FAQ - State Sponsorhip

FAQ - State sponsored GSM visas

STOP PRESS:

28/7/2009

Change in State Sponsorship rules for WA : Effective 24/7/2009

English

To get state sponsorship from WA, applicants will need to score 7 in each of the four components in ihe IELTS test. This applies to all applications lodged after this date and also applies to applicants who are citizens of New Zealand,

UK, Ireland, USA and Canada and Graduate students of Australia

Work Experience

All applicants will need to demosntrate that they have worked at least 12 months in the last 24 months in their nominated occupation in which they are seeking state sponsorhip.

17/12/2008

Now states and territories can sponsor upto 500 applicants who have occupations outside the State/Terrirory's Skills Shortage List.

Applicants with state sponsorship will get higher processing priority.

See FAQ 2008-2009 Changes to GSM processing priority

Select link to listen to : Canberra Radio interview of Amin Rahman 4th August 2008 ON SPONSORED visas.

Q I do not score 120 points under the points testing system. I do not have any relatives in Australia who can sponsor me. Can I apply for some other visa?

A Yes, if you meet the following you may apply for one of the two types of State Sponsored visas.

(a) meet the four basic criteria,

(b) score at least 90 points on your own
(c) your nominated occupation is in one of the two demand lists of a state or territory and

(d) meet all the requirements for the relevant visa

The basics about the two sponsored visa types

Q: What are the two State Sponsored visas?

A: One is called Skilled (Migrant) Sponsored subclass 176 visa and the other one is Skille (Provisional) Regional SponsoredSubclass 476 visa.

Q What are the main differences between the Skilled Sponsored (migrant) visa and Skilled Regional Sponsored (Provisional) visa?

A: Skilled Sponsored (migrant) visa is a 5 year permanent visa. The holders can live and stay anywhere in Australia. They are entitled to free medical and educational facilities at state schools for children like Australian citizens and other permanent visa holders. After two years of stay in Australia they become eligible for social security benefits. They can buy property, both for living and for investment purposes.

A Skilled Sponsored (Provisional) visa is a 3 year temporary visa. They have to reside in the designated area where their sponsoring relatives live. After two years, if they can show that either the applicant or spouse has worked for 12 months (does not have to be continuous) then they may apply for a permanent resident visa. While on a temporary visa they may not be entitled to free medical and free education at state schools for children unless the host state gives them special consideration. They have to get a permission to buy a property for living and cannot buy a property for investment.

Q: How many points do I need to score for these visas?

A For both these visas the points required is 100 points. You will need to score at least 90 points on your own and if you get sponsorship from a state/terrioty, you will get 10 more points.

Q: How many points does my relative need to score for the Skilled Regional Sponsored (provisional) visa?

A: 100 points.

Q: How do I know how many points I will score?

A: You may go thorugh the FAQ - GSM Offshore page in this site and calculate your points.

Skilled Sponsored (migrant) visa:

Q: If both visas require me to score 90 points on my own, for which visa should I apply?

A: As subclass 176 is a permanent visa, first you should check if you are eligible for this visa.

Q: How do I check if I am eligible for the Skilled (migrant) sponsored visa?

A: You have to go through the Demand Occupation List of each state to find out if your nominated occupation is in their list and the conditions, like skills assessment (mandatory), licensing, years of work experience, English competency, access to funds, they require. If you meet those conditions then you will be eligible and can thus apply for sponsorship from that state.

Q Where can I find the demand occupation lists of different states/territories for this visa?

A You will find the occupation demand lists for states/territories by clicking on the lists below:

Australian Capital Territory

Western Australia

New South Wales - Finance Sector

New South Wales - ICT Sector

New South Wales - Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology sector

Queensland

Q: Is there any difference between Skilled Independent (migrant) visa (subclass 175) and Skilled Sponsored (provisional) visa as far as rights of stay and entitlements.

A: Not really. Both visa holders (subclass 175 and 176) get five year permanent visas. On first arrival in Australia, they are entitled to medical and educational facilities like citizens and can stay and work anywhere in Australia. After they have completed the required stay periods and met other criteria, they are entitled to social benefits and can apply for Australian citizenship.

