Immigrate to Queensland through the Subclass 190 Visa – Overseas Skilled Worker Stream

by Abhinav Immigration Services Digital Marketing Executive

The Skilled Nominated Subclass 190 Visa is one of the most direct and streamlined pathways to immigrate to Australia as a permanent resident. It allows eligible skilled workers to permanently live and work in the country by receiving a nomination from an Australian state or territory. To be nominated, the aspirant must be qualified to fulfil skill shortages in the local economy of the nominating state or territory.

Queensland is considered an appealing state by prospective immigrants, primarily owing to its stable economy, affordable housing, high minimum wages, premium healthcare services, urban infrastructure, excellent education system, cultural diversity, pleasant weather and natural abundance. One-third of the state’s population is comprised of first and second generation immigrants.

Overseas skilled workers, post-graduate alumni from Queensland colleges/universities, and temporary residents currently working in Queensland can apply under the subclass 190 visa Australia streams. Since this is a points-tested visa category, the candidate must meet the point threshold based on their credentials. State nomination adds 5 points to the total point score of the applicant, thus enhancing eligibility.

Business and Skilled Migration Queensland (BSMQ) is the state government authority that issues nominations. The Australian Department of Home Affairs (DHA) determines the final visa outcome. A skilled worker who is offshore i.e. living and working in a country outside Australia, can relocate to Queensland through this pathway, provided they can fulfil the eligibility requirements set by the DHA, as well as the conditions set by BSMQ.

To meet the DHA requirements, the applicant must:

Be less than 45 years of age.
Score 65 or more points in the Australia PR Points system, based on age, education, skilled employment experience, language proficiency, adaptability factors, etc.
Receive a positive skills assessment for the nominated occupation from a relevant authority.
Possess competent English, determined by the test results of an approved language proficiency examination.
Be nominated for Subclass 190 visa by BSMQ.
Meet the skills, health and character requirements of the DHA.

To be considered for nomination by BSMQ, the applicant must:

Practice an occupation that features on the ‘offshore’ Queensland Skilled Occupation List.
Showcase evidence of having at least two years of post-qualification work experience in the nominated occupation. Certain occupations may require more work experience.

* Offshore workers applying under ‘Chef’ or ‘Cook’ occupations must provide evidence of having a relevant job offer (of at least 12 months) from a registered Queensland employer.

* Overseas PhD graduates may not need to fulfil the work experience requirements if they can show evidence of a valid job offer (minimum 12 months) from a registered Queensland employer.

Commit to living and working in Queensland after migrate to Australia from India.

Eligible candidates can attain this visa by following a simple application procedure:

Step 1: Expression of Interest

Submit an Expression of Interest in SkillSelect – the online DHA portal that selects suitable candidates – and mark ‘Queensland’ as the nominating state of choice. SkillSelect evaluates EOIs based on the eligibility criteria of the DHA and BSMQ.

Step 2: Apply for Nomination

Qualified candidates will receive an invitation to apply for a nomination from BSMQ. Within 14 days of receiving the invitation, the application must be submitted online, along with required documents and the application fee (AUD 200).

Step 3: Invitation to Apply

The application package is reviewed by BSMQ. If approved, the candidate will be issued a nomination. This will add 5 points to the total score. Subsequently, the DHA will issue an invitation to apply for the Subclass 190 visa Australia.

Step 4: Visa Application

Within 60 days of receiving an invitation from the DHA, the visa application, supporting documents and fee (AUD 3,755) must be submitted online through ImmiAccount. The application is usually processed within 9 to 13 months. After due verification, the DHA may grant the visa.

By securing the Subclass 190 visa, applicants and accompanying family members can take advantage of the supreme quality of life in Queensland and may eventually attain citizenship. This visa is the key to a bright future in the Sunshine State of Australia.