment and skills assessments related to key roles* (generally health, allied health, infrastructure engineering).
  2. Candidates with employment and skills assessments relevant to the Tasmanian Skilled Occupation List.
  3. Candidates working in other skilled jobs (ANZSCO Skill Level 1-3) and passing the relevant skills assessment.
  4. New business owners with substantial employment opportunities for local Australian citizens, permanent residents or temporary visa holders.
  5. All other eligible candidates who possess skills or training relevant to Tasmania’s needs and are able to make a real contribution to Tasmania through skilled employment.

Key roles:

  • Persons employed by the Tasmanian government who are directly assisting Tasmania’s COVID-19 response
  • Provide vital medical services, including all general nursing and medical positions in Tasmania Health
  • Provide a highly skilled and specialized role in:
    • Infrastructure engineering and maintenance such as dams, large/highly complex bridges, irrigation schemes, transport logistics planning and maintenance
    • Animal husbandry, such as artificial insemination technicians, livestock pregnancy scanners, and
    • Without applicants, the supply of essential goods and services will be threatened.

Less-skilled jobs, such as retail workers, harvest labor, delivery drivers or warehouse workers, are not included in key roles.

Graduate requirements

  1. EOI 65 points
  2. Receive career assessments for the occupations (all occupations are invited)
  3. Completed 1 year of study in Tasmania – for 491 visa
  4. Completed 2 years of study in Tasmania – for 190 visa
  5. Employment is not necessary

However, evidence of employment or business operation will be taken into consideration:

  • Whether the employer has been operating in Tasmania for at least 12 months
  • Whether the applicant has been employed for more than 3 months
  • The applicant-owned business has been in operation for at least 6 months, or
  • If the candidate has been employed in the dairy, meat, accommodation, logistics or agriculture industry for at least 6 months prior to submitting an application for nomination, they should have completed a relevant course training of at least Cert III (or equivalent training provided by industrial peak bodies)

Working in Tasmania requirements

  1. Your employment must be in an occupation listed on the Tasmanian Skilled Occupations List (TSOL)
  2. Your employment needs to be at least 35 hours per week in one full-time job or in two or more part-time jobs and you are able to provide evidence of your employment claims
  3. Work for 3 months – can apply for the 491 visa
  4. Work for 6 months – can apply for 190 visa

Small Business Owner requirements

  • The business needs to be stably operated in Tasmania for more than 6 months
  • Must be 100% owned business
  • Not in low-skilled industries such as pizza restaurants, sushi restaurants, massage parlors, service stations, etc.

South Australia

State nomination requirements

  • Residency Requirements: In submitting the application the applicant has to indicate that he or she intend to live and work in South Australia with a view to long-term settlement 
  • Age: Must be under age 45 at time of nomination 
  • Occupation:  Applicant must have an occupation on South Australia’s Skilled Occupation List and meet the eligibility requirements for that occupation
  • Skills Assessment:  Must have a valid and positive General Skilled Migration skills assessment from the relevant authority. Skills assessments must be for your nominated occupation. Usually, skills assessments must have been issued within the last three years
  • Work experience: 
    • Must meet work experience requirement listed for your occupation;
    • Work experience is defined as post-study work experience with no less than 20 hours per week or no less than 40 hours per fortnight in paid work
    • The work experience needs to be highly related to the nominated occupation – Applicants who graduated and worked in SA may be eligible for an exemption
    • Salary should meet reasonable salary level
  •  English:
    • Applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements for the nominated occupation
    • If the vocational assessment agency has special requirements for English, it is necessary to meet the English requirements of the vocational assessment at the same time
    • If the applicant’s occupation requires registration or licensing in South Australia, you will need to ensure that the English language requirements for working in South Australia as set by the registration or licensing body are met
    • If a higher English language requirement for an occupation is listed in the South Australian Occupation List, the higher requirement does not need to be met if the applicant is currently registered to practise in South Australia
  • EOI Points: Must meet minimum points requirement listed for your occupation (including state nomination points).

Graduate requirements

  • The South Australian course taken must be CRICOS registered for at least 46 weeks
  • Half of the course must be completed in South Australia
  • Must have lived in South Australia for at least one year while studying
  • Must be residing in South Australia at the end of the course
  • The applicant’s occupation must be within the ANZSCO 2-digit level. Occupation nominations within this range may also be considered closely related occupations.
  • Working hours must be at least 20 hours per week, or in a nominated or closely related occupation in South Australia, 40 hours per fortnight for the hours you require, unless your occupation rules differ. Applicants working part-time (less than 35 hours per week) may receive a 491 nomination.

