Australia State Sponsored Visas

Australia State Sponsored Visas

State governments in Australia are able to sponsor migrants to settle in their state through “State Migration Plans”. These are becoming an increasingly important method of securing Australian residence through the following subclasses;

Skilled – Sponsored (Migrant) Visa (Subclass 176)

Skilled – Regional Sponsored (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 475)

Skilled – Regional (Residence) Visa (Subclass 887)

Skilled – Regional Sponsored (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 487)

There are many advantages to applying through State sponsorship. State sponsored migrants can be processed quicker and receive extra points when applying for residence. Furthermore, if your occupation is not on the main Federal “Skilled Occupation List”, then you may still be eligible for migration if your occupation is sponsored by a State government.

There are 7 states and territories, all of which offer state sponsorship- through 7 different State Migration Plans. Obviously occupation lists and eligibility criteria for each state are being constantly updated. Occupations which are in demand can quickly be removed from a demand list if the state attracts sufficient numbers of such workers.

In our experience, applications for state sponsorship are very subjective. There are no set definitive criteria such as a points test. Each applicant needs to demonstrate suitability to that state and explain the research they have conducted, how they will source employment, what salary they can expect etc.

It is this specific research that can convince a state to sponsor you.

Please see the detailed information below on each of the 7 states / territories in Australia.

Our service in applying for State sponsorship

We have many years experience in securing state sponsorship for our clients. This includes all 7 states / territories in Australia.

We crucially can provide specific advice on how to present YOU in an application for state sponsorship. It is this approach of focusing on what particular skills an applicant has to fit in with a State Migration Plan that can ensure success.

Specific research together with a detailed personal statement can make the difference between success and failure in state sponsorship. Each state government has a set quota of sponsorships they can approve, so no state will issue approval unless they are convinced of your suitability.

We can handle the whole application from start to finish.  The service includes everything from pre-application advice, document review, completing forms, covering letter, drafting your personal statement, submission to the State government and bringing to a successful conclusion. This continues throughout the whole process until your state sponsorship is approved.

You will only deal with one dedicated immigration adviser to provide you with a focused one to one service.

Our success rate is second to none and we can provide numerous verifiable references from satisfied clients for you to review and inspect.

At this stage, we just need you to complete this quick registration form on our website;

https://www.commonwealthimmigration.com/assesment_form.html

This should give us all the information we need to give you the correct advice.

We can then review in full and get back to you
Subscribe to our newsletter to keep up to date on Australian immigration changes;

https://www.commonwealthimmigration.com/contact_us.html

Please see the following detailed information on each of the 7 states / territories in Australia.

The Australian Capital Territory (ACT)    

Population  351,200

Area  2,358 sq km

The ACT is Australia’s smallest state / territory and is home to the nation’s capital – Canberra.

Canberra was established as the capital in 1913, as a compromise between Melbourne and Sydney.

The ACT is completely surrounded by New South Wales and is about 150 km from the coast. The Namadgi National Park makes up about 40% of the ACT and the mountains are easily reachable from Canberra, offering skiing and other winter sports.

Because of its elevation (650 m) and distance from the coast, the ACT experiences four distinct seasons, unlike many other Australian cities whose climates are moderated by the sea. Summers are hot and dry, while winters can be cold with frost and frequent fog.

Canberra is home to the Australian parliament and government, and many tertiary institutions, including the Australian National University, the University of Canberra and the Canberra Institute of Technology.

Canberra’s unemployment rate is consistently among the lowest in the nation at around 3.0%. Also, important to note – workers in Canberra enjoy the highest average income in Australia, earning an average of $70,496 in 2009.

The Australian and ACT Governments are the major employers in Canberra.

Canberra is keen to attract migrants and promotes itself on its proximity to nature while retaining all the amenities of a big city.

New South Wales (NSW)

Population  7,099,700

Area   809,444 sq km

NSW is Australian’s most populous state and also home to the largest city in Australia, Sydney.

The first European settlement in Australia was in New South Wales, hence the state’s nickname of “The First State”.

New South Wales has wonderful scenery incorporating western plains, mountains and coastal views. It is divided into four regions – the Coastal region which runs from Queensland to Victoria, the Great Dividing Range which is inland and parallel to this, which then leads in to regions of farming land and then further to the dry western areas.

