State Nominations Reopen for the 2024-2025 Financial Year: Key Updates and Opportunities

As the 2024-2025 financial year begins, several Australian states have reopened their skilled migration nomination programs. These programs are critical pathways for skilled migrants aiming to secure permanent residency in Australia. Below are the latest updates from the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, Western Australia and the Northern Territory.

>> ACT Skilled Migration Nomination Invitation Round

The 2024-25 allocation is 1,800 nomination places:

• ACT permanent 190 nomination: 1000 places
• ACT provisional 491 nomination: 800 places

You can express an interest in applying for ACT nomination by completing a score-based ‘Canberra Matrix’ where points can be claimed against specific criteria including skilled employment, English proficiency, formal qualifications, length of ACT residence / study, investment activity and close family ties, etc.

The Canberra Matrix is weighted to ensure that applicants who will make/have made a positive economic contribution to the Territory and/or have demonstrated a genuine commitment to the ACT are more likely to invited to apply for ACT nomination.

The Matrix will automatically expire six (6) months after date of submission if an invitation is not issued. Once a Matrix has lapsed, it cannot be reactivated.

On 8 August 2024, the ACT conducted a skilled migration nomination invitation round, issuing a total of 123 subclass 190 nominations and 116 subclass 491 nominations. The breakdown is as follows:

Canberra Residents:

• Matrix Nominating Small Business Owners:
  • Subclass 190: 1 invitation (Minimum matrix score: 125)
  • Subclass 491: 2 invitations (Minimum matrix score: 110)
• Matrix Nominating 457/482 Visa Holders:
  • Subclass 190: 7 invitations
  • Subclass 491: 1 invitation
• Matrix Nominating Critical Skill Occupations:
  • Subclass 190: 99 invitations
  • Subclass 491: 73 invitations

Overseas Applicants:

• Matrix Nominating Critical Skill Occupations:
  • Subclass 190: 16 invitations
  • Subclass 491: 40 invitations

The next invitation round is expected to be held before 27 September 2024. This round’s focus on critical skills highlights the ACT’s priority to address specific workforce needs within the territory.

>> Victoria’s 2024-25 Skilled Migration Program

Victoria has reopened its skilled migration program for new Registrations of Interest (ROIs) for subclass 190 and subclass 491 nominations. The 2024-25 program includes 5,000 nomination places, with a notable increase in subclass 491 allocations to support regional development.

Priority Sectors for 2024-25:

• Health
• Social Services
• Education (including Early Childhood)
• Construction
• New Energy
• Digital Economy (subclass 491)
• Advanced Manufacturing (subclass 491)
• Hospitality and Tourism (subclass 491)

For overseas subclass 491 applicants, the focus remains on Health, Social Services, and Education sectors, reflecting the state’s ongoing commitment to these critical areas.

Strategic Changes to the Registration of Interest (ROI) Process The 2024-25 program requires all applicants to submit a new Registration of Interest (ROI), as any previous submissions have expired. The ROI process remains highly competitive, with selection based on a combination of ranking factors such as age, English language proficiency, years of experience, and education level.

Annual Earnings Requirement:
For onshore applicants, Victoria also considers annual earnings as a ranking factor in its selection process. This highlights the importance of demonstrating your ability to contribute economically to the state. Ensuring your earnings information is accurately reflected in your ROI can significantly impact your chances of receiving a nomination.

At Augustine & Co. Immigration Lawyers, we understand the complexities of Victoria’s skilled migration program and the high stakes involved. With our expertise, you can ensure that your application is not only compliant but also strategically positioned to maximize your chances of success. Whether it’s preparing an accurate ROI, navigating the nuanced eligibility requirements, or addressing potential challenges, our team is here to guide you every step of the way.

>> South Australia’s 2024-2025 General Skilled Migration Program

South Australia’s General Skilled Migration (GSM) program for 2024-2025 is now open, with 3,800 nomination places available, including 3,000 for the subclass 190 visa and 800 for the subclass 491 visa. This year’s program features expanded occupation lists, with 464 occupations for onshore applicants and 427 for offshore applicants.