Working in South Australia requirements

  • If you want to apply for 491 visa, you need more than 6 months of work experience in South Australia (unless there are additional requirements for the nominated occupation)
  • If you want to apply for 190 visa, you need more than 12 months of work experience in South Australia (unless there are additional requirements for the nominated occupation)

Note:

  1. The work experience must be obtained after obtaining the relevant qualifications, unless the nominated occupation has different requirements, and the working hours are 20 hours per week or more than 40 hours per fortnight.
  2. If you work less than 35 hours per week, you may only get a 491 visa nomination (especially for accounting majors)
  3. Must meet the specific requirements of the nominated occupation and the basic requirements of the state, and the specific requirements in the occupation list.

Currently living and working in regional South Australia:

  • If the applicant has been working and living in remote areas of South Australia for more than 12 months, (it does not need to be skilled work), and the working hours are also moderately exempted;
  • If the applicant cannot meet the state requirements (including: visa expiration, age bonus reduction, or working less than 20 hours per week or less than 40 hours per fortnight, etc.), but currently working and living in remote areas of South Australia, he or she can attach a letter of support from the employer and a letter of personal explanation, and the state government will consider whether to invite or not.

Australian long-term resident:

  • You are an international graduate (and spouse) of South Australia and must have work experience (Skill level 1-3, and Skill Level 4 Carers and Aides) in any occupation currently in South Australia for more than 12 months (work experience does not need to be related to the nominated occupation), 20 hours per week or more than 40 hours per fortnight.
    1. Those who have lived in South Australia for more than 3 years can apply for 491
    2. Those who have lived in South Australia continuously for more than 5 years can apply for 190
  • You have resided in South Australia for at least 5 years (at time of state nomination application) and continue to reside in South Australia  
    1. 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)
    2. Your 12 months work experience in South Australia must be at least 20 hours per week or 40 hours per fortnight 
    3. Applicants are eligible for a 491 nomination only

The Talent and Innovators program

High performing graduate stream: 

  • You need to apply within two years of completing your studies. The courses taken in South Australia account for more than half of the total courses. The qualifications must be in the same field as the nominated occupation, and you must continue to live in South Australia after graduation.
  • IELTS 4 out of 7
  • Areas such as Health/Natural/Physical Science will be prioritized
  • Past study and work experience will be taken into account
  • Provide a personal statement (how to contribute to a priority development area; or South Australian research and commercialisation reform),
  • You can apply for a doctoral or research master’s degree
  • 78 weeks or more of registration on CRICOS for a taught master’s degree, with a GPA of 6.0 or above (unless there are additional requirements for the nominated occupation)
  • A first-class honours bachelor’s degree must be obtained after the completion of a bachelor’s degree (92 weeks or more registered on CRICOS)
  • Undergraduate degree – registered on CRICOS for at least 92 weeks, with a GPA of 6.0 or higher (unless additional requirements for nominated occupation).

Employment stream:

  • Employer requirements
    • Must or support companies in South Australia’s priority areas of development, including: tourism, international education, defense, food, wine and agriculture, high technology, energy and mining, aviation, and innovative industries
    • Must have been operating in South Australia for more than 12 months and have a place of business
    • Exemption from the annual turnover requirement for start-ups or companies operating in the outer regions of South Australia with an annual turnover of more than A$4 million.
  • Applicants requirements
    • Annual salary of 80,000 Australian dollars or more, or meet the high salary exemption conditions:
      • The business is a start-up
      • Company in remote South Australia
      • A recent graduate   
      • Already hold an existing temporary visa to work for the company in South Australia
      • IELTS 4 out of 7.5, lower in some cases
      • Extensive relevant work experience in the field
      • Employers must provide a letter of support.

Start up and small business stream:

  • The business must have been established and operated in South Australia for at least 12 months and the applicant has lived in South Australia for at least 24 months
  • SISA visa holder who has established and operated a business in South Australia for more than 6 months and has lived in South Australia continuously
  • Income from the business meets the minimum taxable income requirements
  • Companies in South Australia’s priority development sectors (including: tourism, international education, defence, food, wine and agriculture, high technology, energy and mining, aviation, innovation industries) will be given priority consideration
  • Preferably have more than 2 full-time employees (except applicants)
  • Must provide a business plan
  • Self-employed persons must apply through this channel
  • Only the business owner can apply, the business type can be sole proprietorship, partnership, company or trust. Chain store operations are not eligible.

Independent talent stream:

  • Live in South Australia, and have an EOI score of 95 or more (including the state’s bonus points), which may be reduced in special circumstances
  • IELTS 4 with 7.5
  • Relevant work experience in the field
  • Provide business plan
  • Occupations that meet critical skills and sectors will be prioritized.

Overseas applicants:

  • Currently only certain technical and medical occupations are accepted. For example 252712 Speech Pathologist, 251211 Medical Diagnostic Radiographer, 321211 Motor Mechanic. Usually, it requires a minimum EOI of 80 points, a minimum of 5 years of work experience or a minimum of 8 years of work experience in a related industry, and only 491 applications are accepted.

