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MIGRATION FOR NONGS
QLD State Sponsorship
Applying for a Skilled Nominated 190 Visa with Queensland

If you'd like to read about sponsorships from other states, we have covered Australian Capital Territory (ACT), New South Wales (NSW), Victoria (VIC), South Australia (SA)Tasmania (TAS)Western Australia (WA) and Northern Territory (NT). Click on the respective states to visit those articles.

We've done a trek round Australia and now we're here in our last state, Queensland. This is the sunshine state, home to so many natural beauties and a city that is just blooming. Just Google for images of Queensland and we promise you'll start drooling. Queensland's migration site tempts with catchy hook lines like "live and work in paradise" and you know what? We're thoroughly convinced.

State sponsored 190 visas
 require that you fulfil the following:
  • your nominated occupation to be present on the state's occupation list(s)
  • a suitable skills assessment in that nominated occupation
  • satisfying the state's eligibility criteria
  • meeting the minimum Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) score of 60 on the points test (inclusive of the 5 extra points you get for state sponsorship) and other base requirements such as a health and character conditions
  • committing to living and working in the state for at least the first two years upon your move to Australia should your visa be granted

Queensland has 4 available occupation lists. Wow. Let's see what the eligibility criteria are for each.

The list for those currently working in Queensland

The Queensland skilled occupation list for migrants currently working in Queensland has supplementary conditions on certain occupations. Outside fulfilling these, it is required that you:
  • Nominate an occupation that is open for applications (ticks)
  • Be living in Queensland in the last 12 months
  • Have ongoing employment in your nominated occupation in Queensland and evidence that it will continue for at least another 12 months
  • Have evidence of sufficient funds to support your continuing to live in Queensland

Additional requisites laid out in the occupation list may indicate specific skill sets, but mostly ask for registrations or has specifications surrounding work experience. Work experience must be post qualification and internships or pre-requisite years for being able to to practice in your occupation cannot be considered.

The current employment conditions are quite stringent as well. You need to have been working with one employer in your nominated occupation in the last 12 months and will continue to for another 12 months at the time of application. No job hopping! The job must be full-time, and Queensland defines this as being for a minimum of 35 hours/week.

Don't mix up work experience with current employment. If your nominated occupation on the occupation list has an additional requirement 5 years of experience post qualification, not all has to have been in Queensland. The current employment criteria stands independently.


The list for those not currently in Queensland

The Queensland skilled occupation list for applicants not current working in Queensland applies to applicants who are either in another Australian state of offshore. This list also has its own set of rules on specialisations and work experience.
  • Nominate an occupation that is open for applications (ticks)
  • Have at least 2 years work experience post qualification in your nominated occupation (unless otherwise indicated)
  • Have evidence of sufficient funds to support your move to Queensland

If you are in another Australian state, you also must have and have accepted a genuine job offer in Queensland in your nominated occupation.


The lists for international postgraduate alumni

The Queensland skilled occupation list for postgraduate alumni are for those who have completed 100% of their Masters or PhDs courses at Queensland institutions in the last two years. This list is also subject to extra requirements. No work experience is required for those on this list, so these requirements are on occupation specialisations and registrations. As with the previous two lists, the applicant must evidence in their application the appropriate amount of settlement funds.

Masters holders need to have and have accepted a genuine offer of employment in their nominated occupation. This job needs to be for at least 12 months, and be full time, being 35 hours/week or more.

PhD holders have access to the Consolidated Sponsored Occupation List (CSOL). Applicants need only a positive decision on their thesis.


All the above criteria are Queensland initiated and do not overrule any other DIBP requisites. Skills assessments that require work experience different to what Queensland has asked for need to be fulfilled on the assessing authorities terms for a suitable skills assessment which is an necessity for any state nominated 190 visa.

The state takes 2 weeks to process an application for this pathway with a decision ready application. Decisions are final and cannot be reviewed. As such it is absolutely imperative that you prepare your application to the best of your ability, leaving little to clarify. As with all applications, applying does not equate to acceptance.

We love how clearly defined the different pathways are for Queensland on the state migration site but lament that only postgraduates seem to be celebrated, with not even small grants given to those who have studied in and graduated in Queensland. It seems easier to get in with higher qualifications than if you have been working in Queensland!











 

By  Zoe He
Senior Migration Agent (MARN: 1464926)
Australian Immigration Law Services 
 
Is the DIBP is watching your every move?
 
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Looking for work here in Australia whilst on a tourist visa? Well the DIBP may soon be on your tail! A simple check using the VEVO system will lay bare all the details surrounding your visa. A potential employer would need to know your work rights and those approaching employers when perhaps they shouldn't be may be no different to waving a red flag at a bull, a bull that may soon be on its way.

Remember! The condition on a tourist visa is that you must be a genuine visitor. This means that you are not meant to be seeking employment here. If the DIBP picks up information that you are looking for work your whilst on a tourist visa via a potential employer checking your work rights on VEVO, you maybe risking your visa and possibly future visits to this country. So be careful out there job hunting on visas not designed for that purpose.
New Zealand sees a 13% growth in international students
 
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Kudos to New Zealand, for these figures indicate that New Zealand is becoming more internationally recognised for its quality of education. This hike in international enrollments can only mean good things for the economy, but is that all there is to it? 

The largest driving force behind this growth are students from India who have increased by a significant 45% (9013 students) between 2014 and 2015. With Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics and Private Training Establishments taking in the majority share of this increase and over 30% of visas being declined due to concerns surrounding sufficient funds and genuine intention, it is a fair concern these students are using study as a means of entry or as a stepping stone to permanent residency. Should this be a concern for migration? Are private institutions prioritising profits too high above 'quality control'?

Source: ICEF Monitor
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