State Sponsorship - Tasmania - FAQ

Updated on 02 Feb 2021

Migration Tasmania Nominated Skilled Visas - Frequently Asked Questions

General questions
1:I meet all the minimum nomination requirements, will I be nominated?

Meeting the nomination requirements does not guarantee that you will be offered Tasmanian nomination.
If you are able to meet the minimum nomination requirements, your application will be competitively assessed against other eligible applications, with a focus on your ability to address a number of criteria, including:

 your demonstrated ability and commitment to establishing yourself, and any dependants, in Tasmania with a view to your prospects for long-term settlement in the state
 the demand for your particular skills and expertise, and your ability to find work in Tasmania
 the suitability and transferability of your qualifications, skills and experience – including any specialist capabilities - to the needs of Tasmania’s labour market
 the skills and background of dependant family members
 your level of English language competency.
Applicants who have skills in areas of particular need within the Tasmanian economy will be held in high regard, particularly if living in an area outside of Greater Hobart. These include:
 health
 trades and construction
 engineering
 community services (including aged and disability care).

2:How do I get a Skills Assessment? Who do I get it from?

All details regarding Skills Assessments are available on the Department of Home Affairs website:
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/working-in-australia/skills-assessment.

3:I don’t meet the nomination requirements – can I still be nominated? Can you waive the requirements?

To be considered for nomination, applicants must demonstrate in their applications that they meet the minimum requirements for nomination. If you do not meet the minimum requirements, the onus is on you to demonstrate why you should be nominated above others who do meet the requirements. There is no guarantee that Migration Tasmania will offer nomination.

4:Will the nomination requirements change?

We encourage you to stay informed by visiting the website of the Department of Home Affairs at https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/ and our website at https://www.migration.tas.gov.au/

State nomination programs respond to the policy settings of the Australian Government, Department of Home Affairs as well as social and economic factors that fall outside the control of Migration Tasmania.
These websites will keep you informed of current requirements, and alert you to any changes.

5:Does my occupation need to be on the Tasmanian Skilled Occupation List?

All applicants must nominate an occupation listed on the Department of Home Affairs list of eligible skilled occupations.

The Tasmanian Skilled Occupations List (TSOL) provides information on skills that are currently in demand in Tasmania. Applicants who are living overseas and do not have an employment offer from a Tasmanian employer must nominate an occupation on TSOL to be considered for nomination. For other nomination categories, we will give high regard to people with skills in an area related to TSOL. As we can only nominate a limited number of people each year, people with TSOL related experience, studies or training may have a higher chance of success.

6:My visa is about to expire, what should I do?

If your visa is about to expire and you may be at risk of becoming unlawful in Australia, please contact the Department of Home Affairs and/or a registered migration agent as soon as possible to resolve any potential issues with your immigration status. 

7:I want to report fraud.

We take information received from the public seriously. To help us investigate please provide as much information as possible, including the name and date of birth of the person involved.

Please note that due to privacy considerations we cannot provide details or outcomes of our investigations.

Assessment Process and Priorities
1:What are the priorities for nomination?

For the 2020 – 21 program year the Department of Home Affairs has directed that all nominations must be justifiable in relation to their likely contribution to Australia’s economic recovery and follow three priorities:

1. High quality subclass 188 and 132 (Business Innovation and Investment Program) nomination applications

2. Applicants critical to supporting Tasmania’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including individuals providing critical or specialist medical services, critical skills required to maintain the supply of essential goods and services, or delivering services in sectors critical to Australia’s economic recovery

3. Applicants currently in Australia who can demonstrate their capacity to meaningfully contribute to economic recovery through skilled employment.

2:What does this mean for applicants?

All new and existing nomination applications will be considered according to these priorities, with those in critical roles being nominated first. Existing applicants who are not in critical roles will be considered only after priority applications for critical roles have been processed. In practice, applicants in critical roles will be approved and nominated on an ongoing basis. Periodically, other eligible applicants who have demonstrated their capacity to contribute to economic recovery will be nominated if there are sufficient places available.

