Tasmania is an Australian province where vibrant communities co-exist harmoniously amidst breath-taking natural surroundings. The ample career opportunities, affordable housing, mild climate, excellent education system and healthcare facilities attract several skilled workers to this state. Australian states and territories can nominate suitable individuals to fulfill skill shortages in the local labour market. Through state nomination under the Skilled Regional (Provisional) Subclass 489 visa, a qualified skilled worker currently residing a country other than Australia can live and work in the nominating state or territory for up to 4 years. Under this visa, there are also pathways for Tasmanian graduates and foreign nationals working in Tasmania.
The Australian Department of Home Affairs (DHA) invites most highly-qualified candidates to apply for this visa. To qualify for this provisional visa, an overseas skilled worker must:
• Be under 45 years old.
• Have a nominated occupation listed on the Tasmanian Skilled Occupation List.
• Receive a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority.
• Demonstrate Proficient English by appearing for an approved language examination.
• Score at least 65 points in the DHA point test. State nomination under Subclass 489 adds 10 points to the total score.
• Unlike Subclass 189 visa holders – who can choose to live anywhere in Australia – Subclass 489 applicants must commit to living in Tasmania for at least two years after arriving.
• In the preceding 12 months, the applicant or accompanying dependents must not have lived in any other Australian state or territory.
• Provide evidence that there are sufficient job opportunities in Tasmania for the nominated skilled occupation, for which the applicant’s skills and experience are relevant.
• Possess sufficient settlement funds to support themselves and dependents after migrating to Tasmania.
Eligible applicants can follow a simple procedure to apply for the Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa:
Step 1: File an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect – the DHA’s online assessment portal – to indicate interest in skilled migration.
Step 2: Apply for nomination to the Tasmanian government online through their immigration website. Typically, the Tasmanian government requires three months to process an application for state nomination under the Subclass 489 and 190 visa.
Step 3: If nominated, the applicant will be notified and receive an invitation to apply for the Subclass 489 visa from the DHA. Within 60 days of receiving the invitation, the complete application – including relevant documents and fees – must be submitted to the DHA online through ImmiAccount. After due verification, the visa may be granted.
After living in Tasmania for two years, including at least one year of full-time work (35 or more hours per week), the Subclass 489 visa holder may be eligible to apply for permanent residence through the Skilled Regional visa (Subclass 887).
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