SA Skilled Nominated Visa Subclass 190

Updated on 13 Sep 2022

Description:

This is a state nominated permanent visa for skilled migrants that allows you to live and work in South Australia.

South Australia offers a state nomination pathway for this visa if you meet the state nomination requirements.

This is a permanent visa that allows you to stay in South Australia indefinitely.

State nomination from South Australia provides you with 5 additional points to help you qualify for a subclass 190 visa under the Department of Home Affairs points test. 

Requirements:

To apply for this skilled migration visa from the Department of Home Affairs, you must:  

• be under the age of 45

• have a valid skills assessment

• have ineligible skilled occupation

• have at least 65 points – you can check your points on the Department of Home Affairs points calculator

• have at least Competent English.  

Please note this is a general summary only – check the Department of Home Affairs Subclass 190 visa webpage for the latest information. 

For South Australian state nomination for this visa, you must: 

• meet the Department of Home Affairs visa requirements 

• meet state-specific occupation requirements and have skills in an occupation available on SA State Skilled Occupation List

• be eligible for state nomination under one of South Australia’s nomination streams listed as below- 

 

1.    South Australian Graduates

If you are an international graduate, who has studied in South Australia, you may be eligible for state nomination as a skilled migrant faster than other candidates. High Performing Graduates may also benefit from certain concessions or waivers under this stream. Read more about the South Australian Graduates stream. 

International graduates who have studied in South Australia may be eligible for state nomination as a skilled migrant faster than other candidates. High Performing Graduates may also benefit from certain concessions or waivers under this stream.

Eligibility guidelines 

To be eligible under the South Australian Graduates stream, you must:

1. Check if your nominated occupation is eligible under the South Australian Graduates stream on South Australia’s Skilled Occupation List 
2. Currently live and work in South Australia
3. Be under 45 years of age at time of state nomination is approved
4. Have a valid and positive skills assessment for your nominated occupation
5. Have at least Competent English, unless your nominated occupation requires registration or licensing to practice in South Australia. 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. (Note: Passport holders or citizens of the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada or New Zealand do not need to provide an English language test result)
6. Score at least 65 points in the Department of Home Affairs’ points test (including state nomination points)
7. Have completed your qualification at a South Australian higher education provider and meet the following study requirements:
   • Your course in South Australia must be Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS)registered, with a minimum of 46 CRICOS weeks
   • Your study meets the minimum qualification level listed for your nominated occupation on the Skilled Occupation List
   • 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 studies
8. Be currently working in a job that is related to your nominated occupation. For South Australian nomination, this is defined as being in the same Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) Sub Major Group of your nominated occupation. That is, to the first two digits of the occupation’s ANZSCO Code of the occupation’s ANZSCO Code
9. Have undertaken your skilled work experience post-course completion
10. Meet the minimum work experience requirement listed for your occupation on the Skilled Occupation List
11. Unless specified higher for your nominated occupation on the Skilled Occupation List, be working at least: 
    • 20 hours per week or 40 hours per fortnight for subclass 491 visa nomination 
    • 30 hours per week or 60 hours per fortnight for subclass 190 visa nomination
      If you are a South Australian graduate who has not continuously resided in South Australia after completing your qualification, you must be working at least 30 hours per week for the minimum working period.

High Performing Graduates

To be eligible as a high performing graduate under the South Australian Graduates stream, you must:

1. Have a nominated occupation on South Australia’s Skilled Occupation List that is eligible for the High Performing Graduates pathway 
2. Have completed your qualification at a South Australian higher education provider in the last two years
3. Have a South Australian qualification in the same field as your skills assessment (i.e. your nominated occupation)
4. Currently live in South Australia, and have continuously resided in South Australia post-course completion
5. Have at least Proficient English overall, unless specified higher for your occupation. (Note: Passport holders or citizens of the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada or New Zealand do not need to provide an English language test result)
6. Meet the minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) specified for your nominated occupation on the Skilled Occupation List
7. Have a qualification in South Australia that meets the High Performing Graduates requirements in the table below 

Educational qualification	High Performing Graduate requirements
PhD or Masters by Research degree	You can apply once your degree has been conferred
Masters by Coursework degree	Your Masters degree must be at least 78 CRICOS weeks
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
Bachelor degree	Your Bachelor degree must be at least 92 CRICOS weeks You must have commenced skilled employment in an occupation related to your nominated occupation.