New South Wales has more than 780 national parks and reserves covering more than 8% of the state. These range from alpine reserves to rainforest to outback desert.

New South Wales provides some of Australia’s most varied leisure pursuits from outdoor activities to opera and theatre. The Sydney Olympics in 2000 propelled the city onto the world stage and have left a rich sporting legacy in New South Wales.

Although Sydney is the largest city by far, other major cities include Newcastle, Wollongong, Wagga Wagga and Coffs Harbour.

NSW has the largest economy in Australia. Agriculture is still a very important part of the NSW economy although its share of the state’s income is smaller than ever before. Sydney is now a major centre for financial services and IT. Pharmaceuticals and biotechnology are also major players in the NSW economy.

The average annual income in NSW in 2009 was $63,315.

NSW is a major destination in Australia for overseas students and migrants. Sydney is now regarded as the most multi-cultural city in the Asia Pacific region.

Victoria (VIC)

Population  5,427,700

Area  237,629 sq km

Victoria is the most densely populated state, and has a highly centralised population, with over 70% of Victorians living in Melbourne, the state capital and largest city.

Melbourne has had a long rivalry with Sydney, but for many the Victorian capital leads the way in fashion, food and entertainment. Melbourne consistently scores very highly in international surveys as one of the world’s best cities to live in.

Other major cities and towns include Geelong, Bendigo, Ballarat and Mildura.

The size of the state is small in Australian terms (roughly the same size as the UK). This leaves most regions and national parks within easy reach, from sandy beaches, to rural countryside, snowfields and forests.

Some of the most visited attractions include the Great Ocean Road which runs to the border with South Australia, and the Victorian Alpine Region, part of the Australian Alps.

Victoria is the home of Australian Rules Football, with ten of the sixteen clubs of the Australian Football League based in Victoria. The Olympics and Commonwealth Games have both been hosted by Melbourne. Every year Melbourne hosts the annual Australian Open Tennis and Australian Formula One Grand Prix, ensuring the city remains prominent in the international sports calendar.

Victoria’s main industries are coal, oil, gas, manufacturing and tourism. Agriculture still remain important and Victoria is Australia’s largest producer of mutton, lamb, and dairy products.

The average Victorian earned $60,722 in 2009.

The government of Victoria are keen to attract skilled workers and have an active immigration programme to encourage migrants to settle in Melbourne and regional Victoria.

Tasmania (TAS)

Population  502,600

Area  68,401 sq km

Tasmania (or Tassie) is Australia’s only island state and the most southerly.

The capital is Hobart and other major towns include Launceston, Queenstown, Devonport and Burnie.

Hobart was founded in 1803 as a penal colony and is Australia’s second oldest capital city after Sydney. In 2008, the city had a greater area population of approximately 220,000.

Tourists are drawn to some of Australia’s most acclaimed restaurants and the oldest theatre in Australia – the Theatre Royal. Hobart is internationally famous among the yachting community as the finish of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.

Tasmania is an island of dramatic coastlines, rugged mountains, spectacular wilderness and sparkling highland lakes.  Almost 37% of Tasmania lies in reserves, national parks and World Heritage Sites.

Traditional industries in Tasmania include mining, agriculture, forestry and tourism. Indeed, tourism has grown considerably over the last 10 years, thanks to cheaper air fares and improved ferry connections.

Tasmania (in particular Hobart) serves as Australia’s main link to the Antarctic, which has lead to increased business in the local economy. Hobart has the second deepest natural port in the world.

Tasmania is still experiencing a shortage of skilled employees.  As of April 2009 Tasmania’s unemployment rate was still below the national average.

The average annual income for workers in Tasmania was $54,236 in 2009.

South Australia (SA)

Population  1,622,700

Area           983,482 sq km

South Australia, known as the Festival State, lies in the central southern region of the country. Its state capital, Adelaide, is home to over 1.1 million people and in recent surveys is rated as one of the world’s top six cities for its living standards and lifestyle benefits.

Other major towns in South Australia include Port Augusta, Mount Gambier, Port Pirie and Whyalla.

The state is varied in landscape from the Flinders Range mountains, the Murray River Basin and the dry Outback expanse.

