One route to Australian permanent residency for visa holders is through state nomination. The requirements for state nominations vary in every state. Check additional information about state nomination.

Last time, we have outlined the state nomination requirements of Queensland. Click here to read.

And we are going to talk about South Australia’s state nomination in this article.

Also read:
2022 – 2023 Queensland State Nomination
2022 – 2023 Western Australia State Nomination
2022 – 2023 ACT State Nomination
2022 – 2023 NT State Nomination
2022 – 2023 Victoria State Nomination
2022 – 2023 Tasmania State Nomination
2022 – 2023 NSW State Nomination

In South Australia, there are 6 streams for skilled workers to apply and obtain the State Nomination.

1. Pathway for international graduates in South Australia (SA)

International graduates in South Australia may be eligible for state nomination and prioritised over other candidates. Additional concessions and waivers are available to high-performing graduates as well.

To be eligible for the SA graduate pathway, you need to fulfil the following requirements:

Meet the Department of Home Affairs requirements for subclass 491 / 190 visa
Your nominated occupation is South Australia’s Skilled Occupation List
You currently live and work in South Australia
You are under 45 years old when you are nominated
You have a valid and positive skill assessment for your nominated occupation
You meet the standard of having at least Competent English unless specified
You have at least 65 points in the Department of Home Affairs’ points test (state nomination points inclusive)
You have completed your qualification at a South Australian institution which must be CRICOS registered, with a minimum of 46 CRICOS weeks. At least 50% of your qualification must have been completed in South Australia
During your period of study, you must have resided in South Australia for at least one year
Meet the minimum work experience requirement listed for your occupation on the Skilled Occupation List
If you are applying for 491 visa nomination, you must be working at least 20 hours per week;
If you are applying for 190 visa nomination, you must be working at least 30 hours per week

Chat with us now for more details.

High performing graduates who have at least Proficient English and meet the minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) requirements specified for your nominated occupation might be eligible to apply for state nomination without work experience requirements.

PhD / Masters by Research Graduates
Masters by Coursework Graduates
First Class Honours Graduates
Bachelor Degree Graduates

You can apply once your degree has been conferred

Your Masters degree must be at least 78 CRICOS weeks

Your Honours year must have followed the completion of a 92 CRICOS week Bachelor degree in South Australia

Your Bachelor degree must be at least 92 CRICOS weeks
You must have commenced skilled employment in an occupation related to your nominated occupation

Contact AAS now to enrol in an eligible degree.

2. Pathway for skilled workers in South Australia

You must meet the following criteria to be eligible for this stream:

Your are currently working in a nominated occupation that is on the South Australia’s Skilled Occupation List
You are currently living and working in South Australia
You are under 45 years of age
You have a valid and positive skill assessment
You have at least Competent English, unless specified otherwise
You have at least 65 points in the points test
You have undertaken your skilled work experience post-course completion
You meet the minimum work experience requirement listed for your occupation
You are working at least 20 hours per week or 40 hours per fortnight, unless specified otherwise

3. Outer Regional South Australia stream

If you are working for outer regional South Australian businesses, you may be eligible for the state nomination with certain work experience concessions.

If you are applying for this stream, you are required to:

Work in a occupation that is on South Australia’s skilled occupation list
Live and work in Outer Regional South Australia currently
Be under 45 years old
Have a valid and positive skills assessment
Have at least Competent English, unless specified otherwise
Score at least 65 points in the points test
Have been working for the past 6 months in Outer Regional South Australia in any job for at least 30 hours per week
Be working in a high skilled position: Skill Level 1 or 2 and receiving a high salary (at least $65,000) for subclass 190 visa nomination

Your employer must also meet the criteria:

It is a business in Outer Regional South Australia
It is an existing business for at least 12 months and has a premise located and operating in Outer Regional South Australia for the past 12 months
It is a business of good standing and there must be no adverse information about the business

Talk to us now if you are planning to apply for South Australia’s state nomination. Free initial consultation.

4. Long Term Residents stream

You may be eligible for this stream if you are not qualified under other streams or not currently working in your nominated occupation and meet the following requirements:

You are currently living and working in South Australia with a nominated occupation that is under South Australia’s Skilled Occupation List
You have resided continuously in South Australia for the past five years (at the time of application)
You are under 45 years of age
You have a valid and positive skills assessment for your nominated occupation
You have at least Competent English, unless specified otherwise
You score at least 65 points in the points test
You are currently working for the past six months in South Australia in any Skill Level 1, 2, 3 or Skill Level 4 Carer and Aide occupation
You have at least 12 months total work experience in South Australia in any Skill Level 1, 2, 3 or Skill Level 4 Carer and Aide occupation over the past three years
If you are applying for 491 visa nomination, you must have worked at least 20 hours per week or 40 hours per fortnight during these 12 months of work experience
If you are applying for 190 visa nomination, you must have worked at least 30 hours per week or 60 hours per fortnight during these 12 months of work experience. You must either be working in a high skilled position: Skill Level 1, or be receiving a high salary (at least $80,000 in Greater Adelaide or $65,000 in regional South Australia)

Some occupations like accountants, chefs, motor mechanics, and cooks have specific requirements. Contact AAS to learn more.

5. Highly skilled and Talented Stream

To be eligible for this stream, you must meet the general requirements:

Be under 45 years of age
Have a valid and positive skills assessment for your nominated occupation
Have at least Proficient English
Score at least 65 points in the points test
Be earning a high base salary threshold commensurate with the expectations of the Highly Skilled and Talented stream (at least $80,000 per annum) and working full time (at least 30 hours per week or 60 hours per fortnight)

For onshore applicants, you must fulfil the general requirements and also the following criteria:

Have demonstrated extensive experience, working in highly skilled jobs, in senior or executive level roles
Demonstrate that you meet one of the following:
- Have already commenced employment in South Australia,
- Have an employment contract for a position you plan to relocate to in South Australia. You are also able to apply, if you are currently working for a company interstate, and intend to relocate to the South Australian office of your current company, or
- Have demonstrated specialised experience or niche skills that are highly desired in one of South Australia’s critical priority sectors.

Your employer must:

Be an existing business for at least 12 months. Your employer must have a premise located and operating in South Australia for the past 12 months.
Have annual turnover of at least $4 million. Please note:
start-up companies may be exempt from the annual turnover requirement
businesses who operate in outer regional South Australia may be exempt from the annual turnover requirement
Be a business of good standing and there must be no adverse information about the business

For offshore applicants, you must also:

Have demonstrated extensive experience, working in senior or executive level roles in highly skilled jobs, in:
- Internationally renowned organisations, or
- Multinational companies with a presence in South Australia, or
- Have demonstrated specialised experience or niche skills that are highly desired in one of South Australia’s critical priority sectors

You might be prioritised if your employer is in one of the South Australia’s priority sectors. Don’t hesitate to contact us for more details.