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State Sponsorship
A State or Territory may sponsor you for 2 types of visa, state sponsored (subclass 176) or regional sponsored (subclass 475). In addition each state is allowed to sponsor 500 applicants per year in any occupation on the skilled occupations list that they choose.
Accordingly most states have 3 occupations lists for which they are willing to offer sponsorship.
State Sponsored and off list nominated (subclass 176)
This is a 5 year permanent resident visa with a points threshold of 100 points (including to 10 points you gain from sponsorship). In return for the sponsorship you sign a declaration that you will live in that state for at least 2 years.
Regional Sponsorship (subclass 475)
This is a 3 year temporary resident visa with a points threshold of 100 points (including to 10 points you gain for sponsorship). A condition will be placed on your visa that you will live for 2 years in a regional area and work for 1. When you have satisfied this condition you may then apply for permanent residence.
Further information
Most states provide settlement services for newly arrived migrants. These usually include a meet & greet service when you first arrive and a contact who can help you with local information. There is also the newcomers network which provides information for those who have just moved to Australia or are planning to do so. Their web page on renting or buying property is a good source of information on the topic.
All recent changes to the skilled migration program are listed on the Department of Immigration website here:
What's New? Recent Changes in General Skilled Migration
The Department also lists all the state/territory government contact details here:
State/Territory government agencies
Australian Capital Territory
The territory does not have a regional sponsorship program.
The links to the state nominated and off list nominated occupations can be found here: Skilled Migration together with the requirements for sponsorship.
Baseline List of occupations - State Sponsorship list.
Quota List of Occupations - Off list nominated occupations.
Queensland
Off-List Nomination Program
Settlement Information
South Australia
Both state and regional sponsorship lists are published in the same document.
Settlement Information
New South Wales
New south Wales only provides state sponsorship in 3 areas:
Finance (176)
Computer Professionals (176)
Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology (176)
New South Wales: Regional sponsorship list (475)
Information on schools
Northern Territories
State sponsorship requirements
Tasmania
State sponsorship requirements
On this page you will find 3 lists:
Base-line Eligible Occupations List (SS)
This is the state sponsorship list (176)
Skilled Regional Sponsored Visa (SRS) (475)
Supplementary Eligible Occupations List (SS)
This is the off list nominated occupations (176)
Victoria
Western Australia
Both state and regional sponsorship lists are published in the same document. The link can be found here:
Western Australian Occupations in Demand List
Employment information -where to find a job
Education
Schools Directory
A list of all state and independent schools in Australia listed by location.
Independent Schools
A directory of all independent Schools in Australia listed by type and location.
Universities and Technical and Further education colleges (TAFE)
The site lists all universities and further education colleges with links to their websites.
