If you are a skilled person, have 50 points before considering points for a State or Territory Government sponsorship – or are struggling with your English language test – and are keen to move to Australia the subclass 489 visa could definitely be an option for you.
The 489 visa requires you to live and work in a regional area of Australia (as defined), but this is definitely not a bad outcome.
Consider some of the stunning places you can live as the holder of a State or Territory Nominated 489 visa:
> The Sunshine Coast, Cairns/the Tropical Far North in Queensland
Edit (20th April, 2015): We are now anticipating that the Sunshine Coast will cease to be a regional area for the purpose of the subclass 489 visa, most probably effective from the 1st of July, 2015. More details will be published on the GM Skilled blog when they become known.
> Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, and the Surf Coast in Victoria
> Anywhere in South Australia
> Anywhere in Tasmania
> Anywhere in the Northern Territory
> Byron Bay, Tweed Heads (next to the Qld border) in New South Wales
> Mandurah, Bunbury in Western Australia
There are many beautiful places to live in what are considered to be “regional areas” of Australia for the purpose of the subclass 489 visa.
The requirements for the granting of a subclass 489 visa are discussed in more detail here.
The pathway to a permanent residency visa is usually a subsequent subclass 887 visa once a subclass 489 visa holder has been living in the regional area for 2 years, and has been working there for 12 months.
You do not have to work in your nominated occupation to secure the 887 visa, and self employment is an option. Full time work for the 12 months must though be demonstrated.
This is definitely a visa pathway that many should consider following, particularly if the points claimed are more questionable – for some the skilled work experience claimed can be particularly difficult to determine with a reasonable level of comfort.
If you have a skilled occupation and are interested in discussing a subclass 489 visa strategy please don’t hesitate to contact us – complete the form on the right hand side of this page or telephone your nearest Go Matilda Visas office.
We have many years of experience helping skilled individuals move to Australia and we’ll be delighted to have an initial conversation with you about your skilled visa options.
