2 November 2010
VICTORIAN STATE SPONSORED MIGRATION PLAN
Introduction
On 01 November 2010, Victoria released its State Migration Plan.
Sponsorship applications for Victorian state sponsorship will be accepted from 03 November 2010.
Revised eligibility lists for occupation under which Victoria state sponsorship may by granted have now been released for Australian visa subclass categories -
· Subclass 176,
· Subclass 886
· Subclass 475
· Subclass 487
The Victorian Government and the Department of Immigration and Citizenship have also agreed to cap places available under Victorian state migration to 4,500 visa sponsorship s for the year 2010-11.
This cap includes both primary and secondary applicants.
Under this cap, there is also individual quotas for individual occupations on the Eligibility Lists and once the quota and /or cap is reached for that occupation, or in total, no more sponsorship applications will be accepted.
Victoria does not charge an application fee for State Sponsorship applications. It is advised that applications can take up to 10 weeks to be approved.
Eligibility:
International Students Applying for Subclass Visa 886
The Subclass 886 Skilled Sponsored Residence Visa, you will need to meet the following requirements to be considered under the State Migration plan and sponsorship;
1. Be an overseas student in Australia and hold an applicable student visa or subclass 485 Skilled Graduate Visa.
2. Have met the 2 year study requirement or can show recent work experience in the nominated occupation that is 12 out of 24 months.
3. Nominate an occupation that is listed on the eligibility list for graduates for the subclass 886 visa.
4. Meet all the other specific occupation requirements, for example science professionals require a PHD level qualification or a relevant job offer.
5. You must be able to show a relevant International English language test (IELTS), with a test result reflecting ‘Competent’ English: this is a score in each category of 6.0 unless you hold an exempt passport.
6. You must have a genuine interest and commitment to living and working in Victoria.
The Eligibility List for the 886 Visa contains the following occupations:
SUBCLASS 886 - OCCUPATIONAL ELIGIBILITY LIST
ANZSCO Code Occupation Specializations / Considerations
Science Professionals
234111 Agricultural Consultant
234112 Agricultural Scientist
234211 Chemist
234411 Geologist
234412 Geophysicist
234599 Life Scientists NEC
234914 Physicist
234999 Natural and Physical Science Professionals NEC
233914 Engineering Technologist
234711 Veterinarian
Mathematicians and Statisticians
224112 Mathematician
224113 Statistician
Health Professionals
254499 Registered Nurses NEC
254111 Midwife
254422 Registered Nurse (Mental Health)
252312 Dentist
252411 Occupational Therapist
252511 Physiotherapist
252712 Speech Pathologist
252611 Podiatrist
251211 Medical Diagnostic Radiographer
251214 Sonographer
252711 Audiologist
Students Applying for Skilled Regional Sponsored 487 Visa
The 487 Skilled Regional Sponsored Visa is available to those students who cannot meet the points criteria, the occupation isn’t listed or work experience requirements to apply for the 886 Permanent Sponsored Visa.
To apply for Victorian Sponsorship you must be able to show the following;
1. Have a relevant job offer of employment in the state of Victoria and in your nominated occupation.
2. Have a job occupation that is on the State Sponsorship Eligibility List for this visa, the job offer must be in regional Victoria (not Melbourne).
3. Demonstrate you have at least a minimum of 2 years work experience in the nominated occupation you seek sponsorship for. Some occupations require a minimum of 5 years work experience: e.g. Chef and Hotel or Motel Manager.
4. Demonstrate English language ability, you must sit the international English language test and score a minimum of 5.0 in each component. Please note that some occupations listed require higher test score results, for example ‘Social Worker’ requires a score of 7.0 or above in each band.
5. Have a genuine interest and commitment to living and working in Regional Victoria for the specified 3year period.
Offshore Applicants applying for the 475 or 176
The provisional 475 Skilled Sponsored Visa is granted for 3 years you must live and work in the Regional area of Victoria who has sponsored or endorsed your application.
You must score 100 points to be eligible for this visa.
The 176 Skilled Sponsored permanent visa, is granted for 5 years and you must live and work in the state of Victoria for a minimum of 2 years as demonstrated commitment, you must score 100 points to be eligible for this.
1. You must have an occupation that is on the eligibility lists for Victoria: The same list applies for both the 475 and 176 Visa Subclasses.
