Skilled workers outside Australia
Program update
Migration Queensland has opened the State Nominated Migration Program for FY24-25.
Who is this pathway for?
Skilled workers outside of Australia who can contribute to Queensland’s strongest skilled workforce needs, including:
- The transition to net zero and climate change adaptation.
- The delivery of more hospitals, upgraded schools, more housing and better transport under Queensland’s Big Build.
- Queensland’s increasing demand for health care.
Who is eligible?
To be eligible for a Queensland nomination, you must meet both the Australian Department of Home Affairs requirements and Migration Queensland requirements for your chosen visa category.
Minimum Department of Home Affairs requirements for State Nominated visas are available on the following web pages:
To meet minimum Migration Queensland requirements, you must:
Requirement | Skilled Nominated (Permanent) visa (subclass 190) | Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) |
|---|---|---|
Points | Have a points test result of 65 or higher | Have a points test result of 65 or higher |
Occupation | Have an occupation on the offshore Queensland Skilled Occupation List | Have an occupation on the offshore Queensland Skilled Occupation List |
English | Have Competent English or higher | Have Competent English or higher |
Work experience | Have at least 5 years skilled employment experience in your nominated occupation or a closely related occupation. Only work experience declared as related to your nominated occupation on your EOI will be considered. You must be in ongoing, full-time employment in your nominated occupation when you are invited. | Have at least 5 years skilled employment experience in your nominated occupation or a closely related occupation. Only work experience declared as related to your nominated occupation on your EOI will be considered. You must be in ongoing, full-time employment in your nominated occupation when you are invited. |
Commitment to living in Queensland | Must commit to living and working in Queensland for 2 years from date your visa is granted | Must commit to living and working in Queensland for 3 years from date your visa is granted |
Note:
Only Skilled Occupations on the Offshore Queensland Skilled Occupation List are eligible to apply for Queensland Nomination.
Priority processing for Energy Workers
Queensland’s shift towards clean energy is driving new job opportunities and growing our skilled workforce with project managers, engineers, tradespersons, technicians and other occupations in high demand.
Skilled workers outside Australia are considered for priority processing if they meet the minimum Migration Queensland requirements outlined above, and:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
Occupation | Have a positive skills assessment for a priority occupation to support the energy sector. |
Work experience | Have been working in your nominated occupation, or a closely related occupation, for at least 3 years in the energy sector. This experience can be counted towards the standard minimum 5 years' work experience requirement. |
Note:
Only Skilled Occupations on the Queensland Energy Skilled Occupation List are eligible for the Energy Workers priority processing. Migrants with experience in the energy sector that do not have an occupation on the Queensland Energy Skilled Occupation List are encouraged to apply for the Skilled Workers Outside Australia pathway.
Selection and invitation for Queensland nomination
Being selected and invited to apply for Queensland nomination is a competitive process due to strong demand from potential candidates.
Migration Queensland periodically selects and invites candidates to apply for Queensland nomination throughout the financial year.
Migration Queensland considers a range of factors to select and invite candidates to apply for nomination. These include information entered in your Expression of Interest (SkillSelect) and Registration of Interest (Migration Queensland) such as: total skilled employment experience, English language ability and partner skills.
Before you apply for Queensland nomination
EOIs must meet all Queensland requirements at the time they are submitted. Migration Queensland will not nominate any EOIs that meet requirements after being submitted.
Before submitting an Expression of Interest in the Australian Government’s SkillSelect database, or Registration of Interest for Queensland nomination via the link below, you must read the Frequently Asked Questions and Documentation Checklist.
Here you will find critical information that you need to be aware of to ensure that your application is valid and will be considered.
How to apply for Queensland nomination
You can review the application process and find the link to submit a Registration of Interest on our Register your interest in Queensland nomination page.