The state is world renowned for its wineries. The main wine growing region is in the Barossa Valley, although other valleys include Clare, Coonawarra and McLaren.

Manufacturing, mining, defence and aviation are among the main industries.

Adelaide benefits from a warm Mediterranean climate and is ranked as one of Australian’s most affordable capital cities. A busy calendar of more than 400 annual festivals and events dominates the cultural, entertainment and sporting life of the city.

Immigration has been a big contributor to South Australia’s development over the last 10 years. The rate of population growth is increasing and the unemployment rate is at a near record low. Annual wages in South Australia for 2009 were $58,412.

South Australia has an active immigration programme to attract skilled migrants to Adelaide and other regions. The range of settlement assistance provided by the South Australian government to new migrants is among the most comprehensive of any Australian states.

Western Australia (WA)

Population    2,236,000

Area    2,645,615 sq km

Western Australia is the largest state in Australia, accounting for approximately one third of the Australian continent.

Despite this nearly 85 % of the population live in the south west corner of the state, with over 1.6 million people living in Perth.

Perth enjoys a warm sunny climate with more hours of sunshine than any other Australian capital city. Western Australia’s other major towns include Fremantle, Albany, Broome and Kalgoorlie.

The sheer size of the state encompasses huge differences in climate and terrain.

Western Australia varies from the south west coastal area to inland desert, to the northern tropical regions.

Perth is diverse city with over 30% of its inhabitants born overseas. It is Australia’s fourth largest city and therefore offers excellent facilities in entertainment, dining, sport and shopping.

Western Australia is widely regarded as the best performing state in the Australian economy.  Its growth rate and GDP rank higher than any other state, and wages are high – the average salary for 2009 was $67,927.

Underpinning the economy are some of the world’s greatest abundance of natural resources – oil, gas, iron and nickel to name a few. The huge growth in global demand for minerals and petroleum, especially from China and Japan, has ensured economic growth above the national average. Long term contracts are in place for export of these resources, ensuring future economic growth.

The economic growth in Western Australia has lead to a huge demand for workers from overseas and interstate. The state government promotes Western Australian heavily for overseas workers and business investors.

Northern Territory (NT)

Population   224,800

Area   1,420,970 sq km

The Northern Territory is the most sparsely populated of Australia’s states and territories.

The state capital Darwin has a population of 120,000 and is an important link between Australian and its Asian neighbours. Other towns in the territory include Alice Springs, Katherine and Tenant Creek.

Darwin is one of the fastest growing cities in Australia. This is linked to its continued expansion in trade with Asia and its development as a port for exports.

The Northern Territory is home to some of Australia’s greatest outdoor attractions. These include Uluru (Ayers Rock), Kakadu National Park, Kings Canyon and Arnhem Land. The Stuart Highway is the vital link in this territory connecting Darwin to Alice Springs.

The average annual salary was $59,987 in 2009. The remoteness of the Northern Territory means it offers many incentives to attract migrants in key occupations.

The economy is largely centred on mining, tourism and defence.

Queensland (QLD)

Population    4,406,800

Area   1,852,642 sq km

Queensland is Australia’s second largest state and is nicknamed the Sunshine State.

Much of the population lies in the south east corner of the state, where the capital Brisbane is also located. Other major towns include Cairns, Townsville, Mackay and Mount Isa.

Queensland has many places of natural beauty, including: the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast which are home to some of the state’s most popular beaches. Further along the coast, leads to the beautiful Whitsunday Islands and then to the world famous Great Barrier Reef.  Queensland is home to some of Australia’s most beautiful beaches, reefs, islands, rainforests and National Parks.

Brisbane is the third largest city in Australia (after Sydney and Melbourne) and has a population approaching 2 million.  The city is famous for its live music scene and offers many other performing arts such as theatre, ballet and opera.

Tourism, mining and aerospace are the most important sources of revenue in Queensland.  In 2009, the annual average salary in Queensland was $61,464.

Queensland is the fastest growing state in Australia, with over 1,500 people moving to the state per week. These include interstate and overseas migrants.

The sheer size of the state means that key skills are still badly needed in many regions.  Despite the growing population in Brisbane and the south east of the state, the employment market remains buoyant throughout, thanks to the increasing growth of industries such as tourism and mining.