Examine the revisions to the NSW Skilled Migration Program for 2024–2025, including new paths, TSMIT concessions, priority industries, and EOI adjustments for subclasses 190 and 491.



Program Opening Announcement

The NSW skilled visa nomination program has officially opened for the 2024–25 program year. The program has been updated to make the application process more efficient and to give skilled migrants and their families more options to establish new lives in NSW. An outline of the most important modifications to the program may be seen below.

Key Program Updates

1. NSW Priority Sectors

The program targets industries that are experiencing significant industry transitions and persistent skill shortages, in line with the goals of the NSW Government. The following are the designated NSW Priority Sectors:

Building: Housing and infrastructure

Renewables: Clean energy and net-zero projects

Care Economy: Aged care, disability services, early childhood education, and care

Digital and Cyber: Digital positions in a range of industries

Education: Instructors

Agrifood and Agriculture: The food and agriculture industries

Modern Manufacturing: Innovative Manufacturing Positions

2. Published Skills Lists

The 2024–25 program year skills lists are accessible at the ANZSCO unit group level, with distinct skills lists for the subclass 491 of the skilled work regional visa and the subclass 190 of the skilled nominated visa. Note that Home Affairs assesses the eligibility of individual occupations for each visa, even though each occupation within an approved unit group is eligible for NSW nomination. Kindly make sure that your line of work is eligible before proceeding with the skills evaluation.

3. Rounds of Invitation for Subclass 190 Visa
Subclass 190 nomination invitation rounds will soon begin, and they will continue until quotas are reached. Make sure your Skill Select EOI is up to current and that all of your claims have verified supporting documentation in order to optimize your eligibility.

4. Pathways for Subclass 491 Visa Nomination

The Skilled Work Regional Visa (subclass 491) will soon have access to Pathway 1 and Pathway 3, with comprehensive online qualifying requirements. To ensure your eligibility, please carefully examine these conditions before applying.

5. A New Subclass 491 Visa Regional Graduate Pathway for NSW

For recent graduates of specific rural NSW universities, the program now offers a direct application pathway (Pathway 3) under the subclass 491 visa. Visit the program’s website for information on eligibility and the application procedure.

6. TSMIT Concession for Subclass 491 (Pathway 1)

Under Pathway 1, some jobs may be eligible for a 10% reduction in the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT). For qualified candidates, this modification may make the income requirements less onerous. For more details, see the TSMIT Concessions List.

7. Revised Criteria for Skilled Employment
NSW has embraced the Home Affairs definition of skilled employment and eliminated prior restrictions on claimable employment in EOIs in an effort to streamline the process. See a qualified migration agency or legal professional for advice on qualifying employment claims.

8. EOI Submission Modifications

The previous limitations on EOI submissions using Skill Select have been removed. Any legitimate EOI that chooses NSW going forward will be taken into consideration for invitation rounds. Make sure your EOI is visible to NSW and complete in order to guarantee consideration.

9. Update on Application Fees

For the 2024–25 program year, the application price has been modified by CPI, and it is now A$315 plus GST if applying from within Australia.