Onshore streams:

464 occupations are available for the onshore streams. ROIs will be reviewed throughout the year and successful applicants will receive an invitation to apply for state nomination through one of the following streams:

• Skilled Employment in South Australia stream – for applicants who have shown commitment to South Australia and have South Australian work experience in their skilled occupation. 
• South Australian Graduates stream – South Australia continues to retain those who have studied and work here in SA in their skilled occupation. 
• Outer Regional Skilled Employment stream – supporting the regions to address skills shortages in outer regional areas of South Australia, applicants working in the regions in their nominated or closely related occupation can apply through this stream. 

Offshore stream:

Prospective migrants residing offshore with skills in high demand in South Australia will be considered from their SkillSelect Expression of Interest (EOI) and if successful, they will be invited to apply for South Australian nomination. 

427 occupations are open to experienced overseas workers through this stream. 

South Australia anticipates that offshore invitation rounds will occur regularly throughout the program year – commencing at program opening and then at the end of each month from September 2024. Interested applicants should ensure that their EOI is current and up to date and that they have selected South Australia as the primary state of interest. 

Business Innovation and Investment Program:

South Australia is not open to applications for state nomination for the Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188). 

Business or investor migrants who already hold a provisional visa (subclass 188) can apply for nomination for the extension stream or permanent visa (subclass 888) if they meet the requirements. 

Key Focus Areas:

• Priority sectors include health, engineering, ICT, and education.
• Regular offshore invitation rounds are scheduled throughout the year, beginning in August 2024.

Working and Thriving in South Australia: South Australia offers a high quality of life with affordable living costs, excellent education options, and a welcoming community. The state is known for its family-friendly environment, vibrant cultural scene, and strong job market across various sectors.

>> Tasmania Skilled Migration 2024-25 Program

A total of 2860 nomination places have been issued this year as part of Tasmania’s allocation of state and territory nominated visa categories. These include:

Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa: 2,100 places

Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) visa: 760 places

Features of the 2024-25 Skilled Migration State Nomination Program

The 2024-25 program includes:

• Changes to priority attributes, including a reduction in green attributes and a new “orange-plus” attribute category.
• All occupations listed on the Australian Government’s subclass 190 and 491 list remain eligible for nomination in at least one program pathway.
• 18 new occupation groups, comprising 78 individual occupations, have been added to the Tasmanian Onshore Skilled Occupation List for the subclass 190 Tasmanian Skilled Employment pathway. Candidates with a skills assessment and directly related employment qualify for permanent visa nomination after six months of work.
• Changes to income thresholds in minimum eligibility requirement and priority attributes based on updates to Australian median and average earnings and the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold.
• An updated critical roles list (for gold priority in the Tasmania Skilled Employment, Skilled Graduate and Established Resident pathways).
• More detailed policy guidance in the Additional Information, Exclusions and Definitions section of the Migration Tasmania website.
• An increased service fee to apply for nomination to $360 (plus $36 GST). There is no charge to submit a Registration of Interest.

Change to priority attributes 

Green priority attributes have been reduced for the Tasmanian Skilled Employment, Skilled Graduate Established Resident and Business Owner pathways. Some previously green attributes have been moved to a new “Orange-Plus” category. This will provide greater certainty, allowing all Green pass holders to receive an invitation to apply for nomination within eight weeks of submitting a registration of interest.

Candidates with at least one Orange-Plus attribute will be issued an Orange pass. However, they will be noted internally by Migration Tasmania as a high priority and are highly likely to receive an invitation to apply for nomination within six months. The higher the number of Orange-Plus attributes a candidate attains, the sooner an invitation will be issued.

All subclass 190 candidates with at least one Orange-Plus attribute will be invited to apply for nomination this program year. Employment must be skilled to claim Orange-Plus attributes.