Critical Roles
1:What are critical roles?
   Which critical sectors or occupations are preferred?
   My employer says I am critical to the business, do I work in critical role?

While you may be very important to your employer, this does not necessarily mean your role is critical.

For Tasmania these roles include candidates:
 assisting directly in Tasmania’s COVID-19 response (directly engaged by Tasmanian Government due to their specialist skills and experience)
 providing critical or specialist medical services or delivering medical supplies potentially associated with COVID-19 response. This includes all general nursing and medical positions with the Tasmanian Health Service
 directly involved in the supply of essential goods and services (medical technology, critical infrastructure, telecommunications, engineering and mining, supply chain logistics, agricultural technology, food production, and the maritime industry)
o must be highly skilled and specialised roles
o includes infrastructure engineering and maintenance including dams, large / high complexity bridges, irrigation schemes, transport logistics planning and maintenance
o in agriculture includes specialist roles such as artificial insemination technicians, wool classers, livestock pregnancy scanners
o supply of these essential goods and services in jeopardy without the applicant
o does not include lower level positions such as retail workers, harvest labour, delivery drivers, warehouse staff
 delivering services in sectors critical to economic recovery (such as financial technology, large scale manufacturing, film and television production and emerging technology)
o must be high value / highly skilled / specialised roles
o would normally include a significant and recognised contribution to export income, significant flow-on employment and economic benefits, high value national / international exposure
o would not normally include small scale, local oriented operations
In addition, Migration Tasmania also gives high regard to applications from people employed in the following areas:
 health and allied health occupations, including in private and not-for-profit sectors
 senior support workers /enrolled nurses / registered nurses in aged, disability and community care (minimum Diploma qualified)
 qualified and experienced chefs and cooks
Migration Tasmania may add to these areas as the needs of Tasmania’s economy evolves.

2:When will my application be processed?

Migration Tasmania will process applications and nominate according to the priorities set out by the Department of Home Affairs. This means applicants who are engaged in critical roles will be considered and nominated first, regardless of when they apply. Other applicants will be nominated periodically depending upon the number of nomination places remaining. All applicants must demonstrate that they have reasonable prospects for skilled employment that will contribute to Tasmania’s economy.

3:I work in a food distribution warehouse
   I am a delivery truck driver for a food distribution logistics company
   I am a farmhand/meat processor
   Do I work in a critical role?

No. You must be directly involved in the supply of essential goods and services, and supply must be in jeopardy if your employment ceased. These would normally be highly skilled, specialist roles. You may be considered for nomination if you meet the published requirements and there are sufficient nomination places available.

4:I am a chef, do I work in a critical role?

Applicants employed full-time as chefs or cooks will be given priority. Applicants must be in a genuine and ongoing skilled role with a skills assessment as a Chef or Cook. This does not normally include lower-skilled employment in limited service restaurants, e.g. sushi makers, pizza makers.

Cooks and chefs without a related skills assessment will be considered after higher property applications have been processed.

5:Do critical roles also include Registered or Enrolled Nurses and other skilled occupations in aged or disability care?

Registered and Enrolled Nurses, allied health professionals and senior support workers engaged in the aged, community and disability support sectors are critical to Tasmania. We will continue to nominate as a priority people engaged in this sector as a high priority if they have a minimum diploma qualification and are working in at least a senior support role.

Other workers in the sector will be considered alongside other applicants if there are available nomination places.

6:I operate a small business with strong income and turnover. Is this considered critical?

Small business owners making a strong or potential contribution to the local economy may be considered important to the state’s economic recovery. Positive attributes may include:
 employment of locals
 flow-on effects to the local economy
 providing valuable services not otherwise available in the community
 strong export income
 contribution to Tasmania’s brand image and exposure

Category 1 Tasmanian Graduates
1:Can I do a packaged course and can I combine the duration of all the courses to make up the 40 week requirement? (for example cert II, Cert III in Cookery)

If all parts of the packaged course result in the award of a single qualification, this may be acceptable. An example may be a 6 month Graduate Certificate in Public Policy followed by a further 6 months study resulting in the award of a Graduate Diploma.

