Tasmanian State Migration Plan

Posted by Rebecca Berkovic on

The Tasmanian State Migration Plan has now been introduced and requires successful applicants to live in Tasmania for a minimum of two years following grant of State sponsorship. The list of eligible occupations for Tasmanian State sponsorship is now available.

Specific eligibility criteria for Tasmanian State sponsorship apply to the relevant visa subclasses including the subclass 176 Skilled Sponsored visa, subclass 475 Skilled- Regional Sponsored visa, subclass 487 Skilled- Regional Sponsored visa and subclass 886 Skilled Sponsored visa.

Subclass 176 Visa

In order to be eligible for a subclass 176 visa it is necessary to meet the following criteria stipulated by the Tasmanian Government:

  1. You must have a positive skills assessment from a designated Australian assessing authority and your occupation should be on the Tasmanian State Migration Plan list.
  2. You meet the conditions specified on the State Migration Plan list such as a job offer and/or IELTS score.
  3. Applicants must also demonstrate a genuine desire to live and work in Tasmania. In addition to skills, the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and the Arts will consider factors such as:
  • Educational, commercial and/or personal links to Tasmania
  • Evidence of job search and/or strong interest from a local employer
  • Previous visits to Tasmania
  • Potential ease of resettlement and employment in the state
  • Transferrable assets (i.e. A$20,000 for the primary applicant and A$10,000 for each dependent family member.)

Subclass 475 Visa

Eligibility for a subclass 475 visa requires that you satisfy the following criteria:

1. You must meet one of the below specifications:

  • Your occupation is on the Tasmanian State Migration Plan list and you meet the requirements or specialisations required by your occupation (such as the IELTS score) on the list. You also demonstrate good prospects to secure skilled employment on arrival; or
  • Your occupation is not on the Tasmanian State Migration Plan list but you have secured a job offer from your Tasmanian employer; or
  • You recently graduated from a Tasmanian educational institution and returned to your home country but are still eligible for DIAC’s work experience exemption due to the recent two year full-time study. (Any occupation from schedule 4 SOL can be considered). You must explain how you will secure skilled employment in Tasmania.

2. Applicants must also demonstrate a genuine desire to live and work in Tasmania. In addition to skills, the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and the Arts will consider factors such as:

  • Educational, commercial and/or personal links to Tasmania
  • Evidence of job search and/or strong interest from a local employer
  • Previous visits to Tasmania
  • Potential ease of resettlement and employment in the state
  • Transferrable assets (i.e. A$20,000 for the primary applicant and A$10,000 for each dependent family member.)

Subclass 487 Visa

The Tasmanian Government has published different criteria in terms of eligibility for a subclass 487 visa depending on whether an applicant is a Tasmanian Graduate, Non-Tasmanian Graduate or the holder of a Working Holiday or Occupational Trainee visa.

Tasmanian Graduates must meet the following criteria:

  1. You have studied in Tasmania for two years or longer, and meet DIAC’s ‘two year study requirement’;
  2. You have obtained a skills assessment from a recognised Australian assessing authority for your nominated occupation, or can provide evidence of applying for your skills assessment;
  3. You have sufficient English language ability to meet DIAC’s requirements;
  4. You must demonstrate a genuine desire to live and work in Tasmania, as opposed to other regions in Australia;
  5. If you do not have a skilled job offer, explain how you will secure skilled employment in Tasmania.
  6. In addition to skills, the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and the Arts will consider factors such as:
  • Personal links to Tasmania
  • Transferable assets

Any occupation from Schedule 4 SOL can be considered. However, you must meet all of the above to apply for the sponsorship.

Non-Tasmanian Graduates must meet the following criteria:

  1. You have already relocated to Tasmania and worked in a skilled job in your nominated occupation for a Tasmanian employer for at least 3 months full time after completing your qualification; (Note: to achieve this you will need to apply for a Skilled Graduate Visa (subclass 485) before applying for the Skilled Sponsored visa)
  2. Your Tasmanian employer is happy with your work performance and the job is on-going;
  3. Applicants must demonstrate a genuine desire to live and work in Tasmania, as opposed to other regions in Australia;
  4. In addition to skills, the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and the Arts will consider factors such as:
  • Personal links to Tasmania
  • Transferable assets

Any occupation from Schedule 4 SOL can be considered. However, you must meet all of the above to apply for the sponsorship.

Holders of Working Holiday or Occupational Trainee visas must meet the following criteria:

  1. You hold a valid Working Holiday visa (subclass 417) and have spent at least 6 months on the visa; or
  2. You have lived in Tasmania and worked in a skilled job in your nominated occupation for a Tasmanian employer for at least 3 months full time, and the job is on-going;
  3. You hold a valid Occupational Trainee visa (sublcass 442) and completed the specified training;
  4. You have obtained a skills assessment from a recognised Australian assessing authority for your nominated occupation, or can provide evidence of applying for your skills assessment;
  5. You have sufficient English language ability to meet DIAC’s requirements;
  6. You demonstrate a genuine desire to live and work in Tasmania, as opposed to other regions in Australia.
  7. In addition to skills, the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and the Arts will consider factors such as:
  • Personal links to Tasmania
  • Transferable assets

Any occupation from Schedule 4 SOL can be considered. However, you must meet all of the above to apply for sponsorship.

Subclass 886 Visa

Applicants for a subclass 886 visa must satisfy the following specifications published by the Tasmanian Government:

  1. You have studied in Tasmania for two years or longer, and meet DIAC’s ‘two year study requirement’;
  2. You have lived in Tasmania and worked in a skilled job in your nominated occupation for a Tasmanian employer for at least 3 months full time, and the job is on-going. To achieve this, you may need a 485 visa;
  3. You have obtained a skills assessment from a recognised Australian assessing authority for your nominated occupation, or can provide evidence of applying for your skills assessment
  4. You have sufficient English language ability to meet DIAC’s requirements;
  5. You demonstrate a genuine desire to live and work in Tasmania, as opposed to other regions in Australia.
  6. In addition to skills, the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and the Arts will consider factors such as
  • Personal links to Tasmania
  • Transferable assets

Any occupation from Schedule 4 SOL can be considered. However, you must meet all of the above to apply for sponsorship.

If you are a skilled worker interested in applying for sponsorship by the Tasmanian Government, please contact us for assistance.

This is general information only and does not constitute legal advice.

Disclaimer:

The information on this website is intended only to provide a summary and general overview on relevant matters. It is not intended to be comprehensive nor does it constitute legal advice. You are advised to seek legal or other professional advice before acting or relying on any of the content contained in this website.