Technology category (such as Fitter, Automotive Electrician):

  • Five years of relevant work experience in eight years, EOI 65 points, English score 4 IELTS 6 points, can only apply for 491 visa.
  • If IELTS has 4 8s, EOI 90 and 8 years of work experience, it will be prioritized.

Health category (such as physiotherapist):

  • Five years of relevant work experience in the eight years, EOI 80 points, English score 4 IELTS 8, can only apply for 491visa.

ACT

Quota

There are 600 places for the 190 visa and 1400 places for the 491 visa.

Application requirements

190 or 491 visas correspond to different conditions. In short, 190 visa is a one-step PR; while 491 visa is a quasi-PR, with a 5-year visa, 3 years of which meet the requirements of $53,900 per year of pre-tax income and living in remote areas, you can transfer to PR.

Application process

  • Step 1:
    • Applicants need to score themselves in the Canberra Matrix system, or report their scores to the state government. It has a drop-down menu and applicants can only select one option from the menu that suits their situation. This step does not require any evidences to be submitted.
  • Step 2:
    • After receiving the invitation from the Canberra government, the applicant needs to submit evidences within 14 days to prove the scores that they claim to have in the Canberra Matrix system. After the state government receives the evidences, it will take about one and a half months to review, and finally make a decision to nominate.
    • If the nomination has been successful, the applicant will receive an invitation. This invitation is used to apply for 190 visa. The Department of Home Affairs manages the visa application process.

190 visa application requirements

Before submitting the application, the applicant must maintain uninterrupted full-time employment with pay for 6 months (at least 35 hours per week) and must meet one of the following:

  1. The nominated occupation appears as ‘OPEN’ on the ACT Occupation List
  2. Former 457/482 main visa holders in the ACT (at least 1 year visa validity before the date of Matrix application)

491 visa application requirements

  1. Applicants must have lived in the ACT for at least 3 months before submitting their application and have stayed until invited. A brief visit to the ACT will not satisfy the requirement.
  2. Before submitting the application, the applicant must maintain uninterrupted work for at least 3 months (at least 20 hours per week)
  3. The nominated occupation must be on the occupation list or a 457 or 482 employer-sponsored occupation

Small Business Owner:

  • Residence requirements: Have lived in Canberra for at least 6 consecutive months before submitting the Matrix
  • Business requirements:
    • As the main shareholder of an ACT local registered business (holding more than half of the ownership), the business needs to be in operation for at least 6 months.
    • The annual turnover (turnover) of the business is at least 200,000 Australian dollars (less than one year is calculated proportionally)
    • During this period, the business needs to be profitable
  • Employment Requirements:
    • The applicant needs to receive a salary of at least $26,000 from the business for 6 months as the main shareholder (the applicant must have full-time work authorization)
    • At least one Australian citizen/PR/New Zealand citizen must be employed for at least 13 weeks prior to submitting the Matrix and work no less than 20 hours per week. But hiring doesn’t need to be ongoing, and it doesn’t have to be done by the same person.

491 visa requirements

  • Residence requirements: Lived continuously for at least 3 months before submitting Matrix
  • Business requirements:
    • As the main shareholder of an ACT local registered business (holding more than half of the ownership), the business needs to be in operation for at least 6 months.
    • The annual turnover of the business is at least 200,000 Australian dollars (100,000 Australian dollars for half a year)
    • The business needs to be profitable during the period
  • Employment Requirements:
    • The applicant needs to receive a salary of at least $13,000 from the business for 3 months as the main shareholder (the applicant does not need to have full-time work authorization for the visa, and the student visa is also acceptable)
    • At least one Australian citizen/PR/New Zealand citizen needs to be employed, employed for at least 13 weeks before submitting the Matrix and works no less than 20 hours per week. But hiring doesn’t need to be ongoing, and it doesn’t have to be done by the same person

Note: For a 6-month operation, at least two BASs need to be submitted, and for a 12-month operation, 4 copies are required. Also, some businesses are not recognized by the Canberra government, such as sub-leasing, Uber, taxi drivers, takeaways, etc.

Western Australia 

In the new financial year, Western Australia split the General Stream list into two, becoming WASMOL Schedule 1 and WASMOL Schedule 2. A large number of nominated occupations have been added and many of which are popular majors that students are studying. Most of these majors support 190 and 491 visa applications. Out-of-state graduates also have the opportunity to obtain the Western Australia 190 visa.