2:Can I complete a 1 year diploma, followed by an advanced diploma and meet the Australian Study Requirement for subclass 190 nomination. What about studying the same diploma course twice? (Graduates who commenced study prior to 1 July 2021)

Merely studying in the same area for two years will not guarantee nomination. While this may meet our minimum study requirements for your application to be considered nomination places are limited and we will generally give higher regard to applicants who have obtained skills in an area of genuine need in Tasmania. For more information, refer to our International Student Graduates page.

3:Can I complete my course in less than 2 years and still be eligible for 190? (Graduates who commenced study prior to 1 July 2021)

Yes, but only if it meets the Australian Study Requirement, and only after you have lived in Tasmania for at least two years.

If you include credit from previous study the minimum Tasmanian study period would be 16 months, from the time the course commences (generally from the start of lectures and excluding orientation periods) to the date at when all academic requirements have been completed.

The onus is on you to demonstrate that you meet these requirements.

4:What is full-time on-campus study?

This is study that includes a substantial amount of contact hours at the institution you are enrolled in. It does not include online or distance education.

Your study must have been at least 75% of a full time study load in each semester.

VET courses must involve at least 20 scheduled contact hours per week unless otherwise specified by ASQA.

5:I graduated 6 years ago and moved interstate for work experience. I have now moved back to Tasmania. Am I eligible for nomination?

Meeting the minimum study requirement is only the first stage of our assessment. You must also be able to demonstrate that you have a genuine intention to live, work and contribute to Tasmania in the long term.

If you have spent a large period time since graduation in another state or territory it may be difficult for you to meet this requirement until you can show you have been back in Tasmania for a reasonable period and have established a genuine incentive to stay through personal, employment or other long term commitments.

6:I am living in Tasmania, but my spouse / family aren’t, can we be nominated?

If you are currently living in Tasmania your family must also be living with you.

If there is a genuine reason why your spouse has not lived in Tasmania with you, please include that reason in your Commitment Letter when applying online. The onus is on you to demonstrate why you should be nominated, and that you genuinely intend to stay in Tasmania.

7:I am currently studying in Tasmania – can I go on a holiday interstate or overseas?

Short periods of holiday travel during study breaks are acceptable. Travel during semesters or extended periods outside Tasmania will need to be explained and supported with evidence.

8:I need more information about the Tasmania Graduate nomination category.

The International Student Graduate page of the Migration Tasmania website has detailed information and guidance to help international students who are interested in seeking Tasmania Government nomination for a subclass 491 or 190 visa. This includes choosing study and education providers, and the information that should be included in an application for nomination.

9:I'm planning to move to Tasmania to study, will I be nominated?
   I am one year into a three year course at the University of Tasmania. Will I be able to be           nominated after I graduate?
  What skills do I need to be nominated? What should I study?

There is never any guarantee of state nomination. Nomination priorities change according to the needs of the Australian and Tasmanian economies. The current focus is on supporting critical industries and economic recovery. We encourage students moving to Tasmania to gain skills in areas which will be important to Tasmania’s future needs. Some resources to guide you in your choice of study include:
 Job Outlook
 Job Jumpstart
 Myskills
 Department of Education Skills and Employment

Category 2 - Working in Tasmania
1:I have a student visa and can only work 20 hours per fortnight. Can I still be nominated if I have worked for 6 months but only part-time?

No, the minimum requirement of Subclass 190 Category 2 Working in Tasmania is 35 hours work per week regardless of current visa. If you do not meet the minimum requirements for nomination it is up to you to demonstrate why your request for nomination should be considered above others.

You may have other visa options which will allow you to work temporarily after graduation. The Department of Home Affairs visa finder can help you find further information on visa options and requirements.

2:My visa expires soon, can I request a waiver of the six month work requirement?

Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the minimum requirements for nomination. If you do not meet the minimum requirements, the onus is on you to demonstrate why you should be nominated above others who do meet the requirements. There is no guarantee that we will offer nomination.

