Secure Your Future: Updates for the Tasmanian Skilled Visa Nomination Program (Subclasses 190 & 491)
Please note: The 2025-26 Tasmanian Skilled Migration Program is dynamic, and specific criteria are subject to change by Migration Tasmania and the Department of Home Affairs. This webpage is created based on the current known pathways and requirements for the 2025-26 program year, but applicants must always refer to the official Migration Tasmania and Department of Home Affairs websites for the most current information before submitting an application.
Updates for the Tasmanian Skilled Visa Nomination Program (Subclasses 190 & 491)
Tasmania offers a unique opportunity for skilled migrants to achieve Australian permanent residency through the State Nomination Program. The 2025-26 program year continues to focus on attracting and retaining highly skilled individuals who can contribute to Tasmania’s economy, particularly in key growth sectors.
This guide provides a clear overview of the essential eligibility criteria and the specific requirements for overseas applicants under the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) and the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491).
Core Eligibility Requirements (Department of Home Affairs)
All applicants seeking Tasmanian State Nomination must first meet the foundational criteria set by the Department of Home Affairs for the intended visa subclass. These non-negotiable requirements are:
2. Work Visa Application Forms
- Completed visa application form (online or paper-based, depending on the visa type)
- Visa fee payment receipt
3. Skills Assessment & Qualifications
- Educational certificates (attested if required)
- Skills assessment report from the relevant Australian assessing authority (e.g., Engineers Australia, ACS, VETASSESS)
- Professional licenses or memberships (if applicable)
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Age | Must not yet have turned 45 years of age at the time of the invitation to apply. |
| Nominated Occupation | Must have nominated an occupation on the relevant list of eligible skilled occupations. |
| Skills Assessment | Must possess a valid and positive skills assessment for your nominated occupation from the relevant assessing authority. |
| English Language | Must have at least Competent English (e.g., IELTS minimum 6.0 in each band, or equivalent). |
| Points Test | Must achieve a minimum of 65 points on the Department of Home Affairs points test (including the points awarded for state nomination). |
Tasmanian Nomination Pathways for Overseas Applicants (2025-26)
Tasmania offers two primary pathways for skilled migrants currently residing outside Australia:
1. Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190) – Permanent Residency
- Pathway Focus: Overseas Applicant (Health or Education Sector Job Offer Pathway only)
- Key Requirement: This permanent residency pathway is highly focused and typically restricted to applicants with a confirmed, formal job offer in a critical industry sector, specifically Health or Education.
2. Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491) - Regional Pathway
- Pathway Focus: Overseas Skilled Occupation Profiles – (Invitation pathway only)
- Key Requirement: This provisional visa pathway operates on an invitation-only basis. Candidates must first lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) via SkillSelect and then a Registration of Interest (ROI) with Migration Tasmania. Invitations are highly competitive and are issued to the highest-ranking candidates who meet Tasmania’s priority attributes.
- Benefit: Nomination for a Subclass 491 visa provides an extra 15 points toward your overall points score, and it offers a clear route to permanent residency (Subclass 191) after three years of living and working in regional Tasmania and meeting minimum income thresholds.
Mandatory Evidence: Tasmanian Job Market Research (for SC 491 Invitation)
If a candidate receives an invitation from Migration Tasmania to apply for nomination for the Subclass 491 (Overseas Skilled Occupation Profiles), they must provide compelling evidence of thorough research into the Tasmanian job market. This demonstrates a genuine intention and realistic prospect of securing employment upon arrival.
Required Job Market Research Evidence Includes:
- Networking Evidence: Evidence of direct engagement and communication with Tasmanian industry contacts, such as:
- Emails or LinkedIn messages (and their responses) exchanged with employers, HR representatives, or recruitment agencies relevant to your nominated occupation.
- Communication with professional or industry associations in Tasmania relevant to your occupation. Contact details for these associations can often be found on the Business Tasmania website.
- Job Vacancy Research: Detailed personal research into at least two relevant job vacancies in Tasmania.
- The vacancies must have been advertised no more than six months before the date of your nomination application.
- For each vacancy, you must provide a statement explaining how your qualifications, skills, and experience meet the job requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is the Subclass 190 visa?
The Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated visa) is a permanent residency visa. Nomination from the Tasmanian Government provides the applicant with 5 extra points on the Department of Home Affairs points test. Overseas applicants for this visa are currently restricted to the highly-targeted Health or Education Sector Job Offer Pathway.
Q2: What is the Subclass 491 visa?
The Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa) is a five-year provisional visa that allows you to live, work, and study in a designated regional area like Tasmania. Nomination provides 15 extra points. After living in the regional area and meeting a minimum taxable income threshold for three years, holders can apply for the permanent Subclass 191 visa.
Q3: How do I get an invitation for the Subclass 491 visa from overseas?
The Subclass 491 Overseas Skilled Occupation Profiles is an Invitation Only Pathway. You must first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) via SkillSelect and then a Registration of Interest (ROI) via the Migration Tasmania Gateway. Migration Tasmania ranks ROIs based on various factors (e.g., occupation demand, points score, years of experience) and invites the most competitive candidates to apply for nomination.
Q4: Is the Job Market Research for the Subclass 491 mandatory?
Yes. If you are invited by Migration Tasmania to apply for the Subclass 491 nomination as an overseas applicant, providing evidence of job market research (networking and job vacancy analysis) is a mandatory requirement. It is crucial evidence of your commitment and employability in Tasmania.
Q5: Do I need a job offer for the Subclass 491 visa as an overseas applicant?
For the general Subclass 491 Overseas Skilled Occupation Profiles pathway, a job offer is not strictly mandatory to be invited. However, having a formal job offer will significantly enhance your ranking and dramatically improve your chances of receiving an invitation from Migration Tasmania. A job offer is generally required for the Subclass 190 Overseas Applicant pathway.
Q6: What is 'Competent English'?
Competent English means achieving a minimum score on one of the accepted English language tests, such as:
- IELTS: minimum score of 6.0 in each of the four components (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking).
- PTE Academic: minimum score of 50 in each of the four components.
- TOEFL iBT: minimum scores apply to each component.
Next Steps & Professional Guidance
Need expert assistance? Navigating the intricate requirements of the 2025-26 Tasmanian Skilled Migration Program can be complex and highly competitive. Mangalath Immigration is here to provide the precise guidance you need to ensure your application meets all state and federal criteria and is strategically positioned for success.
Contact Mangalath Immigration today to discuss your skilled migration options and maximise your potential for a successful application.