One of the paths to residency is to move to rural Australia, some of these cities offer state sponsorship this sponsor give you a provisional visa for skilled migrants that allows you to live, study and work in their area for up to five years.
Regional and low population growth metropolitan areas
State | Areas | Postcode |
New South Wales | Everywhere except Sydney, Newcastle, the Central Coast and Wollongong | 2311 to 2312, 2328 to 2411, 2420 to 2490, 2536 to 2551, 2575 to 2594, 2618 to 2739, 2787 to 2898 |
Northern Territory | Everywhere in the territory | All postcodes |
Queensland | Everywhere except the greater Brisbane area and the Gold Coast | 4124 to 4125, 4133, 4211, 4270 to 4272, 4275, 4280, 4285, 4287, 4307 to 4499, 4515, 4517 to 4519, 4522 to 4899 |
South Australia | Everywhere in the state | All postcodes |
Tasmania | Everywhere in the state | All postcodes |
Victoria | Everywhere except the Melbourne metropolitan area | 3211 to 3334, 3340 to 3424, 3430 to 3649, 3658 to 3749, 3753, 3756, 3758, 3762, 3764, 3778 to 3781, 3783, 3797, 3799, 3810 to 3909, 3921 to 3925, 3945 to 3974, 3979, 3981 to 3996 |
Western Australia | Everywhere except Perth and surrounding areas | 6041 to 6044, 6083 to 6084, 6121 to 6126, 6200 to 6799 |
More information: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/skilled-regional-provisional-489/regional-postcodes
https://aifs.gov.au/publications/families-regional-rural-and-remote-australia/figure1
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa - Subclass 491
Some states provide you with up to15 additional points to help you qualify for a subclass 491 visa under the Department of Home Affairs points test if you meet all state nomination requirements, such as:
- Residency Requirements
- State nomination is provided to meet the State’s skills needs
- The applicant has a genuine interest and intention to live and work in the state
- With your application, attach a letter indicating that you intend to live, study and work there with a view to long-term settlement.
- Check the Skilled Occupation List to see if your occupation is available to offshore applicants.
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/employing-and-sponsoring-someone/sponsoring-workers/pmsol
- Submit a Registration of Interest (ROI) application
- Age
You must be under age 45 at the time of nomination.
- Occupation
You must have an occupation on State Skilled Occupation List and meet the eligibility requirements.
State | Link |
New South Wales | https://www.nsw.gov.au/topics/visas-and-migration/skilled-visas/nsw-skilled-occupation-lists |
Northern Territory | https://theterritory-com-au.translate.goog/migrate/migrate-to-work/northern-territory-government-visa-nomination/nt-migration-occupation-list/northern-territory-migration-occupation-list-a-f?_x_tr_sl=en&_x_tr_tl=es&_x_tr_hl=es&_x_tr_pto=sc |
Queensland | https://migration.qld.gov.au/visa-options/skilled-visas/skilled-workers-living-offshore |
South Australia | https://www.migration.sa.gov.au/occupation-lists/south-australia-skilled-occupation-list |
Tasmania | https://www.migration.tas.gov.au/skilled_migrants/skilled_regional |
Victoria | https://liveinmelbourne.vic.gov.au/news-events/news/2022/victorian-skilled-migration-program-to-open-on-11-august-2022 |
Western Australia | https://migration.wa.gov.au/services/skilled-migration-western-australia/occupation%20lists |
- Skills Assessment
You must have a valid and positive General Skilled Migration skills assessment from the relevant authority. Skills assessments must be for your nominated occupation.
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/working-in-australia/skills-assessment
The skills assessments must have been issued within the last three years, and their assessment must be valid at the time of the nomination decision.
- Work experience
- You must meet the work experience requirement listed for your occupation.
- Skilled work experience must be undertaken post-course completion and is defined as a minimum of 20 hours per week or 40 hours per fortnight of paid employment in your nominated or closely related occupation
- The position must be paid at the appropriate rate for the skill level.
- The employer must have a demonstrable presence in the region or state.
- English
You must meet the minimum English language requirement listed for your occupation.
- Points
You must meet the minimum points requirement listed for your occupation (including state nomination points).
- Important Information
SkillSelect Expression of Interest (EOI)
- You need an EOI that meets the Department of Home Affairs criteria and South Australia’s requirements.
- Your details in your EOI must be the same as your online application. Any discrepancies will result in nomination refusal.
- Nomination
Read each state’s applicable terms and conditions and verify the requirements before applying for state nomination.
Meeting the minimum published requirements does not guarantee nomination.
Every state provides one nomination per applicant, per visa subclass, and per program year on a discretionary basis.