3:Can I run my own business and employ myself to be nominated in the Working in Tasmania category?

You may be eligible for nomination under Category 5 – Small Business Owner for the subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa.

4:I want to apply for subclass 190 Nomination in the Working in Tasmania category and my occupation is on TSOL. Do I also need to meet the additional requirements listed on TSOL for my occupation?

No, the additional requirements are only for applications under Category 3A – Overseas Applicant, TSOL

Overseas applicants – Category 3A TSOL, 3B Job Offer
1:I am visiting Australia temporality on a non-resident visa. Can I apply for nomination for the     overseas applicant categories?
  I was in Australia temporarily last year, can I still apply?

The overseas applicant categories (3A TSOL and 3B Job Offer) require applicants to be currently living overseas and not have lived in another part of Australia within the last 12 months. If you are only a short term visitor and your visa does not allow employment you are eligible to apply. We may ask you for more information to show that you have not been living and working in Australia.

For example, if you are a nurse completing the IRON bridging course in Victoria for AHPRA registration, you may be using a Visitor visa and are, therefore, not considered to be living in Australia. However if you then obtain a work visa to take up a paid nursing position, you would then be considered to be living in Australia.

2:How much money should I to have to be eligible for nomination under this Category?

This will depend upon your family makeup, your anticipated travel, settlement and living costs and the likelihood of you quickly finding employment. We advise people who do not have employment arranged to be financially prepared for 6 months or more before obtaining full time employment.

3:The requirements say I must not I have lived in another state or territory outside Tasmania in the last 12 months. Last year I had a short holiday in Australia. Am I still eligible?

Yes. Visits to Australia on a Visitor or Tourist visa of less than 3 months are not considered living in Australia. This includes visits to complete registration bridging courses in nursing and medicine.

4:I am an Engineer with 5 years of experience and have a migration skills assessment from Engineers Australia. Do I also need NER / Chartered assessment?

An Engineers Australia migration skills assessment (Stage 1) is the standard migration skills assessment needed to obtain a skilled visa from the Australian Government. However, to be nominated by Tasmania you also need either
 Engineers Australia’s National Engineering Register as a Professional Engineer (i.e., completion of the competency assessment)
OR
 Registration on Engineers Australia’s National Engineering Register as a Professional Engineer
OR
 Chartered Professional Engineer with Engineers Australia (some applicants may have both NER and Chartered accreditation)
This is the best way to ensure that you have the skills and experience to be readily employed in Tasmania.
More details are available on the Engineers Australia website: - https://www.engineersaustralia.org.au/Engineering-Registers/National-Engineering-Register/Join-The-NER

https://www.engineersaustralia.org.au/Chartered

5:I am an Engineer and have Chartered Engineer accreditation with my home country’s Engineering professional association. Do I also need NER / Chartered assessment?

To be recognised as a Chartered Engineer by Engineers Australia or be registered on the National Engineering Register a professional must apply to Engineers Australia, addressing their eligibility requirements.
Details are on the Engineers Australia website - https://www.engineersaustralia.org.au/chartered-pathways

https://www.engineersaustralia.org.au/Engineering-Registers/National-Engineering-Register/Join-The-NER

6:I am an Engineer and have Engineers Australia NER registration. Do I also need Chartered accreditation?

You need to have either NER registration (or eligibility to be registered) or Chartered Engineer accreditation with Engineers Australia. You do not need both.

7:How do I show that I am eligible to be registered Engineer’s Australia’s National Engineering Register?

After your competency is assessed by Engineers Australia you will be given a letter confirming your eligibility. You must provide this with your application for nomination.

8:I am a Registered Nurse, but not yet registered by AHPRA. Am I eligible for nomination?

Yes. However you will also need to demonstrate your employability in Tasmania by Please refer to the Category 3A: Overseas applicant (TSOL) - Employment evidence section of the Migration Tasmanian website for details.

9:I am a nurse living overseas and I completed my IRON bridging course in Australia 6 months ago. The requirements state that I must not have lived in another state or territory of Australia within the last 12 months, can I still apply?