2.    Working in South Australia

If you are a skilled migrant, currently living in South Australia and working in your nominated occupation, you may be eligible for state nomination through this pathway. Candidates may include temporary visa holders, international graduates, self-employed applicants, and sub-contractors. Read more about the Working in South Australia stream. 

Skilled migrants currently living in South Australia and working in their nominated occupation may be eligible for state nomination through this stream. Candidates may include temporary visa holders, international graduates, self-employed applicants, and sub-contractors.

Eligibility guidelines

To be eligible under the Working in South Australia stream, you must:

1. Check if your nominated occupation is eligible under the Working in South Australia stream on South Australia’s Skilled Occupation List
2. Currently live and work in South Australia
3. Be under 45 years of age at time of state nomination is approved
4. Have a valid and positive skills assessment for your nominated occupation
5. Have at least Competent English, unless your nominated occupation requires registration or licensing to practice in South Australia. 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. (Please note: Passport holders or citizens of the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada or New Zealand do not need to provide an English language test result)
6. Score at least 65 points in the Department of Home Affairs’ points test (including state nomination points)
7. Be currently working in a job that is related to your nominated occupation. For South Australian nomination, this is defined as being in the same Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) Sub Major Group of your nominated occupation. That is, to the first two digits of the occupation’s ANZSCO Code
8. Have undertaken your skilled work experience post-course completion
9. Meet the minimum work experience requirement listed for your occupation on the Skilled Occupation List
10. Be working at least 20 hours per week or 40 hours per fortnight, unless specified higher for your nominated occupation on the Skilled Occupation List.

3.    Outer Regional South Australia 

If you are a skilled migrant, making an important contribution to supporting regional South Australian communities and businesses, you may benefit from certain work experience concessions under this stream. Working holiday makers may also apply under this pathway. Read more about the Outer Regional South Australia stream. 

Skilled migrants who have made an important contribution to supporting regional South Australian communities and businesses may benefit from certain work experience concessions under this stream. Working holiday maker visa holders may also apply under this pathway.

Eligibility guidelines

The Outer Regional South Australia stream is for skilled migrants working for outer regional South Australian businesses (who do not qualify to apply for state nomination under South Australia’s other nomination streams). To be eligible under the Outer Regional South Australia stream:

You must:

1. Check if your nominated occupation is eligible under the Outer Regional South Australia stream on South Australia’s Skilled Occupation List
2. Currently live and work in Outer Regional South Australia
3. Be under 45 years of age at time of state nomination is approved
4. Have a valid and positive skills assessment for your nominated occupation
5. Have at least Competent English, unless your nominated occupation requires registration or licensing to practice in South Australia. 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. (Note: Passport holders or citizens of the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada or New Zealand do not need to provide an English language test result)
6. Score at least 65 points in the Department of Home Affairs’ points test (including state nomination points)
7. Have been working for the past six months in Outer Regional South Australia in any job (does not need to be related to your nominated occupation). During these six months, you must have worked at least 30 hours per week or 60 hours per fortnight. If you are a working holiday maker visa holder, your specified work experience can count towards this work experience requirement
8. Be working in a high skilled position: Skill Level 1 or 2 and receiving a high salary (at least $65,000) for subclass 190 visa nomination 
9. Provide a letter of support from your employer outlining why you should be considered for state nomination

Your employer must:

1. Be a business in Outer Regional South Australia
2. Be an existing business for at least 12 months, and have a premise located and operating in Outer Regional South Australia for the past 12 months
3. Be a business of good standing and there must be no adverse information about the business

4.    Long Term Residents

If you are a long-term resident of South Australia, who does not qualify under the other nomination streams and you are not currently working in your nominated occupation, you may be eligible for state nomination through this stream. Safe Haven Enterprise visa holders may also apply under this pathway. Read more about the Long Term Residents stream. 

Long-term residents of South Australia, who do not qualify under other pathways for state nomination and are not currently working in their nominated occupation, may be eligible for nomination through this stream. Safe Haven Enterprise visa holders may also apply under this pathway.

