At last the Queensland migration program for the year 2021-22 is open with allocated quota for this year migration program for the state nominated visas 190 and 491 of just 2250 places. The Queensland program remains closed for offshore applicants and is highly competitive due to the small number allocated to the state. The program is open until the nominated allocation are filled by applicants within the following three skilled visa pathways:
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Graduates of a Queensland University
This stream is open for the graduates who have completed 100% of their Bachelor’s degree, Master’s Degree or PhD from a Queensland university in the last 2 years. Applicants have to be currently onshore in Queensland.
Graduates may apply for the Regional subclass 491 visa only, unless they are a Queensland PhD graduate. However, if they are PhD graduates they must have completed 100% of their course in Queensland within the last 2 years and have a nominated occupation on QLD Skilled Migration Occupation List (SMOL). There is no job or higher level of English requirement for PhD graduates whereas Masters and Bachelor graduates must have a GPA 6.0 or higher with a minimum level of Proficient English and a minimum of 3 months post qualification work experience in their nominated or closely related occupation and a job offer for a minimum of 20 hours per week for 12 months.
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Skilled Workers Living in Australia
Migrants applying for the permanent subclass 190 visa must have a point-test result at 80 or higher with at least proficient English and evidence of full-time (minimum 35 hours) post qualification employment in the nominated occupation over the past 6 months and an offer for ongoing employment with a Queensland employer for a further 12 months.
Migrants applying for the Regional 491 visa must be living and working in regional Queensland and have full time post qualification employment in a nominated occupation for at least 3 months and the employment must be ongoing and with an office based in regional Queensland.
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Small business owners in regional Queensland
Migrants currently living and operating a small business in a regional area with a positive skills assessment in an eligible occupation who have full-time work rights and no longer studying can be considered for the Regional subclass 491 visa. This pathway is available for profitable start-ups which have been operating for 2 years with a minimum of $200,000 turnover in the 12 months directly prior to application.
Any pre-existing business purchased after 1 April 2021 must have been in operation for 2 years must have been purchased for a minimum purchase price of $100,000 (certain business ventures would not be considered) though there is a lot more leniency for businesses purchased prior to that date. Only migrants with 100% ownership of the business that employ one Australian resident, working a minimum of 20 hours per week are eligible.
