New South Wales (NSW) State Sponsored Migration Visa 190 Skilled Nominated (Permanent) and 489 Skilled Regional (Provisional) Visas provides a great way to immigrate to New South Wales (NSW) Australia. This article does not deal with Investor visas but only deal with General Skills pointed tested immigration visas. The Options available to you include permanent and temporary Visa options. Main Visa subclasses are:
Visa 489 - Skilled — Regional (Provisional) - This visa is closed to new applications
The Supplementary Skilled List reflects occupations available on the Short Term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) that are not available on New South Wales (NSW) Australia's State Occupation List. These occupations are only available if you meet the additional requirements.
Please note that some occupations in this list may have certain barriers to being immediately eligible for employment. Please research your employment opportunities thoroughly before choosing New South Wales (NSW) Australian state nomination. It is your responsibility to determine your employability, if your occupation requires further training, or if it has registration, licensing, residency or other requirements before you can work in New South Wales (NSW) Australia.
UPDATE
October 2024
491 Pathway 1 and Pathway 3 Opening
We are now accepting applications for the Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491) Pathway 1 and Pathway 3
We are pleased to announce the opening of the Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491) - Pathway 1 and Pathway 3 for the 2024-25 program year.
Below is a summary of the key updates:
Subclass 491 Visa Pathway 1 - Work in Regional NSW
All occupations that are eligible for the Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491) can apply under Pathway 1.
To apply under this pathway, you must be currently working in your nominated (or closely related) occupation in a designated regional area of NSW and have continuously done so for the past six months with a single employer based in regional NSW.
You must also be paid the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold salary rate from your qualifying employer in your nominated (or closely related) occupation at the time of application.
We removed the requirement to live-in-NSW for Pathway 1, providing greater flexibility for applicants living in border towns.
Detailed eligibility criteria for Pathway 1 is available on our website. Please review these to ensure you meet the requirements before applying.
Subclass 491 Visa Pathway 3 – Regional NSW Graduate
To apply under this pathway, you must have completed a bachelor's degree or above from an education institution located in a designated regional area of NSW.
Your qualifying study in regional NSW must be eligible to claim points for study in Regional Australia as per the Points table for Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491).
Your qualifying study must be related to your nominated (or closely related) occupation and have been completed within the 2 years immediately before applying for NSW nomination. Please visit website for a full list of eligibility requirements for Pathway 3.
Limited Places for Subclass 491 Visas Pathway 1 and Pathway 3
Considering the limited allocation, we have limited places available for these two pathways. Investment NSW reserves the right to close these pathways once all available places have been exhausted.
Nominations are at the discretion of Investment NSW
Investment NSW reserves the right to refuse an application for nomination if the application does not meet the published criteria, if the nomination is not in the best interests of NSW, or if our allocation is fully committed.
For more detailed information on these changes and how they might affect your application, visit our website or consult a registered migration agent or legal practitioner.
We look forward to receiving your applications and helping skilled migrants build their future in NSW.
Other Important Information from the NSW Government
Changes to enrolment policy for Dependents of Temporary visa holders for regional NSW
All students on a temporary resident visa will now be able to enrol in their local school, based on their residential address.
Enrolment fees will be waived for families that are regional holders (i.e. those who reside outside of greater Sydney and Wollongong) of Temporary Skills Shortage visas (subclass 482). These changes come into effect 1 January 2025.
Please refer to Department of Education’s fact sheet Changes to the enrolment policy for further information.
NSW Growing Regions of Welcome (GROW)
The NSW Growing Regions of Welcome (GROW) is a lifestyle and employment program underway in the Murray and Riverina regions.
It connects interested people from migrant and refugee backgrounds living in Western Sydney with opportunities in regional NSW.
NSW 491 Pathways and Application Criteria Update
NSW has updated the criteria and procedures for the Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) visa, introducing clearer and more streamlined pathways for nomination.
Two primary pathways now exist to secure NSW nomination for the subclass 491 visa:
- Pathway 1: Direct Application - Tailored for candidates with a well-established work history with a regional NSW-based employer.
- Pathway 2: Invitation by Investment NSW - A process where candidates are chosen by Investment NSW based on specific skill needs in the region.
Application Commencement:
The NSW government is set to start accepting direct applications for 'Pathway 1' and plans to initiate invitation rounds for 'Pathway 2' in the near future.
Source: New South Wales Migration
Top 20 occupations in demand in New South Wales
(Note: occupations are ordered by the monthly average of internet job vacancies from October to December 2022)
| Top 20 occupations in demand | IVI job ads |
| Registered Nurses | 2,443 |
| Software and Applications Programmers | 2,118 |
| Aged and Disabled Carers | 1,442 |
| Construction Managers | 1,309 |
| Child Carers | 1,279 |
| Retail Managers | 1,245 |
| ICT Business and Systems Analysts | 1,150 |
| Chefs | 1,116 |
| Motor Mechanics | 1,011 |
| Advertising and Marketing Professionals | 926 |
| Generalist Medical Practitioners | 903 |
| Civil Engineering Professionals | 843 |
| Electricians | 783 |
| Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teachers | 776 |
| Contract, Program and Project Administrators | 752 |
| Metal Fitters and Machinists | 742 |
| Physiotherapists | 349 |
| Database and Systems Administrators, and ICT Security Specialists | 298 |
| Gardeners | 278 |
| Computer Network Professionals | 168 |
A new NSW Business and Skilled Migration Update is available.
