Queensland’s Skilled Migration Program 2022-2023 is now open

The Migration Queensland Skilled Program is now open for the 2022–23 program year to onshore and offshore applicants. The Department of Home Affairs has provided Queensland with 4,435 visa places.

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Migration Queensland is accepting Expressions of Interest from both onshore and offshore applicants. The 2022-23 Skilled Migration Program provides pathways for skilled workers, graduates, and small business owners. The Australian government has allocated Queensland a total quota of 4,435 places (for subclass 190, subclass 491 and subclass 188 visas). Migration Queensland requests that all applicants carefully read and understand the new criteria relevant to their stream or pathway. It's recommended that applicants ensure that they meet the criteria before submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI).

There’s no guarantee that you will be selected for the state nomination due to the high demand, competitive nature and the limited nomination quota of the Queensland skilled nomination program. Speak to your migration agent to explore alternative migration options.

When quotas have been filled for specific occupations, Migration Queensland will notify applicants of this on their website.

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Queensland’s skilled visa nomination allows applicants who are already living and working in Queensland to remain in the state and help drive its economic growth. They are looking for skilled migrants to fill a range of critical skill shortages The state also provides visa nominations to highly skilled professionals, who are currently employed and living in Queensland for the following skilled visas:

• Subclass 190 visa, is a permanent state-nominated visa.

• Subclass 491 visa, is a 5-year provisional state-nominated visa with a pathway to permanent residency.

Please see below for Queensland eligibility criteria on each skilled visa pathway:

• Graduates of a Queensland university

• Skilled workers living in Queensland

• Skilled workers living offshore

• Small business owners operating in regional Queensland

Both visa types are points-based. As a part of the application process, candidates need to meet both the Home Affairs criteria and Migration Queensland criteria for their chosen visa, submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) with SkillSelect and lodge a visa application once they receive an invitation from the Department of Home Affairs.

Please note: Applicants must meet all requirements at the time EOI is submitted. Learn more about Australia’s points system for migration

Skilled workers living in Queensland can apply for Skilled Nominated (Permanent) visa (subclass 190) and Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491).

You may undertake employment through:

• work for one or more employers,

• work at two part-time jobs, or

• work in your own business as an owner or operator.

You must live and work within one of the following postcodes to be eligible for the 491 Regional visa: 4124–4125, 4133, 4183–4184, 4207–4275, 4280–4287, 4306–4498, 4507, 4517–4519, 4550–4575, 4580–4895.

To be eligible for a Queensland nomination, you must meet both the Australian Department of Home Affairs criteria and Migration Queensland criteria for your chosen visa category.

Home Affairs criteria:

• have a points-test result of 65 or higher, inclusive of state nomination points;

• have a positive skills assessment in your nominated occupation;

• be under 45 years of age;

• meet the minimum  IELTS band 6.0, unless a higher level is required by your assessing authority;

• and submit additional documents, if invited to lodge an application for a 190 or 491 visa

Migration Queensland criteria:

• have a points-test result of 80 or higher for Subclass 190, and 65 or higher for Subclass 491;

• have an occupation on Home Affairs’ relevant list of eligible skilled occupations (LIN 19/051);

• have IELTS band 7.0; or higher (except for Trades occupations*, which require IELTS band 6.0).

• EOI for a 190 visa: provide evidence of post-qualification employment in Queensland;

• EOI for a 491 visa: provide evidence that you have been living in regional Queensland and undertaking full-time post-qualification employment;

• provide evidence of ongoing employment with a Queensland employer;

• commit to living and working in Queensland for 2 years for a 190 visa and 3 years for the 491 from visa grant.

Please note: Businesses must have an office in Queensland. A virtual office will not be accepted.

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This pathway is for high-performing graduates, who have graduated from a Queensland university with a Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree or PhD, and are currently onshore in Queensland.

Graduates must complete an Expression of Interest (EOI) on Skillselect before submitting a Graduate Pathways Assessment Form for this visa.

Requirements for Graduate applicants:

• have a point test result of 80 or higher (for the 190 visa) or 65 points or higher (for the 491 visa), inclusive of state nomination

• provide evidence of employment with a Queensland employer registered in Australia in their nominated occupation (or a closely related occupation) (excludes PhD and Doctorate Graduates)

• meet the minimum English language requirement of IELTS band 7.0

• meet the additional criteria for qualification level detailed below

• Invitations will go to the highest points per occupation (other requirements may be considered where there are a large number of EOI’s for certain points ie regional location, years of work experience etc). EOI’s will remain in our queue based on the points when they were originally lodged

PhD Graduates (190 and 491)

• be living onshore in Queensland

• have completed 100% of the PhD or Doctorate at a Queensland-based institution

• have had a decision on thesis and graduated in the last 2 years

• have an occupation on LIN 19/051

• no job required

Masters Graduates (190 and 491)

Masters 190 nomination criteria Applicants must:

• be living onshore in Queensland

• have completed 100% of a Master’s degree (by research or coursework) at a Queensland-based institution

• have graduated in the last two years

• have a Master’s Degree and skills assessment in a STEM field (fields listed here)

Masters 491 visa criteria

Applicants must:

• be living onshore in regional Queensland

• have completed 100% of the Master’s degree (by research or coursework) at a Queensland-based institution

• have graduated in the last two years

• have an occupation on LIN 19/051

• be employed full-time (35 hours per week minimum) in Queensland in the nominated or closely related occupation in a regional area

Bachelor Graduates (491 only)

Applicants must:

• be living onshore in regional Queensland

• have completed 100% of the Bachelor’s degree at a Queensland-based institution

• have graduated in the last two years

• have a grade point average of 5.5 (or equivalent) or higher

• have an occupation on LIN 19/051

• be employed full-time (35 hours per week minimum) in regional Queensland in the nominated or closely related occupation.

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This pathway is for migrants who are currently living and operating a small business in a regional area. You must have an occupation that is on the list of eligible skilled occupations LIN 19/051 and have a positive skills assessment. Additionally, you must also have full-time work rights and not currently be studying. And finally, Migration Queensland offers nominations under the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491).

Learn more about this visa pathway for small business owners.

Caveats for Selected Occupations

For Accountants (General), preference will be given to applicants employed in an accounting firm. They must be a CPA or are studying towards becoming a CPA. For Internal and External Auditors, they must have a job as an Auditor (not an Accountant). Finally, for Cooks and Chefs: they should not be employed in the takeaway or fast-food businesses.

At a minimum, you are required to have a score of IELTS band 6.0 for your nomination application. That’s for both the Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) and Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491).

However, if you hold a passport and are citizens of the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, the United States of America, or the Republic of Ireland, then you don’t need to provide English language test results. If this exemption applies to you, you must provide a copy of the bio page of your passport.

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Is an English language test required as part of the visa nomination application?

Yes, you must provide a copy of your English language test when you apply.

The Government accepts all English language tests which are deemed eligible by the Department of Home Affairs. IELTS is trusted by the Department of Home Affairs.

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If you meet Queensland state nomination requirements, you will be invited by Migration Queensland to lodge further documentation.

If you do not meet the requirements you will not receive an invitation and will need to speak with an Australian Registered Migration Agent or immigration lawyer about other possible visa pathways.

Get Migration Advice

Legislation about immigration changes frequently. It’s important to check the Australian Department of Home Affairs website for changes that may apply to you. If you are interested in Australian student visas, work visas, or looking to migrate permanently, you need to lodge an application with the Australian Government. You may want to consider getting support from a lawyer or migration agent. However, you can also get free advice for student visas.