What is state nomination?
State migration programs were introduced in Australia to allow States and Territories to nominate skilled and business migration applicants under a broad range of industries. This is to help meet skills shortages in their labour markets and attract business and investment.
Skilled visas
Queensland’s Skilled Nomination Migration Program (SNMP) offers prospective skilled migrants an opportunity to join our community, contribute to our growing economy, access expanding career pathways, and enjoy our great lifestyle.
Queensland nominates skilled migrants for both provisional visas and permanent residency, which allows them to live and work in Queensland.
Migration Queensland nominates skilled migrants according to their occupation, qualification, and skills in demand within Queensland.
Benefits of seeking state nomination
Nomination from Queensland will provide:
- an additional 5 points for a Skilled Nominated (Permanent) visa (subclass 190) towards the Department of Home Affairs’ points test
- an additional 15 points for a Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) towards the Department of Home Affairs points test
- the same work rights as an Australian citizen, granting independence that’s not tied to a single employer.
Business visas
Queensland welcomes highly skilled and talented business people who wish to bring their investment capital, business acumen and innovative ideas to Queensland.
Recently, the Australian Government has closed the Business Innovation and Investment Program to new applicants.
A National Innovation visa is planned for late 2024.
A business migrant who holds a subclass 188 visa and meets the relevant criteria for the Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) (subclass 888) visa can continue on this pathway after July 2024.
Applicants who do not wish to continue with their subclass 188 application can apply for a refund of their Visa Application Charge (VAC).
Migration Queensland will continue to assess permanent visa (subclass 888) nomination applications for applicants who hold a current provisional visa (subclass 188) and meet the relevant nomination criteria.
For more information, see the Department of Home Affairs Business Innovation and Investment Program news update.