If the applicant’s nominated major is in WASMOL Schedule 1, the application requirements are as follows:

  • The applicant is currently residing in Australia
  • The nominated occupation on the WA Schedule 1 occupation list
  • Applicants are able to meet one of the following job requirements:
    • At least one year of Australian work experience in the past 10 years; or at least three years of overseas work experience in the nominated occupation in the past 10 years
  • Meet the minimum English language requirements
  • Get a full-time employment contract in Western Australia for 12 months or more

If the applicant’s nominated major is in WASMOL Schedule 2, the application requirements are as follows:

  • The applicant is currently residing in Australia
  • The nominated occupation is on the WA Schedule 2 occupation list
  • Meet the minimum English language requirements
  • Receive a full-time employment contract in Western Australia for 12 months or more

If the applicant is a WA graduate, the application requirements are as follows:

  • The applicant is currently residing in Australia
  • The nominated occupation on the Graduate Occupation List (GOL)
  • Completion of at least two years of full-time study at C3 or higher in Western Australia.
  • The applicant is able to meet one of the following job requirements:
    • At least six months of Australian work experience in the past five years
  • Have a work contract in Western Australia that is related to the nominated occupation for more than six months
  • Meet the minimum English language requirements:
    • The minimum language requirement for ANZSCO group 1 (manager) or group 2 (professional) is an average IELTS 7 or PTE 65
    • The minimum language requirement for ANZSCO Group 3-8 is an average IELTS 6 or PTE 50

Northern Territory

There are 2 categories:

  1. Northern Territory graduates
  2. Applicants already living in the Northern Territory

1. Northern Territory graduates

Applicants who meet the following criteria will be eligible for NT 190 nomination:

  • Completion of more than 2 years of study in the Northern Territory (can be 1 or more relevant courses);
  • Have lived in the Northern Territory for a continuous period of at least 6 months after the last course completion date, while holding a visa that allows full-time employment (this requirement does not apply to all courses completed before Term 1 2020 and a letter of completion in 2020 applicants before August 1);
  • Demonstrate that efforts have been made to find jobs that are highly relevant to the nominated occupation.

International graduates who are unable to reside in the Northern Territory for 6 months after completing two years of study in the Northern Territory will only be considered for NT 491 nominations. Applicants must provide evidence that they have made an effort to find employment in NT that is highly relevant to their nominated occupation.

2. Applicants already living in the Northern Territory

Applicants already residing in the Northern Territory include those who hold a temporary visa with work rights and are currently residing in the Northern Territory.

Applicants applying for NT 190 nomination must meet the following requirements:

  • Have lived in the Northern Territory for at least 2 consecutive years prior to lodging the application;
  • None of the secondary applicants are resident in any other state or territory in Australia;
  • Full-time employment in the Northern Territory that is highly relevant to the nominated occupation for at least 2 years prior to applying for a NT 190 nomination, with at least a 12-month contract remaining.

Applicants applying for NT 491 nomination must meet the following requirements:

  • Applicants who began to live in the Northern Territory before July 1, 2020:
  • Have lived in the Northern Territory for at least 6 consecutive months prior to lodging the application;
  • None of the secondary applicants are resident in any other state or territory in Australia;
  • Full-time employment in the Northern Territory that is highly relevant to the nominated occupation for at least 6 months prior to applying for a NT 491 nomination, with at least 12 months remaining on contract.

Applicants who started living in the Northern Territory on or after 1 July 2020:

  • Have lived in the Northern Territory for at least 12 consecutive months prior to lodging the application;
  • None of the secondary applicants are resident in any other state or territory in Australia;
  • Full-time employment in the Northern Territory that is highly relevant to the nominated occupation for at least 6 months prior to applying for a NT 491 nomination, with at least 12 months remaining on contract.

Highly relevant occupations are:

  • An occupation identified in the occupational assessment (ie nominated occupation), or
  • Occupations that are highly relevant to the nominated occupation. The majority of the position must be spent on tasks consistent with the skills and knowledge required for the nominated occupation.

Northern Territory employment must also meet the following additional requirements:

  • The position must be in the Northern Territory and the employer must have a record of trading in the Northern Territory for at least 12 months;
  • Positions located in shared workspaces are generally not given priority;
  • Salary must match the market average salary for the position.
  • Applicants who have worked full-time for at least 6 consecutive months in an ineligible occupation may be eligible for NT 491 nomination under exceptional circumstances if they can demonstrate the following:
    • The employer has made a genuine effort to recruit locally and the position cannot be filled by an Australian citizen or permanent resident (at a minimum, evidence should include a copy of the advertisement placed, and a statement from the employer detailing the number of applicants and why not recruiting Australian citizens or permanent residents);
    • The business really needs the position (at a minimum, evidence should include a detailed statement from the employer explaining the need for the position and how the vacancy was created);
    • Applicants demonstrate that they have made efforts to find jobs that are highly relevant to the nominated occupation (at a minimum, evidence must include copies/screenshots of relevant job applications and any feedback received).
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