Queensland State Nomination Program 2024-2025

The Queensland State Nomination Program for 2024-25 provides skilled migrants the opportunity to live and work in one of Australia’s most dynamic regions. In 2024-2025, Migration Queensland has been allocated 1,200 nomination places. Dive in to learn more about the occupation lists, application procedures, and eligibility criteria for Queensland state nomination.

Queensland Skilled Migration State Nomination Program 2024-25

The Queensland State Nomination Skilled Migration Program 2024-25 offers a pathway to permanent residency in Australia for skilled workers. To be eligible, applicants need to meet specific criteria and obtain a nomination from the Queensland Government.

There are two visa subclasses available:

• Skilled Nominated (Permanent) Subclass 190 visa: allows for permanent residency in Queensland
• Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Subclass 491 visa: provides a temporary pathway to live and work in regional areas for up to five years, with the potential to apply for permanent residency (subclass 191) after three years.

In addition, Migration Queensland will remain open to processing applications for the Permanent Business Innovation and Investment (subclass 888) visa and 188 visa extension requests.

Queensland State Nomination Allocations for 2024-2025

The Queensland government has announced its nomination allocation for the 2024-25 financial year, which includes 1,200 places:

• Skilled Nominated (Permanent) visa (subclass 190): 600 places
• Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491): 600 places

However, the Queensland 2024-25 State Nominated Migration Program has not yet opened, the program is expected to be open for applications by mid-September.

Meanwhile, Migration Queensland is currently accepting Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from interested applicants, but only EOIs lodged on or after September 5, 2023, will be considered.

Queensland State Nomination application process

The Queensland State Nomination application process involves 5 key steps:

Step 1: Eligibility Assessment

• Thoroughly review the eligibility criteria, visa conditions, and document checklist
• Ensure you meet both requirements and have all necessary documentation prepared, including proof of registration if applicable for your occupation.

Step 2: EOI Submission

• Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect.
• Provide detailed information about your work experience and select Queensland as your sole state of interest.

Step 3: Invitation to Apply

• If your EOI meets the eligibility criteria, you will receive an invitation from Migration Queensland to proceed with the nomination application.

Step 4: Nomination Application

• Upon receiving the invitation, upload the required documents (merged into a single file if multiple documents exist) and pay the non-refundable application fee.
• Make sure to complete this process within the 14-day timeframe provided.

Step 5: Assessment and Approval

• Migration Queensland will assess your application and may request additional information.
• If approved, you will receive an invitation from the Department of Home Affairs to lodge your visa application within 60 days.

Queensland Skilled Migration Requirements

To qualify for a Queensland state nomination, applicants need to meet requirements by both Migration Queensland and the Department of Home Affairs for their chosen visa.

Australia Department of Home Affairs requirements

The Home Affairs criteria require applicants to have:

• Be below the age of 45.
• A positive skills assessment in their nominated occupation.
• A points-test score of 65 or more, including state nomination points.
• Meet the minimum English language proficiency requirement of “Competent,” unless a higher level is specified by the relevant assessing authority.

Migration Queensland requirements

To obtain a nomination form from Queensland, applicants can apply under three main pathways:

• Skilled Workers Living in Queensland
• Skilled Workers Living Offshore
• Graduates of Queensland University

Eligibility Requirements for Skilled Visas

To be eligible to settle in Queensland, in addition to the basic requirements of the Australian Department of Home Affairs above, candidates need to meet the following specific requirements:

Onshore applications

To be eligible for a Queensland state nomination as an onshore applicant, you need to meet the following criteria:

• Occupation: Your nominated occupation must be listed on the QSOL ‘Working in Queensland’ list.
• Work Experience: Demonstrate at least six months of full-time post-qualification employment in your nominated occupation within Queensland.
• Current Employment: Provide evidence of ongoing full-time employment with a registered Queensland employer. The document must include the employer’s name, your job duties, and your weekly working hours (at least 35 hours per week).
• Commitment: Commit to living and working in Queensland for two years from the date your visa is granted.

Offshore applications

Migration Queensland has introduced the Offshore (for both subclass 190 and 491) program to attract skilled professionals from overseas and address Queensland’s labor shortage. For subclass 491, applicants needd to have a legitimate job offer for at least 12 months in a regional area of Queensland.

To meet the Business Skills Migration Queensland (BSMQ) criteria, offshore applicants need to:

• Have experience in a QSOL ‘Offshore’ occupation: The applicant must have experience in one of the occupations listed on the Queensland Skilled Occupation List (QSOL) under the ‘Offshore’ category.
• Demonstrate relevant work experience: The applicant must have at least two years of experience working in their nominated occupation.
• Express commitment to Queensland: The applicant must be committed to permanently living and working in Queensland.

For offshore applicants applying as a Cook or Chef, Queensland requires a letter of employment from a registered employer in the state. This letter should include the job responsibilities and working hours. The applicant also needs to show evidence that they’ve accepted the job offer.

Postgraduates

Queensland Skilled Immigration for Postgraduates is a program aimed at attracting highly skilled international graduates of Queensland universities to fill skill shortages within the state.

This program offers nominations only for the Skilled Nominated (Permanent) visa (subclass 190) to eligible Master’s and Ph.D. graduates. This pathway is not available for applicants who have already been granted the Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491).

To qualify for this program, offshore applicants must meet the following criteria:

For detailed information, please contact VEM. Our registered migration agent (MARN: 1577877, MIA: 12648) will provide you with personalized guidance to navigate your immigration journey successfully.

By: Peter Phong D Cao – Registered migration agent.

(MARN: 1577877, MIA: 12648)

Frequently asked questions