Subclass 489 Regional Sponsored Visa

One way you can qualify for the subclass 489 SkillSelect visa is through a nomination by an Australian State or Territory government.

This pathway to the Subclass 489 visa allows you to live and work in a specified regional area of Australia as a provisional resident until such time as you apply for and are granted a subclass 887 permanent residence visa.

Each state and territory government has a list of occupations in demand for which they are prepared to nominate applicants for subclass 489 visas.

Each state or territory government also has its own criteria which have to be met to secure a nomination.
To be eligible for a subclass 489 visa through a nomination by an Australian State or Territory Government you must:

• Have a skilled occupation which must be included on the occupations in demand list of the nominating state or territory
• Meet the other relevant requirements of the relevant State or Territory for the State or Territory nomination
• Be nominated by an Australian State or Territory government
• Have a positive skills assessment in your nominated occupation
• Have not yet turned 50
• Have achieved the qualifying score in the SkillSelect points test, which is currently 60 points (find out more about the points test here)
• Have achieved at least the points score specified in your invitation, based on your Expression of Interest
• Have at least competent English, i.e. an IELTS score of at least 6 in each of the 4 components of an IELTS test, or another accepted English test, unless you hold a valid passport from the UK, USA, Canada, Ireland or NZ
• Lodge an Expression of Interest and be invited by the DIBP to apply for the visa
• Apply for the visa within 60 days of the invitation to apply for the visa

Applicants can be in or outside Australia when they apply and when the visa is granted.

How do I find out which occupations are on the various State and Territory lists?

To find out which occupations are in demand in each state or territory and for which they are prepared to nominate candidates for a subclass 489 visa, please click on the following links:

• New South Wales.
• Northern Territory
• Queensland
• South Australia
• Tasmania
• Victoria
• Western Australia

Note: The ACT is not included in the list above as it is not a Regional Area for the purposes of the 489 Visa.

Where must I live if am granted a 489 via State or Territory nomination?

Your and your family must live in regional Australia or a low population growth area of Australian, in your nominating state for a minimum of two years, and work in that area for a minimum of one year after your visa is granted, to qualify for a subclass 887 permanent residence visa.

Click here for a list of postcodes which are classified as regional or low population areas for the purposes of the 489 visa.

To qualify for a subclass 489 visa through a sponsorship by an eligible relative living in a Designated Area of Australia you must:

• Be sponsored by an eligible relative living in a Designated Area of Australia
• Be nominated in your skilled occupation, which must be an occupation listed on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL)
• Have a positive skills assessment in your nominated occupation
• Have not yet turned 50.
• Have achieved the qualifying score in the SkillSelect points test, which is currently 60 points (find out more about the points test here)
• Have achieved at least the points score specified in your invitation, based on your Expression of Interest.
• Have at least competent English, i.e. an IELTS score of at least 6 in each of the 4 components of an IELTS test, or other accepted English test, unless you hold a valid passport from the UK, USA, Canada, Ireland or NZ
• Lodge an Expression of Interest and be invited by the DIBP to apply for the visa
• Apply for the visa within 60 days of the invitation to apply for the visa
• Have achieved at least the points score specified in your invitation, based on your Expression of Interest.

Applicants can be in or outside Australia when they apply and when the visa is granted. This visa allows applicants to live and work in a Designated Area of Australia as a provisional resident until such time as they apply for and are granted a subclass 887 permanent residence visa.

Which areas in Australia are classified as Designated Areas for the SkillSelect 489 visa?

Click here for a list of postcodes of all areas classified as Designated Areas in Australia.

If you are granted a Subclass 489 visas based on a sponsorship by an eligible family member, you and your family must live in a Designated Area of Australia for a minimum of two years after your visa is granted, and work in a Designated Area for a minimum of one year to qualify for a Subclass 887 permanent residence visa

Our No Visa, No Fee Guarantee lies to all Skilled Independent visas!

Whether you are an individual, a family or a corporate employer looking to sponsor employees, when you engage us (and even before you do) you will experience expert, caring service from a team of dedicated migration specialists who think outside the square. We offer solutions others haven’t considered and our visa/sponsorship success rate is exceptional. We know what works and what doesn’t. We are passionate about getting that visa and mad about our customer service. We will communicate with you every step of the way and always answer any query you may have throughout the process.

Australian Express Migration Solutions has one of the largest and most experienced teams of Registered Migration Agents in Australia, Including Indian and Chinese Migration Agents. We specialise in all aspects of migration including visa applications, citizenship applications and visa refusal appeals. We are also experts in new company set ups and the visa options available to company owners and significant investors.

At all times we are bound by the MARA Code of Conduct giving you further peace of mind.

Australia’s immigration laws regulations are complex and ever-changing. We will quickly assess your Australian visa options and get you on the road to your future in Australia.

Getting an Australian visa is one of the greatest gifts you will ever have, but the process is complex and fraught with many pitfalls for the unsuspecting applicant who decides to lodge their own application – we have heard many horror stories and have in fact “rescued” many doomed applications as well. It’s just not worth it. One error, however small, can lead to your visa being refused.

Your dream of a future in Australia can be realised and by using Australian Express Migration Solutions to handle your application you will give yourself the best possible chance of success. It’s what we do, day in day out -and the best part of our day is calling clients to tell them they have been granted their visa!

Application fees for all types of Australian visas have increased ridiculously in recent years, and it makes no sense to fumble around doing your own application and potentially losing a lot of money, and having a visa/sponsorship refusal on your record. Why gamble with your future and your money?

If your application qualifies for our “No Visa, No Fee Guarantee” we will refund our professional fees to you including GST if applicable, in the unlikely event your visa is refused.

Call Australian Express Migration Solutions on +61 39002 1808 to arrange a consultation, or book a consultation here and we’ll assess your prospects of success with this visa type (Fees apply).