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The Skilled Regional Visa is for individuals who have the skills, experience and qualifications required to fill Australia’s labour shortage.

This visa is a permanent work visa, and suitable applicants must ensure that their occupation is listed on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL). This visa is ideal for those who have the same skills needed for a Skilled Independent Visa, but are not able to meet the pass mark.

In order to apply for the Skilled Regional Visa, you are required to obtain the minimum 60 points plus sponsorship from an eligible relative living in certain Regional Areas of Australia or from a State or Territory Government.

To be sponsored by a State or Territory government, you must meet the specific requirements set by that particular State/Territory.

To be sponsored by a family member, they must live in a regional area of Australia* and must be either: an Australian citizen, or an Australian Permanent Resident, or an eligible New Zealand Citizen.

As an applicant, you (or your spouse) must be related to the sponsoring family member as either:

• A non-dependent child (natural, adoptive or step-child)
• a parent (natural, adoptive, or step-parent)
• a brother or sister (natural, adoptive, or step-sibling)
• a niece or nephew (natural, adoptive or step-niece or nephew)
• an aunty or uncle (natural, adoptive or step-aunty or uncle)

*Currently, regional areas include:

• New South Wales – everywhere except Sydney, Newcastle, the Central Coast and Wollongong;
• Northern Territory – everywhere;
• Queensland – everywhere except the greater Brisbane area and the Gold Coast;
• South Australia – everywhere;
• Tasmania – everywhere;
• Victoria – everywhere except the Melbourne metropolitan area; and
• Western Australia – everywhere.

You must also submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) via the online system called “SkillSelect.” Once you’ve submitted an EOI, Australian Employers, State and Territory Governments can view your details, and if they want to hire you, they’ll extend an invitation for you to lodge a visa application.

If you receive an invitation to apply for a visa, there will be a limited timeframe to submit a complete visa application with the Department of Immigration and Border Protection.

If you are granted a Skilled Regional visa, you (and any accompanying family members) will be permitted to live, work and study in Australia for up to 4 years. This visa can also be a pathway to permanent residency.