Long-term residents of South Australia, who do not qualify under other pathways for state nomination and are not currently working in their nominated occupation, may be eligible for nomination through this stream. Safe Haven Enterprise visa holders may also apply under this pathway.

Eligibility guidelines

To be eligible under the Long-term Residents stream, you must:

1. Check if your nominated occupation is eligible under the Long-Term Residents stream on South Australia’s Skilled Occupation List
2. Currently live and work in South Australia
3. Have resided continuously in South Australia for the past five years (at the time of application)
4. Be under 45 years of age
5. Have a valid and positive skills assessment for your nominated occupation
6. Have at least Competent English, unless your nominated occupation requires registration or licensing to practice in South Australia. 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. (Note: Passport holders or citizens of the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada or New Zealand do not need to provide an English language test result)
7. Score at least 65 points in the Department of Home Affairs’ points test (including state nomination points)
8. Be currently working for the past six months in South Australia in any Skill Level 1, 2, 3 or Skill Level 4 Career and Aide occupation. To find out the skill level of your work experience, visit the Australian Bureau of Statistics ’Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) website
9. Have at least 12 months total work experience in South Australia in any Skill Level 1, 2, 3 or Skill Level 4 Career and Aide occupation over the past three years. This is cumulative, and inclusive of the six months requirement outlined above
10. During these 12 months of work experience, you must have worked at least:
    • for subclass 491 visa nomination: 20 hours per week or 40 hours per fortnight  
    • for subclass 190 visa nomination: 30 hours per week or 60 hours per fortnight and:
      • be working in a high skilled position: Skill Level 1, or 
      • be receiving a high salary (at least $80,000 in Greater Adelaide or $65,000 in regional South Australia).   
        Please refer to South Australia’s Skilled Occupation List if your nominated occupation is available for subclass 190 visa nomination under this stream.
      • Please note: If you are working in your nominated occupation, or a related occupation, you are not eligible to apply under this stream. Visit SA Nomination Options page and read about each of the other streams available to see if you are eligible.

5.    Highly skilled and Talented 

If you are a highly skilled migrant, who can contribute your demonstrated talent and/or support innovation in South Australia, you can register your interest in state nomination under this pathway. Candidates may include skilled migrants living in South Australia, other Australian states and territories, and offshore. Read more about the Highly Skilled and Talented stream. 

The Highly Skilled and Talented stream provides opportunities and pathways for highly skilled migrants who can contribute their demonstrated talent and/or support innovation in South Australia. Candidates may include skilled migrants living in South Australia, other Australian states and territories, and offshore.

The stream also allows the South Australian Government to nominate applicants who can contribute to the state’s critical priority sectors. Successful applicants will demonstrate how they bring new ideas, skills, and innovation to South Australia

Onshore applicants

In addition to meeting the general eligibility requirements above, if you are currently living in South Australia or interstate:

You must:

1. Have demonstrated extensive experience, working in highly skilled jobs, in senior or executive level roles  
2. Demonstrate that you meet one of the following:
   • Have already commenced employment in South Australia,
   • Have an employment contract for a position you plan to relocate to in South Australia. You are also able to apply, if you are currently working for a company interstate, and intend to relocate to the South Australian office of your current company, or
   • Have demonstrated specialised experience or niche skills that are highly desired in one of South Australia’s critical priority sectors.

Your employer must:

1. Be an existing business for at least 12 months. Your employer must have a premise located and operating in South Australia for the past 12 months.
2. Have annual turnover of at least $4 million. Please note:
   • 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
3. Be a business of good standing and there must be no adverse information about the business

Offshore applicants

In addition to meeting the general eligibility requirements above, you must:

1. Have demonstrated extensive experience, working in senior or executive level roles in highly skilled jobs, in: 
   • ​​​​​​​Internationally renowned organizations, or
   • Multinational companies with a presence in South Australia, or
   • Have demonstrated specialized experience or niche skills that are highly desired in one of South Australia’s critical priority sectors

South Australia's critical priority sectors 

Priority will be given if your employer is a business in one of South Australia’s priority industry sectors or is an integral part of the supply chain supporting these priority sectors. Currently these sectors include:

• Hi-Tech / Digital
• Green Energy / Hydrogen
• Defense, Space and Cyber Security
• Advanced Manufacturing
• Agribusiness
• Creative Industries
• Health and Life Sciences