Requirements for State sponsorship

1. State Sponsored Migration List (SSML) – July 2011 

•  State Sponsored Migration List (SSML) – 2011 - 2012 program year - click to view.

2.1 You must be 49 years or less at the time of the sponsorship decision regardless of the status of a visa application with DIAC.

2.2 Please ensure that you factor in Immigration SA’s sponsorship processing time (at least 8 weeks) as there is no fast-tracking of applications for reasons associated with age.  

3. Nominated Occupation

3.1 Applicants must nominate an occupation that is on the State Sponsored Migration List (SSML) – 2011 - 2012 program year and this must be listed as 'available' (applications can be submitted for occupations listed as high availability, medium availability or low availability).

3.2 If the occupation is listed in red with “Special Conditions Apply” applicants must meet the criteria listed under the heading “Special Conditions Apply”– see below.

3.3 Applicant’s nominated occupation must be evidenced by a positive and current Skills Assessment from the relevant assessing authority as listed at www.immi.gov.au/asri, copies of qualifications, certificates in lieu of a positive Skills assessment will not be accepted.

3.4 A positive skills assessment is required even if the qualification was obtained in Australia.

3.5 Skills assessments that have passed their validity date at the time of Sponsorship decision will not be considered.

3.6 The availability of occupations is subject to change as planning levels are met. This sponsorship is dependent on the occupation being available at the time of sponsorship decision, not time of submission or registration of application.

4. Planning Levels

4.1 Each occupation listed has a planning level and should this be reached, will then be listed in red with “Planning Level Met - Special Conditions Apply”, applicants must meet the criteria listed under  the heading “Special Conditions Apply” – see below.

4.2 Sponsorship availability applies at the time of decision for new sponsorship applications.

5. “Off List” Sponsorship

Offlist applications will be considered on a case by case basis with the following guiding principles:

5.1 Immigration SA is able to sponsor a limited number of skilled applicants for occupations that are not included on the State Sponsored Migration List (SSML) – 2011 - 2012 program year but appear on DIAC’s State and Territory SOL (schedule 1 and 2) for Permanent 886 and 176 state sponsorship.

5.2 Off-list sponsorship is limited to applicants who are recent South Australian (SA) international graduates, who studied at a South Australian institution and where this study meets the DIAC two year study requirement. If any of the applicant’s studies were undertaken outside of South Australia, a minimum of 50% of their qualification must have been completed in South Australia.

Recent SA International Graduates currently residing in South Australia
Onshore recent SA International Graduates currently residing in South Australia must meet all state sponsorship requirements. They should also meet all requirements listed under 5.1, 5.2, 5.3 and 5.4

5.3 Applicants should meet ONE of the following:

5.3.1 Have completed a Bachelor Degree or qualification higher than a Bachelor Degree in South Australia.

Documents required: A copy of the academic transcript AND a letter of completion from the institution.

Or

5.3.2 Undertaking a PhD in South Australia.

Documents required: A copy of the Confirmation of Enrolment (COE) or a letter of enrolment from the institution.

A higher education Advanced Diploma may be considered in exceptional circumstances.

5.4 Applicants should meet ONE of the following:

5.4.1 Currently working in a skilled occupation (minimum 30 hours per week) in South Australia. The skilled occupation must be listed as ANZSCO level 1 to 4.

Documents required: A contract of employment or a letter from the employer confirming employment details.

OR

5.4.2 Have met the general work experience requirement.

Recent SA International Graduates currently residing interstate
Onshore recent SA International Graduates currently residing interstate must meet all state sponsorship requirements. They should also meet all requirements listed under 5.1, 5.2, 5.5 and 5.6

5.5 Applicants should meet ONE of the following:

5.5.1 Have completed a Bachelor Degree or qualification higher than a Bachelor Degree in South Australia.

Documents required: A copy of the academic transcript AND a letter of completion from the institution.

OR

5.5.2 Undertaking a PhD in South Australia.

Documents required: A copy of the Confirmation of Enrolment (COE) or a letter of enrolment from the institution.

