South Australia State Nomination Program 2024-2025 is now open!

South Australia State Nomination Program 2024-25 is open with 3,800 spots for skilled migrants! This article will share everything you need to know: eligibility, streams, application process, and expert tips to boost your application success.

What’s new in South Australia State Nominated Program for 2024-25?

South Australia (SA) has officially launched its state-nominated skilled migration program for the 2024-2025 financial year. This program provides various opportunities for international skilled workers to contribute to the state’s economy.

The Australian Government has allocated South Australia 3,800 nomination places for 2024-2025. This allocation is divided into two main visa categories:

• 3000 places for Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa: This permanent visa is designed for skilled individuals seeking to live and work permanently in South Australia.
• 800 places for Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) visa: This provisional visa is suitable for skilled individuals who wish to live and work in designated regional areas of South Australia.

South Australian Skilled Migration Occupation List 2024-25

South Australia has established a comprehensive Skilled Migration Occupation List (SMOL) for the 2024-25 program year. This list outlines the occupations eligible for state nomination or endorsement under the state’s skilled migration program.

The SMOL is divided into two categories:

• Onshore Occupations: includes 464 occupations that are eligible for individuals currently residing within South Australia.
• Offshore Occupations: includes 427 occupations that are eligible for individuals residing outside of South Australia.

Moreover, South Australia has identified several priority occupation areas that align with the state’s economic and social needs, including:

• Life Sciences
• Social and Welfare
• Critical technologies
• Resources and Energy
• Trade and Construction
• Health & Medical Sciences
• Early Childhood and Teaching
• Defence, Space and Cyber Security

SA State Nomination Streams for Skilled migrants

South Australia offers state nomination programs to attract skilled migrants, helping boost the economy and address skill shortages. These programs provide pathways for both onshore and offshore applicants to secure skilled migration visas.

Offshore Stream

Skilled migrants living outside Australia can submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) for state nomination. If selected, they’ll be invited to apply for a South Australian nomination. Offshore invitation rounds are held regularly throughout the program year.

Important Note: The South Australia State Nomination Program is not open to applications for the Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188). However, business or investor migrants who already hold a subclass 188 can apply for a nomination for the extension stream or permanent visa (subclass 888) if they are eligible.

Onshore Streams

Eligible onshore applicants who meet the requirements can submit a Registration of Interest (ROI). Successful applicants will be invited to apply for state nomination through one of three streams:

• Skilled Employment in South Australia Stream: for applicants who have demonstrated a commitment to South Australia through work experience in their skilled occupation.
• South Australian Graduates Stream: for applicants who have studied and worked in South Australia in their skilled occupation.
• Outer Regional Skilled Employment Stream: supports regional areas by addressing skill shortages in South Australia’s outer regions.

Requirements for SA State Nomination 2025

Base Requirements

To be eligible for South Australia State Nomination, you have to meet the Home Affairs requirements and SA base requirements, as the following table:

Specific Requirements

South Australian Graduates (onshore)

First, applicants need to complete a qualification in South Australia:

• Meet the minimum qualification level required for your nominated occupation on the South Australian Skilled Occupation List.
• Have at least 75% of your qualifications completed in South Australia.

There are also some specific requirements for applicants’s work experience:

• Have at least 12 months of full-time work experience in South Australia after completing your qualification.
• Currently living and working for the last 6 months in SA (minimum 30 hours per week) in their nominated occupation or a job related to their nominated occupation (the same skill level, within the same 2- 2-digit ANZSCO).

Outer Regional Skilled Employment (onshore)

To be eligible under the Outer Regional Skilled Employment (onshore) streams, applicants need to demonstrate that they have been continuously living and working for a minimum of 9 months in an outer regional area of South Australia. In addition, applicants need to ensure they meet the following criteria:

• Employment: Applicants have to be employed in their nominated occupation or a closely related occupation. The related occupation must be at the same skill level and within the same 2-digit ANZSCO code.
• Work Hours: Maintain a minimum of 30 hours per week in their employment.
• Geographical Location: The outer regional areas eligible for this nomination are specified on the South Australian Government’s Department for International Development’s website. Applicants must reside within one of these designated postcodes to meet the geographic requirements.
• Continuity of Residence: The 9-month residency period must be continuous and uninterrupted.

Skilled Employment in South Australia (onshore)

Applicants under the Outer Regional Skilled Employment (onshore) stream need to ensure that they have been continuously residing and working in SA for at least 12 months before submitting their nomination application.

A key requirement is that the work undertaken during these 12 months must be in the applicant’s nominated occupation or a closely related occupation. To qualify as closely related, the occupation must be at the same skill level and fall within the same 2-digit ANZSCO code as the nominated occupation.

This requirement ensures that applicants have gained genuine work experience in a relevant field within the South Australian community and are well-positioned to contribute to the region’s economic growth and development.

Offshore stream

The Offshore stream prioritizes skilled migrants with in-demand skills and invites them to apply for SA nomination based on their SkillSelect EOI. Applicants must meet the following requirements before applying for SA nomination:

• Residency: Must be residing offshore.
• Skill Demand: Have skills in occupations identified as high-demand by South Australia.
• EOI Submission: Have a current and up-to-date EOI in SkillSelect, with South Australia selected as the primary state of interest.
• Work Experience: Have at least 3 years of skilled work experience in the nominated or a closely related occupation within the last 5 years. However, construction trades require only 1 year of skilled work experience within the last 3 years.

South Australia will assess applicants based on their English language ability, Years and field of skilled employment, and EOI points. Therefore, skilled migrants seeking a nomination from SA should carefully review these criteria.

How to apply for a SA State Nomination?

Like Queensland State Nomination, the application process for the SA State Nomination Program 2024-25 involves the following steps:

1. SkillSelect EOI: Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect, indicating South Australia as your preferred state.
2. Registration of Interest (ROI): If you are currently residing in South Australia, register your interest on the South Australian government’s official website.
3. Invitation to Apply: If your EOI and ROI meet the requirements, you will be invited to submit a formal application for South Australian state nomination within 14 days.
4. Assessment: South Australian authorities will assess your nomination application.
5. Nomination and Visa Invitation: If successful, you will be nominated by South Australia and receive a Department of Home Affairs (DHA) invitation to apply for your visa.

Depending on the type of service and type of applicants registered, processing time will vary as follows:

The application fee for South Australian nomination is AUD 370 for both subclass 190 and subclass 491. There are no associated costs for submitting an ROI.

South Australia also offers free support services, including Recognition of Overseas Qualifications and Recognition of Trade Skills.

Tips for a successful ROI and application

To increase your chances of success, here are some tips shared for completing your Expression of Interest (ROI) and subsequent application:

• Only attach the documents explicitly requested for your specific stream. Including unnecessary documentation can delay processing.
• Submit all inquiries and manage your application process through the dedicated online portal.
• Ensure your SkillSelect Expression of Interest (EOI) is current and reflects your most recent information.
• Select South Australia as your primary state of interest in your EOI to optimize your chances of receiving an invitation for nomination.
• Consider professional assistance from migration agents for additional guidance throughout the process.

The article above provides information about the South Australia Nomination Program 2024-25. Armed with this knowledge, you can confidently navigate the process and move closer to your Australian dreams.

Still have questions or need personalized guidance? Contact VEM today! Our team, led by MARA agent, Mr. Peter Cao (MARN: 1577877, MIA: 12648), is here to assist you every step of your journey.

By: Peter Phong D Cao – Registered migration agent.

(MARN: 1577877, MIA: 12648)