The NSW Government has established a new direct pathway for NSW Skilled Migrants in the region who wish to be nominated with the aid of using the NSW Government for the sc 491 Skilled Work Regional visa.
This pathway is not yet operational and awaiting the completion of changes to its online systems.
Through this pathway, applicants who have been currently living and working in a specified (or closely related) occupation in a given area of NSW for the past twelve (12) months will be eligible for 491 NSW Government nominations with 65 points.
Applicants won't need to satisfy higher points thresholds for individual occupations as per the other two pathways that are obtainable under the NSW Government. Additionally, applicants will not be required to have further work expertise beyond the stated twelve months of employment in their competent occupation
To apply under this pathway, applicants must:
Ensure they are eligible for this visa subclass on the Home Affairs website
Currently living and working in a specified (or closely related) occupation in a designated regional area of NSW, and have worked continuously for at least 20 hours per week for the past 12 months
Have a valid skills assessment in an occupation within a unified group that appears on the NSW Regional Skills List and is eligible for the visa
Are paid at least the TSMIT level or $53,900 per annum (full-time basis) excluding superannuation
Provide evidence for all points claims in your SkillSelect EOI, as well as where they currently reside. In addition, they must submit a copy of their SkillSelect EOI.
We have been informed that an online application portal will continue to exist on the NSW Government website shortly and we advise you to look regularly at the NSW Government website for any updates and refrain from doing enquiries to the NSW Government for status updates. (Top tip: They don't like this so much and to be fair if everyone sent one email asking for an update - that's a whole hell of a lot of you!).
Feel free to book a consultation for detailed advice and steps!