Frequently asked questions

Migration Queensland’s processing time is currently around 4–6 weeks from receipt of a completed application and processing fee. It may take longer in peak processing season, depending on the number of applications in the queue. We are unable to answer any enquiries regarding an applicants’ place in the queue as it takes resources away from the processing of applications, and extends processing times further.

Yes.

The Australian Government has amended the Migration Act 1958 to allow applicants subject to a ‘section 48 bar’ to lodge a visa application from within Australia, for certain skilled visa subclasses.

From 13 November 2021, onshore applicants affected by the section 48 bar can apply for the following three skilled visas:

• Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491)
• Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)
• Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa (subclass 494).

The legislative change will mean section 48 will no longer be a barrier to these onshore skilled migrants applying for Queensland state nomination.

State nomination allows the states and territories of Australia to sponsor skilled migration applicants under a broad range of industries, to meet their skilled shortages. The state nominating body specifies which business and skilled visas that state or territory nominates applicants under, and it specifies the number of visas that will be granted as part of this program.

Migration Queensland is the state nominating body for the Queensland Government and a business unit of Trade and Investment Queensland (TIQ). In partnership with the Department of Home Affairs, Migration Queensland nominates successful skilled and businesses applicants wanting to establish themselves in Queensland.

Applicants nominated by the Queensland Government agree to live and work in the state of Queensland for a period of 2 years (subclass 190) and 3 years (subclass 491) and must advise our office of their contact and employment details once settled in Queensland.

The commitment commences on the date that you arrive in Queensland to live permanently. If you already reside in Queensland, it is from the date that you are granted your visa.

The amount of settlement funds required depends on the number of people on the application form.

See our Settlement Funds Guide to see how this is calculated.

You are not required to use the services of a migration agent, but doing so may make your application process easier.

You can find further information about registered migration agents on the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA) or Migration Institute of Australia (MIA) websites.

You can find further information about solicitors on the Queensland Law Society website.

To be eligible for state nomination with a PhD or a Doctorate, you will need to have completed a PhD or a Doctorate at a university in Queensland in the past 2 years in an occupation that is listed on the Department of Home Affairs relevant list of eligible skilled occupations.

No, there is no work experience requirement for PhD graduates but applicants must have a skills assessment in a nominated occupation of LIN 19/051.

No. This also includes PhD and Doctorate graduates. You must have finished 100% of your studies prior to lodging an EOI.

Yes, you can – please see criteria here.

Graduates from a Queensland university can also apply through the ‘Skilled workers living in Queensland’ stream if you meet criteria.

To be eligible for the 190 visa you must provide evidence on your EOI that you have worked for 6 months in Queensland (full-time, minimum of 35 hours per week) immediately before submission of your EOI, as well as provide evidence of a job offer in the nominated or closely related occupation that is for a minimum of 12 months and 35 hours per week (skilled workers onshore requirements). Offshore applicants are also eligible for the 190 visa as long as all relevant offshore requirements, including having an occupation on the Queensland Skilled Occupation List (QSOL).

Masters Degree Graduates need to have a full-time job in your nominated or closely related occupation, and have graduated from a STEM qualification in the last two years at a Queensland University.

PhD and Doctorate graduates from a Queensland university are also able to apply for a subclass 190 visa as long as you meet all relevant criteria.

Applicable regions

4019–4022, 4025, 4037, 4074, 4076–4078, 4124–4125, 4133, 4183–4184, 4207–4275, 4280–4287, 4300–4301, 4303–4498, 4500–4512, 4514–4519, 4521, 4550–4575, 4580–4895.

No. Migration Queensland only considers post-qualification paid work experience toward the minimum work experience requirement.

Work experience must be full-time, with a minimum of 35 hours per week.

Documents do not need to be certified for Migration Queensland. 

You must make payment when you submit your documents to have your application processed. If you do not make the payment at this time, then your file will not be processed until Migration Queensland receives payment. If your file then closes because a significant period of time elapses, you would then need to lodge a new Expression of Interest (EOI) and resubmit the required documents.

If there is an error when you attempt to make a payment, click the Back button at the bottom of your screen and try again to enter your details. If you are still experiencing difficulties with your payment, contact migration@qld.gov.au.

Most payment issues are due to:

• insufficient funds on your card, or
• your bank stopping payment because it is flagged as a suspicious withdrawal. In this case, you will need to contact your bank.

No. The application fee is not refundable.

No. State nomination does not guarantee a visa grant from the Department of Home Affairs.

Once your payment has been confirmed, you will receive email receipt. If you accidentally pay twice, you will need to contact us to request a refund.

Yes.

No. However, if you have a completion letter from your institute stating you have finished your course, it will be considered on a case-by-case basis, providing you meet all other requirements for the pathway you are applying under.

Yes, but only if you have full-time work rights – ie you are a dependant of a Masters or PhD student, or have temporary full-time work rights.

Migration Queensland will not accept a second Expression of Interest (EOI) from the same applicant for renomination within 6 months of the first nomination being issued. This also extends to errors with points - make sure that you thoroughly check your EOI to ensure your points are correct before submitting it.

After a 6-month period from the first nomination, you can submit a new Expression of Interest (EOI), if you continue to meet Queensland State Nomination criteria and the program is open.

This is because the MQ database and SkillSelect are not linked, as SkillSelect is a Department of Home Affairs portal. Migration Queensland does not know when you have made changes to your EOI which may increase your points. You will remain in our queue in the order of the points you had when you first lodged your EOI.

This is because there may be many applicants in the queue in front of you with higher points. 80 points is the minimum we will accept for the 190.

No. This was a requirement in the 2020–21 financial year. These statements (which were sent via email) are now not required or used as part of the assessment of your skilled application.