The update contains the following:
- Clarifying NSW complying investments for BIIP visas
- Defining 'headquartered in NSW'
- October submission window – Subclass 491 visa.
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Following the October 2020 budget, we would like to provide our readers with an up to date summary of 190 State Nominated Visa Programmes. We are hoping this summary will make it easier for you to consider your current position. As always, the information is subject to change without notice therefore it is paramount to seek professional advice.
If you need assistance, please book an appointment via our website.
Invitation rounds will commence shortly for subclass 190 visa nomination. In line with Home Affairs direction, NSW will only invite applicants currently in selected health, ICT and engineering occupations, and who currently reside in NSW.
You do not need to submit a new EOI in SkillSelect if your current EOI is valid.
https://www.business.nsw.gov.au/live-and-work-in-nsw/visas-and-immigration/skilled-visas/Skilled-Nominated-visa-subclass-190
NSW - Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188) open
The following information has been provided by NSW Skilled and Business Migration:
Direct applications for the Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188) for the following streams are now being accepted for:
- Business Innovation stream
- Investor stream
- Significant Investor stream
Eligibility criteria and application instructions are available by following the links to each respective subclass.
A new nomination process for the Entrepreneur stream
You must now be invited to apply for NSW nomination for the Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188) – Entrepreneur stream – you cannot apply directly.
To register your interest in NSW nomination you must:
Be eligible
To register your interest in NSW nomination, you must first meet all the NSW nomination criteria. Contact us for an eligibility criteria assessment.
Pay the registration of interest fee
Registration of interest fees are:
- A$330 if applying from within Australia (includes GST)
- A$300 if applying from outside Australia
- You will not receive an outcome until the payment is made.
Apply for NSW nomination
If you have been invited, We can apply to NSW for nominations.
NSW Priority Skilled Occupation List 2018-19, NSW Business Investor and Skilled Migration - August 2018
NSW Priority Skilled Occupation List for 2018-19 has now been announced. This list has been developed to specifically ensure the NSW migration program meets the skills needs of NSW.
The selection criteria remain unchanged.
It is important to note that this program year, there will be no ‘Stream Two’ invitations.
NSW IS unable to estimate in advance whether a candidate will be invited. Invitations depend on a number of factors, including:
- scores and claims of other candidates in SkillSelect at the time the invitation is issued;
- number of invitations being issued in a selection round. Please note, there are no specific dates when we will conduct our invitation rounds.
Once NSW receive a complete application for nomination, we will aim to finalise it within six weeks.
Check this out now
NSW 190 Priority Skilled Occupation List (NSW 190 list) 2018–19
If you need advice on State Sponsored migration to Australia, please book an appointment for a professional assessment.
Skilled Regional (Provisional) Subclass 489 Visa
NSW Department of Industry works in partnership with participating Regional Development Authorities (RDA) in NSW to deliver the NSW Skilled Regional Nominated Migration (489) program.
Under this arrangement, NSW RDAs that choose to participate in the 489 program can select and nominate candidates whose skills are needed in their region.
This year the following eight regions will participate:
- Central West (new addition) - from 20 August 2018
- Far South Coast
- Mid North Coast
- Murray
- Northern Inland
- Orana
- Riverina
- Southern Inland
NSW 489 Regional Skilled Occupation list (NSW 489 list)
For advice on detailed eligibility criteria and application process, please book an appointment for a professional assessment.
The New South Wales Government nominates prospective migrants for a variety of visas if you are interested in living and working in the state. In NSW, skilled workers enjoy globally competitive career opportunities. Business migrants and investors benefit from a thriving economy and students can obtain a world-class education.
Visas and nomination
The NSW Government nominates eligible business owners and investors as well as highly skilled workers who are qualified in an occupation of benefit to the NSW economy.
NSW also offers nomination to eligible candidates who are seeking to live and work in regional NSW.
Business migration
If you are a business migrant who is interested in establishing a business or investing in NSW you may be eligible for NSW nomination under the Business Innovation and Investment Program.
There are several visa options available which are outlined on the Business Nomination page. These include:
Business Talent (subclass 132) visa
- Business Innovation and Investment (subclass 188/888) visa or
- The Significant Investor visa
Each has its own criteria and conditions and NSW encourages prospective applicants to select the option most suitable to their circumstances.
NSW skilled nominated migration
If you are highly skilled and are seeking an opportunity to migrate to NSW to live and advance your career you may wish to seek NSW nomination for a Skilled Nominated visa (190).
Apart from nomination for the Skilled nominated migration (190) visa, you may also qualify for NSW nomination for a Skilled regional nominated migration (489) visa. Through regional migration, skilled workers enjoy the many work opportunities, lifestyle benefits and services available in the regions of NSW.
NSW migration resources
The NSW Government offers online resources to assist you with moving to NSW and settling in the state.
If you need advice on State Sponsored migration to Australia, please book an appointment for a professional assessment.