Overseas Applicant (Health Sector Job Offer) Pathway: Subclass 190 – Skilled Nominated Visa

To be considered for this pathway you must meet all the criteria below:

Minimum requirements: –

• You must have a health or allied health skills-assessment for an occupation within one of the 4-digit ANZSCO groups below.
• You must have received a formal job offer for a job that is based in Tasmania that is closely related to your nominated occupation.
• You, or any of your dependents must not have lived in another Australian state or territory within the last 12 months.
• Your employer must have a well-established business that has been actively operating in Tasmania for at least the past 12 months.
• Your wages and conditions must be no less favourable than those that would apply to an Australian citizen or permanent resident, and salary or wages must be at least equivalent to the local market salary rate.
• There must be a genuine and ongoing need for your position within the business and the capacity for the business to sustain your employment

>> Western Australia State Nominated Migration Program (SNMP) 2024-25 program year is now open

The Australian Government has allocated 5000 skilled visa nomination places to Western Australia for the 2024-25 program year.

Invitation rounds for the 2024-25 program year are anticipated to be held the first week of each month, commencing in August 2024.

The Western Australian state nominated migration program is now open and the Western Australian government will continue to waive the $200 application fee.
 

Features of the 2024—25 program:

• No application fee;
• equal invitation ranking for Interstate and Overseas candidates;
• prioritised invitations for candidates with an occupation in a WA industry sector with critical demand for skilled workers; 
• reduced employment requirements for candidates invited through a WA building and construction industry sector occupation (as classified on the WA State nomination Occupation lists); and
• additional employment contract arrangements for General Stream: WASMOL schedule 1.

The Contract of employment requirement is not applicable to visa 491 applicants.

From 1 July 2024, current employment, or a contract of employment for an occupation available through Schedule 1 may include a Contracted Medical Practitioner Agreement, a Private Practice partnership agreement, Locum Tenens agreement or similar employment contract.

You must have a contract of employment in your nominated (or closely related) occupation for full time employment in Western Australia, for at least six months from the date of your application for State nomination. 

>> Northern Territory Skilled Migration: Offshore Applications Reopened

The Australian Government has allocated 1,600 nomination places to the NT for the 2024-25 program year. The number of places has doubled from the 2023-24 program year.

The Northern Territory has reopened offshore nomination applications for the NT Family Stream and Job Offer Stream as of 15 August 2024. 

The Priority Occupations Stream remains suspended due to high demand, but onshore applications continue to be assessed. Existing offshore applications made under the Priority Occupations Stream will continue to be assessed. However, there are likely to be significant delays in assessing these applications.

Onshore

Please note the following:

• if you or any of your migrating dependants are currently living interstate, you will not be eligible for the Northern Territory (NT) nomination

• if you or any of your migrating dependants are currently on a student visa and have not completed studies in an NT institution, you will not be eligible for NT nomination
• if you have already been nominated for a subclass 489 or 491 visa by the NT, you will not be eligible for a subclass 190 nomination.

Offshore

Offshore applicants will generally only be nominated for a subclass 491 visa.

Offshore applicants must meet the minimum requirements and meet the following NT nomination criteria:

• Have post-qualification work experience of at least 2 years in your nominated occupation in the last 5 years (note: additional work experience may be required for some occupations under the priority occupations stream)
• Demonstrate a genuine commitment to live and work in the NT on a long-term basis
• Declare that they have the financial capacity to settle in the NT
• Meet criteria against one of the 3 streams.

Please note: those applying under the NT Family stream or the NT Job Offer stream can nominate any occupation on the national eligibility list.

Conclusion

The NSW & Qld skilled nomination programs will reopen in the coming weeks.

The reopening of these state nomination programs offers significant opportunities for skilled migrants. However, the process demands careful preparation and strategic planning. Professional advice can be instrumental in ensuring your application aligns with state priorities and stands out in a competitive field. For personalized guidance on navigating these programs and enhancing your chances of success, consider seeking initial advice and assistance with the entire process. 

Book a consultation with Augustine & Co. Immigration Lawyers.