A higher education Advanced Diploma may be considered in exceptional circumstances.

5.6 Applicants should ALSO meet ONE of the following:

5.6.1 Currently working in a skilled occupation (minimum 30 hours per week) in South Australia. The skilled occupation must be listed as ANZSCO level 1 to 4.

Documents required: A contract of employment or a letter from the employer confirming employment details.
 
OR

5.6.2 Have met the general work experience requirement

Former SA International Graduates who are now offshore
Offshore recent SA International Graduates must meet all state sponsorship requirements, as well as all requirements listed under 5.1, 5.2, 5.7 and 5.8

5.7 Have completed a Bachelor Degree or qualification higher than a Bachelor Degree in South Australia.

Documents required: A copy of the academic transcript AND a letter of completion from the institution.

5.8  Have met the general work experience requirement. This must be in your nominated occupation or closely related nominated occupation.

Note: Planning levels apply to all “Off List” occupations and their availability for sponsorship is subject to change.  

Please note that all "Off list" applications will be considered on a case by case basis.
 

6. “Special Conditions Apply”

Please note: Special conditions are listed in red on the State Sponsored Migration List (SSML) - 2011 - 2012 program year.

6.1 Immigration SA is able to sponsor a limited number of skilled applicants for occupations listed as “Special Conditions Apply” for Permanent 886 and 176 state sponsorship.

6.2 Occupations listed as “Special Conditions Apply” are limited to applicants who are recent South Australian (SA) international graduates, who studied at a South Australian institution and where this study meets the DIAC two year study requirement. If any of the applicant’s studies were undertaken outside of South Australia, a minimum of 50% of their qualification must have been completed in South Australia.

Recent SA International Graduates currently residing in South Australia
Onshore recent SA International Graduates currently residing in South Australia must meet all state sponsorship requirements. They should also meet all requirements listed under 6.1, 6.2, and 6.3 and 6.4.

6.3 Applicants should meet ONE of the following:

6.3.1 Have completed a Bachelor Degree or qualification higher than a Bachelor Degree in South Australia.

Documents required: A copy of the academic transcript AND a letter of completion from the institution.

OR

6.3.2 Undertaking a PhD in South Australia.

Documents required: A copy of the Confirmation of Enrolment (COE) or a letter of enrolment from the institution. 

A higher education Advanced Diploma may be considered in exceptional circumstances.

6.4 Applicants should ALSO meet ONE of the following:

6.4.1 Currently working in a skilled occupation (minimum 30 hours per week) in South Australia. The skilled occupation must be listed as ANZSCO level 1 to 4.

Documents required: A contract of employment or a letter from the employer confirming employment details

OR

6.4.2 Have met the general work experience requirement

Recent SA International Graduates currently residing interstate
Onshore recent SA International Graduates currently residing interstate must meet all state sponsorship requirements, as well as all requirements listed under 6.1. 6.2, 6.5 and 6.6.

6.5 Applicants should meet ONE of the following:

6.5.1 Have completed a Bachelor Degree or qualification higher than a Bachelor Degree in South Australia.

Documents required: A copy of the academic transcript AND a letter of completion from the institution.

OR

6.5.2 Undertaking a PhD in South Australia.

Documents required: A copy of the Confirmation of Enrolment (COE) or a letter of enrolment from the institution.

A higher education Advanced Diploma may be considered in exceptional circumstances.

6.6 Applicants should ALSO meet ONE of the following:

6.6.1 Currently working in a skilled occupation (minimum 30 hours per week) in South Australia. The skilled occupation must be listed as ANZSCO level 1 to 4.

Documents required: A contract of employment or a letter from the employer confirming employment details.  

OR

6.6.2 Have met the general work experience requirement

Former SA International Graduates who are now offshore
Offshore recent SA International Graduates must meet all state sponsorship requirements, as well as all requirements listed under 6.1, 6.2, 6.7 and 6.8

6.7 Have completed a Bachelor Degree or qualification higher than a Bachelor Degree in South Australia.

Documents required: a copy of the academic transcript AND a letter of completion from the institution.

