This week, Queensland  released their State Migration Plan. Their website has been updated with a page outlining the SMP, along with PDFs listing the occupations they are willing to sponsor -  click here for the subclass 176 eligible occupations and click here for the subclass 475 eligible occupations.

Queensland has become the fourth state / territory to announce their approved State Migration Plan, following the announcements made by Victoria, the ACT and the Northern Territory. 

What are State Migration Plans?

State Migration Plans (or SMPs) are set to play a critical part in the future of the Australian General Skilled Migration (GSM) program, as they have been developed by State/Territory governments to determine the occupations in which applicants will be eligible for state sponsored visas.

What will the benefits be to being sponsored under a State Migration Plan?

One of the main benefits of being sponsored under a State Migration Plan is how it will affect Australian visa processing timeframes. Applicants who appear on the NT new list of occupations will be moved to Priority Group 2, according to the current processing directive. This means that these applicants should see their applications finalised within 12 months.

- Lauren Mennie is Casework Department Manager for the Australian Visa Bureau.

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