State Nomination Update August 2017

webster By Mark Webster
Wednesday, 23 August 2017

State Nomination is very beneficial when applying for General Skilled Migration.

Even though the State Migration Plans only reopened in July 2017, there have already been some changes announced by various states and territories.

This article explains some of the recent changes

ACT Offshore Program Closed

Effective 23 August 2017, the ACT offshore program will be more limited.

If you are living overseas, you will need to show "close ties" to the ACT - this could be either:

  • A job offer in your nominated occupation in the ACT; or
  • Close family living in the ACT for the last 12 months and who are Australian permanent residents or citizens.
People who are resident in the ACT can still apply for ACT nomination, as can people who have completed a PhD within the last 2 years from a University in the ACT.

Queensland Suspends Processing State Nominations in 24 Occupations

Business and Skilled Migration Queensland (BSMQ) announces on 21 August that they would temporarily suspend processing of nominations in 24 occupations.

The suspension will be until further notice, so it is not yet clear if processing will recommence at some stage during the 2017-18 program year.

Occupations were removed in the following fields:

  • Accounting
  • IT
  • Hospital and Retail Pharmacists
  • Mechanical Engineers
  • Public Relations
  • Interior Designers
  • Insurance Agents

It is not yet clear if the suspension also applies to PhD graduates from Queensland.

South Australia Program Filling Fast for Popular Occupations

South Australia has been very active in nominating applicants. There are a number of IT specialisations which are now on the "Special Conditions Apply" list - this means that they are only available if you have close ties to South Australia:
  • 261111 ICT Business Analyst
  • 261112 Systems Analyst
  • 261313 Software Engineer
  • 263111 Computer Network and Systems Engineer
Other occupations which are now on the "Special Conditions Apply" list include:
  • 224712 Organisation and Methods Analyst
  • 232311 Fashion Designer
  • 312211 Civil Engineering Draftsperson
  • 312912 Metallurgical or Materials Technician

Conclusion

State nomination gives a huge advantage when it comes to applying for General Skilled Migration.

However, the requirements change quickly and opportunities may only be available for a short period of time.

For advice on your state nomination options, please book a consultation with one of our advisors. They will be able to quickly explain which state nomination opportunities are available, and how to improve your chances of being eligible.

References

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