Q: I heard that only MODL or 60-point occupations are in the state/territory's Skilled Sponsored (migrant) visa demand list. I have a 50-point occupation. So I guess I cannot apply for this visa right?
A: There are some 50-point occupations in different state/territory's demand lists. There are also non-MODL 60-point occupations in the state/territory demand lists. If your nominated occupation is one of them then you may apply for sponsorship from the relevant state/territory if you meet the other conditions. Some 50 and 40-point point occupations in state/territory demand lists ( 11/9/2008) are given below:

      Victoria:
Mathematician: Must have skills/experience in the science industry. Specialising in • Computational fluid dynamics • Shortage in research capability
          Statistician: Must have skills/experience in the science or finance industry.• Advanced statistical modelling • Bayesian methods
                            • Quantitative risk management • Shortage in research capability
Environmental Health Officer: Must have skills/experience in: • Waste water management/treatment
Northern Territory:
          Geologist
      Queensland
          Geologist, Geophysicist,
      Western Australia
          Geologist, Geophysicist, Surveyor
    NSW
         Finance Sector: Actuary, Inusrancer Broker (40-pont) , Financial Investment Adviser(40-point)
         Pharmaceutical and Bio Technology sector: Laboratory Manager, Biochemist (Research Associate),Life Scientist (Research Associate)
   Chemist,

Note: These lists are regularly updated. You should check the latest demand list for a state/territory before applying for sponsorship.

Q:   An applicant with an occupation in the MODL gets 60 points for skills and 15 points for MODL. Why should such an applicant think of applying for state sponsorship.
A:   There can be various reasons for which an applicant with an occupation is the MODL list may not be able to score 120 points required for Skilled Indpendent (migrant) visa. The applicant may

   (a) be in a high age group thus getting less points for age.
   (b) may get only 15 points for English instead of 25.
   (c) may not have 3 years work experience in their nominated or related occupation to get 10 points for Specific Work Experience
   (d) may not have 12 months work experience in the last 48 months in their nominated occupation to get the MODL points.

(e) may not be in CSL queue. So when application will be processed is not known..

Q; If I get a sponsorhip from a state/territory, do I have to continue living in that state/territory all the time?
A: Until you have fulfilled the state/territory's requirement for living in that state, you are expected to live and work in that state/territory. But there is no bar on your visiting other states/territories for holidays or otherwise.. Also, if you do not find any job in the state/territory that sponsored you but receive a job offer from anotther state/territory you may move to the other state/territory with permission from your sponsoring state/territory

Skilled (Porvisional) Regional Sponsored visa:

Q: My occupation is not in any of the state/territory's demand lists for Skilled Migration (migrant) visa (subclass 176) list, do I have any other option?
A: Yes, you may consider applying for the Skilled Regional Sponsored (provisional) (subclass 475) visa.

Q: What is the difference between the Skilled Sponsored (migrant) visa and Skilled Regional Sponosred (provisional) visa?

A: Skilled Sponsored (migrant) visa (sc 176) is a permanent visa with same facilities as for a Skilled Independent (migrant) visa (sc 175)

Skilled Regional Sponsored (provisional) visa (SC 475) is a three year temporary visa. It has restrictions like other temporary visas.

Q: What are the points required for applying for the Skilled Regional Sponsored (provisional) visa?

A: You require a minimum total of 100 points. You have to score a minimum of 90 points on your own and you will get 10 points more if your get a state/terriotry sponsorship.

Q Where can I find the demand occupation lists of different states/territories for the Skilled Sponsored (provisional) visa?

A You will find the occupation demand lists for stastes/territoires by clicking on the lists below:

Q: Since this is a three year temporary visa, do I have to leave Australia after completing my three year stay?

A: No. If either you or your spouse ( if you are married) work cumulatively for 12 months in a skilled occupation (any occupation in the visa) then after two years you may apply for a Skilled Sponsored (migrant) visa. You may also apply for extension of your Skilled Regional Sponsored (provisional) visa for a further 12 months if you have not met the the 12 months work experience and require more time to get that experience.

Q: If I do not get a job in the region of the state/territory that sponsored me but get a job in another state, can I take up the job and move to the other state/territory?

A: You may apply for transfer of your sponsorship to the state/territory where you have received a job offer.

Q: I understand that a provisional visa holder is not entitled to certain facilities that a pemanent visa holder is. What are they?

A: A provisional visa holder is not entitled to free MEDICARE, free schooling in government schools for children. They also have restrictions on buying property. They have to get permission from the relevant authority before buying. But some regions ma make special provisions and provide medicare and free education for children in government schools.

Select following link to listen to Canberra radio interview of Amin Rahman on 4th August 2008

Your friendly Immigration Advisor

for Migration to Australia