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Australian Skilled - Regional Sponsored Visa: State/Territory Nominated

The Skilled - Regional Sponsored visa (subclass 475) is a sponsored work visa for skilled people wishing to live and work in a regional or low population growth area in Australia. The Skilled - Regional Sponsored visa is also a good option for those who do not meet the pass mark for the Skilled - Independent visa (subclass 175).

The current Skilled - Regional Sponsored Visa pass mark is 100 points on the Points Test.  Applicants must meet the Basic Requirements and nominate an occupation from the Skilled Occupation List.

Take The Points Test To Determine Whether You Qualify For A Regional Sponsored Visa

Sponsorship by a State or Territory Government

The success of a visa application will be based on a combination of skills, work experience and nomination by a State/Territory government.

Once the Provisional visa has been granted, the holder must retain that visa for at least two years to be eligible to apply for a permanent Regional visa (subclass 887).

The following States/Territories participate in the Skilled Regional Sponsored Visa sponsorship scheme:

• New South Wales
• Northern Territory
• Queensland
• South Australia
• Tasmania
• Victoria
• Western Australia

Sponsorship by a Relative

If the applicant does not haven nomination by a State/Territoy government, they must have sponsorship from a family member who is already a permanent resident of a Designated Area of Australia. The provisional visa is valid for 3 years.

Process

Through a 2-stage visa process, Skilled - Regional Sponsored Visa holders must live and work in or a low population growth metropolitan area for at least 2 years before they can apply for permanent residence.

• Stage 1 - Skilled Regional Sponsored visa (subclass 475) stage

  Successful applicants will be granted a 3 year temporary visa to live and work/study in regional Australia.

• Stage 2 - Permanent Residence stage

  Skilled - Regional Sponsored visa holders who have met the Skilled - Regional Sponsored visa conditions of:

• Having lived in regional Australia for at least 2 years; and
• Having been employed (including self employed) for at least 12 months in regional Australia;

may apply for the following permanent residence visas:

• Skilled - Regional (subclass 887)

Do You Qualify For A Regional Sponsored Visa?