6.8 Have met the general work experience requirement. This must be in your nominated occupation or closely related nominated occupation.

Note: Planning levels apply to all occupations and their availability for sponsorship is subject to change.  

7. Work Experience

7.1 The general requirement is one year of skilled work experience in the past two years; however certain exceptions (see heading “Work Experience Waiver”) may apply.

7.2 This skilled work experience is defined as at least 20 hrs per week of paid employment in an occupation listed on the DIAC Skilled Occupation List (SOL) – Schedule 1 and 2 with responsibilities commensurate with this skill level.

7.3 This paid skilled work experience is assessed as being after your qualification(s) have been successfully completed. 

 7.4 Any applicant (offshore or onshore) relying on Australian work experience to meet the minimum work experience requirement will not be eligible to apply unless at least 50% of this has been achieved in South Australia.

8. Work Experience Waiver

8.1 Recent international graduates who studied in South Australia do not require any work experience if they meet ONE of the following criteria. Please note that the occupation must be listed on the State Sponsored Migration List (SSML) - 2011 - 2012 program year as 'available' (the work experience waiver is available for occupations listed as high availability, medium availability or low availability at time of decision).

Please note: if your occupation is listed on the SSML as requiring 3 years work experience in the field then you cannot access the work experience waiver.

8.1.1 Achieved an IELTS score of 7.0 in each band OR 7.5 overall and continue to reside in South Australia. 

OR

8.1.2 Currently working in a skilled occupation (minimum 30 hours per week) in South Australia. The skilled occupation must be listed as ANZSCO level 1 to 4.

Documents required: A contract of employment or a letter from the employer confirming employment details. 
 

8.2 If the occupation is listed as “Special Conditions Apply” all applicants must meet the requirements listed above in 6. “Special Conditions Apply”.
 

9. English language

9.1 Most occupations have a special IELTS requirement over and above the minimum DIAC requirement of 6.0 in each band, please see the State Sponsored Migration List (SSML) – 2011 - 2012 program year.

9.2 Passport holders and citizens of the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, United States of America, or the Republic of Ireland are exempt from providing an IELTS test score where the requirement is 6.5 or less.

9.3 If the English IELTS requirement for your occupation is 7.0 or higher and you are from one of the exempt countries, you must provide evidence of achieving this IELTS requirement.

9.4 If an applicant for an occupation requiring registration to practice in SA is already registered and working in SA but does not meet the listed English requirements in the State Sponsored Migration List (SSML) – 2011 - 2012 program year,state sponsorship may be available if the applicant meets all other criteria. Note: A date valid IELTS test result is still required to be submitted and must meet the minimum requirement of 6.0 in each band.

9.5 The IELTS test that you provide must be less than two (2) years old at the time of Sponsorship Decision regardless of the status of a visa application with DIAC. The General or Academic result will be accepted.

9.6 Please Note: Immigration SA only accepts the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). 

10. Special Requirements or Conditions

10.2 Please note that if you are a recent international graduate who studied interstate you need to have completed at least 6 months of your post-study work experience in South Australia and be currently residing in the State.  Only a provisional visa will be available in these circumstances.  Verification processes will be applied. 

11. Financial Capacity

11.1 Applicants must ensure that they have sufficient funds for settling and living when they arrive in South Australia. Applicants should not dispose of any assets before the visa is granted and these funds must be available upon arrival in South Australia.  Evidence of financial capacity is not required. However, Immigration SA reserves the right to seek additional information or evidence at a later stage if necessary. The requirement depends on whether you are applying offshore or onshore:

11.2 Offshore applicants (176 and 475 sponsorship) 

11.3 Onshore applicants (886 and 487 sponsorship)

11.4 If you qualify as a recent international graduate you may claim financial support from your parents but will need to complete the Financial Support Pro Forma.

11.5 If sufficient assets are in the principal applicants/partner’s name, only complete the relevant section in the online application form.

