Tasmania 491 Visa

This is the provisional visa that allows you to live and work in Tasmania for five years after the visa is granted.

Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa Overview

Tasmania’s state nomination for this visa provides you with 15 additional points to help you reach the test pass mark of 65 points from the Department of Home Affairs. Further specifics on this are available under ‘Eligibility.’ Through the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa, you may be able to apply for permanent residency After you have lived in Tasmania for at 3 years and obtained a minimum taxable income that meets the minimum threshold set by the Department of Home Affairs for at least 3 years (currently set at AU$53,900), you may be eligible to apply for permanent residency via the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa.

Criteria for the Skilled Work Regional 491 visa:

Checklist.

Tasmania 491 Visa Requirement 

Category 1 – Tasmanian Graduate

You must satisfy any of the following conditions in order to be eligible for this category.

1. You must have graduated from a registered CRICOS tertiary institution in Tasmania. The program that was taken:
2. A degree (bachelor’s degree or other higher degree), a diploma (standard, intermediate, associate or graduate degree) or a business certificate must be required (minimum Cert III level for a skilled occupation in Major Group 3 in ANZSCO)
3. The minimum length of one educational year must be (40 weeks)
4. In Tasmania, they must be full-time and on location.
5. You have stayed in the state for a minimum of 1 year during your study time. 
6. You and your dependents are now residing in Tasmania and can offer proof of your maintaining genuine dedication.

Category 2 – Working in Tasmania

You must satisfy any of the following conditions in order to be eligible for this category.

1. You would have served for six months in Tasmania directly prior to the state candidacy filing. In your nominated career, you do not need to be employed. Your work requires:
2. Be in one full-time job or in two or more part-time positions for at least 35 hours a week and you should have proof of your job statements (see Paper Checklist-Employment for more details)
3. Fill Tasmania with a real, ongoing skill shortage
4. You and your dependents must be living in Tasmania at present and should show a sincere determination to continue living in Tasmania.
5. Your employer must have a well-established business that has been involved in Tasmania for the last 12 months.

Category 3A – Overseas applicant (TSOL)

You must be living abroad and satisfy one of the following requirements in order to be eligible for this category:

1. The Tasmanian Skilled Occupation List (TSOL) must list your nominated occupation as ‘In DEMAND’ -(please note the English Proficiency and Other Requirements listed on TSOL do apply to this category)
2. In the last 12 months, you, or all of your dependents, have not stayed in another Australian state or territory.
3. For your nominated occupation in a recognized English language exam, you have obtained the English requirement stated on the TSOL or carry a passport from the UK, Ireland, the USA, Canada or New Zealand.
4. For your nominated occupation, you have read and complied with the ‘other criteria and notes column’ stated in the TSOL

Category 3B – Overseas applicant (Job offer)

You must be living abroad and satisfy one of the following requirements in order to be eligible for this category:

1. A formal work offer for a job-based in Tasmania in your nominated profession has been obtained.
2. In the last 12 months, you or any of your dependants have not stayed in another Australian state or territory.
3. Your employer must have a well-established business that has been involved for the past 12 months in Tasmania.
4. There must be a legitimate need for your role in the company. This will be fulfilled if there is:
5. A current, present and true need for your role within the company
6. A continuing need for your role and the ability for the organization to retain the position nominated

Category 4 – Family in Tasmania

You must apply from outside Tasmania and have an IMMEDIATE family member who satisfies any of the following requirements in order to be eligible for this category:

1. For at least 12 months previous to the submission of your application, you have been an Australian permanent resident or an Australian citizen.
2. currently lives in Tasmania and has been in Tasmania for a minimum of 12 months.
3. Should be a parent, brother, sister, child, aunt, uncle, or grandparent
4. Agrees to help and assist you on your arrival in Tasmania in the process of obtaining jobs in Tasmania

Please note: under this group, partnerships by marriage, such as sister or brother in law, are not suitable. The direct relationship with the sponsoring family member must be maintained by you (the applicant). 

Other available nomination categories should be accepted by applicants currently residing in Tasmania.

Category 5 – Small Business Owner

You have to reside in Tasmania at the time of submission of your application and satisfy the following requirements in order to be eligible for this category:

1. Show that for at least 6 months you have founded and run your company (solely owned) in Tasmania
2. Display that the business is extremely likely to be able to send you a personal income that will conform with the minimum taxable income criteria laid down for the Subclass 191 Permanent Resident (Skilled Regional) visa by Home Affairs.

A detailed strategic strategy must be given by all candidates with:

1. Evidence of extensive analysis into, and awareness of, the target market
2. research and understanding of relevant industry conditions, licensing and/or registration requirements for the business in Tasmania
3. realistic market opportunities for the proposed business in Tasmania, particularly where the business would be competing with other similar existing businesses already established in Tasmania.

Tasmania 491 Visa Document Checklist

Minimum Document Requirement for all nomination categories:

1. SkillSelect EOI
2. Skills Assessment
3. Declaration of nomination obligations
4. English
5. Commitment to Tasmania statement
6. Personal and visa information
7. Work Experience
8. Employment
9. Living in Tasmania
10. Financial Capacity
11. Nomination by another Australian state/territory
12. Family Relationships

Additional Document Requirement for a specific category:

Category 1: Tasmanian Graduate

1. – Australian qualifications
2. – Employability statement
3. – Employment evidence

Category 2: Working in Tasmania

– Employment evidence

Category 3A: Overseas applicant (TSOL)

1. – Employability
2. – You must be able to demonstrate that you have the relevant qualifications, skill set and work experience etc. to meet the criteria of the advertised position
3. – Settlement statement

Category 3B: Overseas applicant (Job Offer)

– Recruitment/Communication evidence

Category 4 – Family in Tasmania

– Family/Relationship evidence

Category 5 – Small Business Owner

– Business ownership