South Australia Skilled and Business Migration program

South Australia is a state in the southern central part of Australia. It covers some of the most arid parts of the country. Its capital, Adelaide, is the fifth most populous city in Australia.

Recently, on the 26^th of August General Skilled Migration (GSM) program has opened and the South Australian Government has published a revised skilled occupation list, outlining the skills it seeks to fill through overseas talent as well as migrants already living and working in South Australia. 

VISAS FOR SOUTH AUSTRALIA

South Australia offers state nomination across two visa options for skilled migrants that provide pathways to permanent residency:

• Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated Visa: This is a state nominated permanent visa for skilled migrants that allows you to live and work in South Australia.

As part of the state’s plan to attract skilled migrants, the state nomination for South Australia provides applicants with 5 additional points to help qualify for the 190 visa

To apply for this skilled migration visa from the Department of Home Affairs, you must:  

• be under the age of 45 
• have a valid skills assessment  
• have an eligible skilled occupation  
• have at least 65 

• Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa: This is a state nominated provisional visa for skilled migrants that allows you to live and work in South Australia for up to five years and can provide a pathway to permanent residency
  

As part of the state’s plan to attract skilled migrants, the state nomination for South Australia provides applicants with 5 additional points to help qualify for the 491 visa

To apply for this skilled migration visa from the Department of Home Affairs, you must:  

• be under the age of 45 
• have a valid skills assessment  
• have an eligible skilled occupation  
• have at least 65 points  

Nomination streams and special requirements for South Australia

Note: Some occupations are not available to all streams. The list specify what stream is available for each occupation.

1.    South Australian Graduates

If you are an international graduate, who has studied in South Australia, you may be eligible for state nomination as a skilled migrant faster than other candidates. High Performing Graduates may also benefit from certain concessions or waivers under this stream. 

Special requirements for this stream:

• Have completed your qualification at a South Australian higher education provider and meet the following study requirements:
  • Your course in South Australia must be Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) registered, with a minimum of 46 CRICOS weeks
  • Your study meets the minimum qualification level listed for your nominated occupation on the Skilled Occupation List
  • A minimum of 50% of your qualification must have been completed in South Australia
  • You must have resided in South Australia for at least one year during your studies
    

2.    Working in South Australia

If you are a skilled migrant, currently living in South Australia and working in your nominated occupation, you may be eligible for state nomination through this pathway. Candidates may include temporary visa holders, international graduates, self-employed applicants, and sub-contractors.

Special requirements for this stream:

• Meet the minimum work experience requirement listed for your occupation on the Skilled Occupation List
  

3.    Outer Regional South Australia 

This stream is available for those who do not qualify to apply for state nomination under South Australia’s other nomination streams. If you are a skilled migrant, making an important contribution to supporting regional South Australian communities and businesses, you may benefit from certain work experience concessions under this stream. Working holiday makers may also apply under this pathway.

Special requirements for this stream: 

• The location of your work experience must be in Outer Regional area
• Be working in a high skilled position: Skill Level 1 or 2 and receiving a high salary (at least $65,000) for subclass 190 visa nomination
• Provide a letter of support from your employer outlining why you should be considered for state nomination. Your employer must:
  
  • Be a business in Outer Regional South Australia
  • Be an existing business for at least 12 months, and have a premise located and operating in Outer Regional South Australia for the past 12 months
  • Be a business of good standing and there must be no adverse information about the business

4.    Long Term Residents

If you are a long-term resident of South Australia, who does not qualify under the other nomination streams and you are not currently working in your nominated occupation, you may be eligible for state nomination through this stream. Safe Haven Enterprise visa holders may also apply under this pathway. 

Special requirements for this stream:

• Have resided continuously in South Australia for the past five years (at the time of application)
• Be currently working for the past six months in South Australia in any Skill Level 1, 2, 3 or Skill Level 4 Carer and Aide occupation
• Have at least 12 months total work experience in South Australia in any Skill Level 1, 2, 3 or Skill Level 4 Carer and Aide occupation over the past three years.
• During these 12 months of work experience, you must have worked at least:

• for subclass 491 visa nomination: 20 hours per week or 40 hours per fortnight 
• for subclass 190 visa nomination: 30 hours per week or 60 hours per fortnight and:
  
  • be working in a high skilled position: Skill Level 1, or
  • be receiving a high salary (at least $80,000 in Greater Adelaide or $65,000 in regional South Australia).
    

Occupations with specific requirements under this stream:

5.    Highly skilled and Talented 

If you are a highly skilled migrant, who can contribute your demonstrated talent and/or support innovation in South Australia, you can register your interest in state nomination under this pathway. Candidates may include skilled migrants living in South Australia, other Australian states and territories, and offshore. 

Special requirements for this stream:

• Have demonstrated extensive experience, working in highly skilled jobs, in senior or executive level roles
• Demonstrate that you have:
  • already commenced employment in South Australia or
  • Have an employment contract for a position you plan to relocate to in South Australia. You are also able to apply, if you are currently working for a company interstate, and intend to relocate to the South Australian office of your current company, or
  • Have demonstrated specialised experience or niche skills that are highly desired in one of South Australia’s critical priority sectors.

6.    Offshore

If you are a skilled migrant currently living offshore, who has submitted an Expression of Interest using the Commonwealth Government’s SkillSelect system, you may be selected by South Australia and invited to apply for state nomination. 

Special requirements for this stream:

South Australia will be assessing candidates on merit by the following factors, within their nominated occupation:

1. Years and field of skilled employment
2. English language ability
3. EOI points