12. Commitment to South Australia

12.1 State Sponsorship is provided to meet skills needs of this State and is granted on the basis of successful applicants’ interest and genuine commitment to living and working in South Australia.

12.1 Applicants must demonstrate a genuine interest in South Australia and a commitment to live and work in the state for at least two years by:

12.1.1 Undertaking first-hand, thorough, meaningful research on South Australia. Providing your reasons for your interest in migrating to South Australia in the on-line application (Do not provide hard copy research with supporting documentation).

12.1.2 Undertaking relevant research on job opportunities and any licensing/registration requirements.

12.1.3 If applicable providing information about previous visits to South Australia and family or social networks.

12.1.4 Onshore applicants may be required to provide evidence of South Australian residence and that their employment experience has been primarily achieved in South Australian.

13. Documents Required

13.1 Documents must be posted to GPO Box 1264, Adelaide, SA 5001 OR couriered to Immigration SA, Department of Trade and Economic Development, Level 5, 131 Grenfell Street, Adelaide, SA 5000.  Only documents posted or couriered will be accepted. All documentation must be received at time of lodgement.

13.2 All documents must still be current and valid at the time of Sponsorship decision regardless of visa application status with DIAC.

13.3 Ensure that the documents, if they have a validity date, have not expired as Immigration SA does not accept documents that have expired at the time of Sponsorship application.

13.4 Providing false documentation is a serious criminal offence and may be prosecuted.

13.5 Documents do not need to be originals or certified copies, but must be true copies of genuine originals.

13.6 All documents must be in English or translated by a qualified Translator into English.

13.7 Only send documents that are requested. Non-essential documents may delay processing and only a complete set of supporting documents will be accepted and assessed.

13.8 Documents are registered within 2 working days of receipt.

13.9 Check that you have included all the essential documents from the list in the Application Cover Sheet. Documents that are missing any items will be registered as incomplete and your application will not be processed and will be destroyed.

13.10 Do not send documents separately as these will also be destroyed.

13.11 Check the Client Tracking System – Immigration SA cannot provide you with any more information than what is available on the Client Tracking System.

14. Documents Check List:

Note: only supply the documents requested, additional documentation is not required.

14.1 Application Cover Sheet signed and witnessed (in English) – you can print this when you have completed and submitted the online application.

14.2 Copy of passport page with photo and personal details (principal applicant only).

14.3 Copy of positive Skills Assessment for your nominated occupation that is current and date valid.

14.4 Copy of IELTS Test (unless you are from an exempt country) that was undertaken less than two years ago.

14.5 Copy of IELTS Test if a score of 7.0 (in each band) or higher is required for that occupation (regardless of exempt country).

14.6 Only if you are a recent international graduate - Financial Support Pro Forma Form – completed and signed by the applicant and the person providing the support.

14.7 – Optional – Employment contracts/letters from current and/or previous employers for the last two years only.

14.8 If your occupation is Off-List or Special Conditions apply, the following documents are required: 

14.8.1 If you are currently working in South Australia, a copy of the contract of employment or a letter from the employer confirming your commencement date, job title, duties and tasks, salary and number of hours you are working.

and

14.8.2 A copy of the academic transcript AND a letter of completion from the South Australian institution. If you currently undertaking a PhD, a copy of the Confirmation of Enrolment (COE) or a letter of enrolment from the South Australian institution is required.

14.9 If you are applying for the occupations of Accountant (General) or Taxation Accountant, evidence of your qualification completion date is required. One of the following documents are required: a copy of your academic transcript or a copy of your qualification. 

Note: where required Immigration SA will verify all documentation provided with the necessary authorities, organisations and companies. Sponsorship applications that have been approved may be revoked or withdrawn if it is discovered that the documents or information supporting the application have been forged, fraudulent, dishonest or deliberately inaccurate. Advice will be sent to DIAC to withdraw the application which may result in a decision to refuse or cancel the visa. In the event that fraud is detected and state sponsorship is refused or revoked as a result, applicants will not be eligible for South Australian state sponsorship in the future. Any subsequent applications will be refused.