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Securing state nomination for Australian permanent residency can seem like a black box. Aspirants often believe that if they have enough points, any state will happily accept them. However, state governments have their own filters, preferences, and skilled migration plans. Deciphering these patterns can significantly boost your odds and save you from throwing generic EOI’s at every state.
So, what factors do Australian states consider when nominating candidates? Remember, the subclass 190 skilled nominated visa program exists to serve the labour market needs of each state and territory. Every year, the Commonwealth awards each state a quota of nomination places. Rather than just handing them out blindly at random, states treat those nominations as a precious resource.
Nomination is about occupation shortage, not just points
Points are certainly important, but first, the states check if you have an occupation they need. Nomination is heavily influenced by skills shortages that each jurisdiction is trying to fill.
These are typically occupations that support frontline services, infrastructure projects, health professionals, teachers, labourers, tradies, ICT specialists, childcare workers and sometimes industry clusters (e.g. mining technology or clean energy).
Occupations in demand can vary significantly between states and change regularly. States frequently update their skilled occupation lists to reflect current labour market trends. This data comes from the Department of Jobs statistics, employer surveys, employment office vacancy reports and sometimes economic forecasts.
Local connection and employability play a growing role
Candidates who already work or have lived in a state are often prioritised. Australian states also consider whether you are likely to get a job after you arrive. When deciding who to nominate, they look beyond the points pass mark and review the individual. This is one part of the process that many applicants misunderstand.
Factors that states may take into consideration include:
- Are you currently employed in Australia, or do you have a genuine offer of employment?
- How much Australian work experience do you have? Particularly in your nominated occupation?
- Have you recently lived or studied in the state?
- Willingness to live in a nominated region or other priority areas?
- How well can you communicate in English? (Are your IELTS scores higher than the baseline points test requirement?)
Candidates who are already living and working Down Under are often prioritised for nomination. States reason that these applicants are more likely to settle permanently and contribute to the local economy. From a taxpayer-funded skill shortage visa perspective, it makes little sense to nominate someone from overseas when a suitable local candidate exists.
Regional needs influence nomination decisions
Candidates who nominate to live in regional Australia might also receive priority. Living and working in regional Australia is a key policy goal for most states. Some states actively leverage the subclass 190 visa program to retain valuable workers in rural areas. As such, if you are willing to live outside of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, etc., you may be prioritised for nomination.
Again, this doesn’t mean you need to live in regional Australia to get nominated. But being open to regions could help boost your chances, especially if your points are on the cusp.
Observing nomination patterns can help you strategize
To decide which occupations to target, each state conducts labour-market research. As a result, trends and patterns emerge in skilled nominations. For example, reviewing media releases and state nomination stats from the past few years, you will notice that states rarely nominate completely at random.
They tend to run rounds that coincide with their budget announcements or are tailored to specific sector shortages. One year, they may throw heaps of nominations at healthcare professionals and social workers. Next year, they may focus on construction workers, traders or teachers.
States have also become much stricter about verifying employment claims. They double-check job titles, contracts and employer business names more than ever before. This has weeded out many speculative applications. So be wary of providing false information.
Why applying for every state can harm your chances
The mistake many new applicants make is applying for every state, thinking it will increase their chances of getting nominated. In reality, it can harm your overall credibility. States want to nominate candidates who have a genuine intent to live and work in their jurisdiction.
You show genuine intent by doing your research and selecting one or two states that suit your profile. Pick states where your occupation is needed, your experience is relevant, and you have the potential to settle.
You can then hone your EOI specifically for those states, explaining clearly why you have picked them. You will have a better chance of being nominated and face less refusal risk due to weak state correlation.
Research helps you know where to apply (and where not to)
Knowledgeable candidates know state nomination is not a luck-based exercise. They analyse occupation lists, keep an eye out for state announcements, know their true Australian employability scores and set their expectations according to demand, not projected points scores.
Once you understand how states select candidates, you can go from throwing darts at a board to carefully picking your battles. Instead of hassling every state with a generic Expression of Interest, you apply strategically. Not only does this save you time and money. It spares you the heartbreak of unnecessary rejection.
At the end of the day, Australian states are voting with their nominations. They choose who they believe will benefit their economy and society the most. By putting yourself in their shoes, you give yourself a much better chance of getting selected.
If you still find the state nomination process confusing and are unsure where to start, professional advice can simplify things. Breakdown nomination trends and help you align your applications. Consider speaking to trusted migration agents in Canberra who can provide clarity on your options, the best timing for your application, and which states to target.