2. You must meet the state requirements for sponsorship. These these include relevant work experience in the nominated occupation and English language ability.
3. You must demonstrate genuine interest and commitment to living and working in Victoria – (Regional Victoria for the 475).
4. Most occupations listed for Victoria require the applicant to show a minimum of 2 years work experience, certain occupations such as Accountant require 3 years; Chefs require 5 years experience.
The Eligibility List for the 475, 487 and 176 Visas contains the following occupations:
SUBCLASS 475, SUBCLASS 487, SUBCLASS 176
OCCUPATIONAL ELIGIBILITY LIST
ANZSCO Code Occupation Specializations / Considerations
Financial Services Professionals
132311 Human Resource Manager
221111 Accountant (General)
221213 External Auditor
Biotechnology and Science Professionals
132511 Research and Development Manager
234111 Agricultural Consultant
234112 Agricultural Scientist
234211 Chemist
234411 Geologist
234412 Geophysicist
234599 Life Scientists NEC
234711 Veterinarian
234914 Physicist
234999 Natural and Physical Science Professionals NEC
233914 Engineering Technologist
Building and Engineering Professionals
133211 Engineering Manager
133513 Production Manager
(Mining)
233211 Civil Engineer
233311 Electrical Engineer
233512 Mechanical Engineer
233513 Production
or Plant Engineer
233611 Mining Engineer
(excluding Petroleum)
312112 Building Associate
312211 Civil Engineering
Draftsperson
312311 Electrical Engineering
Draftsperson
312511 Mechanical Engineering
Draftsperson
Mathematicians and Statisticians
224112 Mathematician
224113 Statistician
Social Professionals
272311 Clinical Psychologist
232611 Urban and Regional Planner
272412 Interpreter
272511 Social Worker
Education Professionals
241111 Early Childhood
241411 Secondary School Teacher
242211 Vocational Education Teacher
Health Professionals
251111 Dietitian
251211 Medical Diagnostic
Radiographer
251214 Sonographer
252312 Dentist
252411 Occupational Therapist
252511 Physiotherapist
252611 Podiatrist
252711 Audiologist
252712 Speech Pathologist
254111 Midwife
254422 Registered Nurse
(Mental Health)
254499 Registered Nurses NEC
Information and Communications Technology Professionals
261111 ICT Business Analyst
261112 Systems Analyst
261311 Analyst Programmer
261312 Developer Programmer
261313 Software Engineer
261314 Software Tester
261399 Software & Applications Programmers NEC
Tourism and Hospitality Tradespersons
141311 Hotel or Motel Manager
351311 Chef
351111 Baker
Automotive Tradespersons
321111 Automotive Electrician
321211 Motor Mechanic (General)
324111 Panel Beater
324311 Vehicle Painter
Engineering Tradespersons
322211 Sheet metal Trades Worker
322311 Metal Fabricator
323111 Aircraft Maintenance
Engineer (Avionics)
323112 Aircraft Maintenance
Engineer (Mechanical)
323113 Aircraft Maintenance
Engineer (Structures)
Construction Tradespersons
331212 Carpenter
331213 Joiner
334111 Plumber (General)
334112 Air conditioning and Mechanical Services Plumber
334113 Drainer
334114 Gasfitter
334115 Roof Plumber
394111 Cabinetmaker
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Tradespersons
341111 Electrician (General)
342211 Electrical Lines worker
342313 Electronic Equipment Trades Worker
342413 Telecommunications Lines worker
342414 Telecommunications Technician
Conclusions
The Victorian government set specific criteria that must be satisfied if you are to be awarded Victorian Sate Sponsorship. Various occupations have further individual criteria that must be met in order to satisfy the states requirements as part of the State Migration Plan. If your application is incomplete inaccurate or you do not satisfy all applicable requirements, then the application will most likely fail and be refused.
Therefore, it is important to have accurate and up-to-date legal advice and assistance in preparing your State Sponsorship and correlating visa applications because quite simply, your future is riding on it!
For an assessment of your application and whether you will be successful in achieving approval through State Sponsorship please contact either Ray Turner or Stewart Coulson immediately by phoning +61 (0)2 9264 4654 or emailing us at info@tcilawyers.com.au
This article should not be taken as legal advice and cannot be relied upon as a complete or accurate representation of the law. It is meant to be indicative only and should be seen as a general informative guide to the visa application process.