Yes, we do not consider being in Australia to complete the IRON bridging course to be living in Australia.

After applying for Tasmanian nomination
1:When will my nomination application be processed? When will I get my visa?

Your application for state nomination and application for the visa are two separate processes. The Tasmanian Government assesses your application for state nomination and the Department of Home Affairs assesses your visa application.

Current processing times for Tasmanian nomination are in the Latest News section of the Migration Tasmania website.

Processing time can be affected by the completeness of your application. To avoid delays you should provide all required information when you lodge your application. Other factors that impact on processing times include changes in application volumes, seasonal peaks, and complex cases.

The Department of Home Affairs publishes current visa processing times on its website.

2:I have just got married / had a baby. Can I update my application details?

If you are nominated you will need to advise Home Affairs of the changes when you lodge your visa application.

After nomination

1:I think my nomination decision is wrong - can I ask for a review of the decision?

A decision not to offer nomination will not be reconsidered unless a clear, substantial factual or legal error has been made.

We will not review a decision where applicants did not provide adequate information in their application, or provided incorrect information. We will also not review a decision in light of new information that was not provided in the original application.

If you have new information that you would like to have considered, you may lodge a new application for state nomination. However, you would be unlikely to be offered nomination if you are unable to address the reasons for your previous non-offer.

2:I can’t find a job, what should I do?

It is not unusual for any recent arrival to find it hard to find employment in a short amount of time, whether they are from overseas or from another part of Australia. We advise potential nominees to be prepared for it take 6 months or more to find work in Tasmania.

Some resources that may help you with your job search include:
 Migration Tasmania Introduction Letter –We provide a letter to all new arrivals in Tasmania to introduce our nominees and our skilled visa nomination program to employers. If you have not received this letter you can request one by email.
 Make it Tasmania / Tasmanian Employment Networking Service (TENS) – The Make It Tasmania website has a range of information and resources about key industries and employment in Tasmania. In particular, the Tasmanian Employment Networking Service (TENS) provides assistance to skilled tradespeople, as well as people seeking employment in construction, engineering, information and communication technology (ICT), health and hospitality related fields by connecting them with relevant industry and business contacts. The service is free and open to people from all geographical locations who are eligible to work in Australia and interested in finding employment in Tasmania.
 Professional Industry Associations –These can be a good source of advice and contacts for your industry. A list of major industry associations is on the Business Tasmania website
 Engineers – The Engineers Australia website has a comprehensive advice section for people moving to Australia https://www.engineersaustralia.org.au/For-Migrants/Moving-To-Australia

 Volunteering can also assist you build networks, develop skills and to find openings in permanent employment https://www.volunteeringtas.org.au/.

3:Can I move to another state?

As a nominee you agreed to make all reasonable efforts to work and live in Tasmania, but ultimately the decision to move interstate is yours.

We do not provide waiver or release letters and cannot enter into discussions about your request to move interstate. The Tasmanian Government is not permitted to provide migration advice or an indication of your future visa or Australian Citizenship pathways.

Please contact a migration agent or Department of Home Affairs if you require further clarification in relation to your visa obligations.

4:Is there any help that I can get regarding my settlement?

Migration Tasmania offers orientation sessions for new arrivals, where key speakers talk about settling in Tasmania, housing, education and finding work. Attendees also get the opportunity meet other new arrivals, talk to government officers and service providers, ask questions and network.

While we are happy to help you find the services you need, please note that we cannot provide legal, financial or migration advice, or find employment for you. For more information, please email us.

5:I was nominated 3 months ago, but I haven’t applied for my visa / my visa was refused. Can I be nominated again?

You will need to lodge a new application for nomination, explaining why you were unable to lodge your visa application / why your visa was refused. Migration Tasmania cannot guarantee that we will be provide a further nomination.

6:I have a 489 / 491 visa, but now I meet the subclass 190 nomination requirements. Can I be nominated again?

We do not offer multiple nominations. If you have a subclass 489 or 491 visa and wish to become a permanent resident, you have the option through the subclass 887/191 pathways.