NSW Invitation Round 2024 | Latest News and Updates

Are you planning to migrate to the most prosperous and growing state of Australia, the New South Wales (NSW)? If so, you might be interested in knowing more about the NSW invitation round 2024. It is a program that permits the NSW Government to propose skilled immigrants for the Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491) and the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190). 

These visas allow you to live and work in NSW either permanently or temporarily depending on your needs and objectives. NSW employs a selection-based invitation procedure in order to make sure that NSW nominees are in line with the skills requirements of the state’s economy. Direct application for NSW nomination is not possible as the nomination process is very competitive. 

Therefore, you must have complete knowledge of NSW invitation round 2024, if you are planning to migrate this year. Read this blog post to have a clear idea about the basic criteria for NSW invitation round 2024, costs for nomination, and also discover the latest updates.

But, before heading towards the details, you must first understand what an invitation round is and how it works. Let’s delve together;

What is an Invitation Round?

It describes the process used by the Australian government to identify and choose talented immigrants who can fill the current labor market gaps in the country. Therefore, it is essential to Australia’s skilled migration program. Similarly, the NSW nomination process includes invitation rounds as a fundamental component. 

Here are the important points of the process of NSW invitation round 2024;

• The NSW Government alone decides whether to send out invitations for NSW nominations.
• The date of SkillSelect EOI submission doesn’t affect your chances of being invited.
• The NSW Government conducts invitation rounds throughout the year. The dates for invitation rounds are not set in stone or announced in advance.
• The NSW takes a number of things into account while choosing Expression of interest (EOIs). These factors include your points score, fluency in the English language, and professional background. The Government gives priorities to EOIs submitted in NSW target industries.

What are the NSW Target Sectors?

NSW prioritizes EOIs for jobs in following major industry areas during invitation rounds;

• Health
• Education
• Agriculture
• Infrastructure
• Information & Communication Technology

Although candidates not in the aforementioned industries may still submit Expression of Interest (EOIs), only highly ranked candidates will be given consideration.

NSW Invitation Round 2024 Latest Updates

For the NSW invitation round 2024, the NSW Government has received;

• 2,650 nominations for the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190).
• 600 nominations for the Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491).

Furthermore, the NSW Government opened invitations for its first round which ran from July 1, 2023, and January 31, 2024. Look at the following table that displays the total number of intending migrants who obtained nominations from NSW Governments during this invitation round;

If you need any help, our team of MARA agents will be your helping hands! Book you appointment now.

Eligibility Criteria for NSW Nomination

In order to qualify for the NSW nomination, an applicant must meet the following eligibility criteria;

• You must be under the age of 45 to be eligible for NSW nomination.
• You need to pass the English language proficiency test.
• You must be residing in New South Wales for at least the previous six months at the time of visa application submission. 
• The New South Wales (NSW) Government will not nominate those candidates who are not currently living in Australia.
• For offshore candidates, it is compulsory that they must be outside of Australia for the past six months.
• You must possess a positive skills assessment in your relevant occupation. Keep in mind that your selected occupation must be mentioned in the skilled occupation list (SOL).

Things to Consider Before Submitting an EOI for NSW Nomination

It is important to pay close attention while submitting an EOI for NSW nomination under the Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190). Note these crucial points:

1. Validity of EOI 

If you are requested to apply for NSW nomination, your EOI needs to be valid for the whole evaluation period. You can’t change your EOI once you’ve been invited.

2. Particular State and Visa 

Your Expression of Interest (EOI) must be solely for the Skilled Nominated visa (Subclass 190), and it must only be for nomination from NSW.

3. Evidence of claims

If invited, you will need to submit legitimate documentation to support each and every claim made in your EOI. Make sure these documents are still valid after the application for at least five business days.

What are the Common Reasons for Application Refusal? 

It is important to know the reasons that may lead to visa rejection before applying for a New South Wales (NSW) nomination. Here I’ve shortlisted some of the most important reasons that you should consider;

1. Modifications in EOI

It’s important to know that changing your EOI after being invited will result in your application being rejected. This policy is stringent and non-negotiable. In order to assure compliance, the Department of Home Affairs checks the last modification date of your EOI throughout the application evaluation.

2. Residency Requirements

You must fulfill our residency requirements in order to be eligible for NSW nomination. Your application will be rejected if you don’t meet this condition.

3. Claims for Skilled Employment

Your application will be denied if you make a claim for employment before NSW determines that you are skilled. You need to show proof that you qualified for every point in your SkillSelect EOI. Otherwise, the Department will reject your application.

What is the Cost for NSW Nomination?

If you are applying from within Australia, a non-refundable application fee of A$330 (including Goods and Service Test) is required. For offshore candidates, the fee is the same and it is non-refundable.  The costs for NSW nomination are determined by each Regional Development Association.

Keep in mind that you must meet the eligibility requirements before applying for NSW nomination. If you fail to satisfy these requirements, your application will be denied. To avoid rejection or refusal, fill out your application form correctly. It is better to take professional help in this matter as the NSW policies are very strict and a small mistake or bogus information can result in the  rejection. 

So, how to avoid rejection? Here is a piece of advice for you!

Get Professional Help at The Migration

The Migration is an authorized organization that has a team of professional and MARA certified agents in Australia. They provide you help regarding selecting the appropriate visa category, best nomination pathway according to your skills, qualifications and aims. 

In short, our team of MARA agents will be your helping hands!

They will help you in preparation and submission of your documents and evidence, thus minimizing the chances of rejection. Therefore, book a consultation now and save your time, money and energy. Moreover, seeking professional advice will also enhance the chances of a positive visa outcome .

Still confused? To know more about the latest updates and news regarding Australian Invitation Round,  read these blogs:

Latest News on Australia Invitation Round December 2023-2024

Latest Updates on New Australian Migration Strategy 2024

Discover 485 Visa New Rules 2024 for International Students

FAQs

What is the latest news for international students in Australia in 2024?

The new migration strategy Australia 2024 states that the English language proficiency requirements for students will be increased. You need to score maximum points in IELTS or PTE. 

Can I get an invitation from NSW with 65 points?

Yes, you can. In order to be invited to apply for the visa and to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI), candidates must receive at least 65 points on the Department of Home Affairs points exam.

What are the key steps to secure NSW nomination?

Here are important steps you need to follow to gain nomination from NSW;

• First check the eligibility criteria and make sure that you meet the nomination requirements.
• Submit your Expression of Interest (EOI).
• After receiving the invitation, respond promptly. Usually, the Government provides a time period of 14-days and you have to respond within this timeframe. 
• Wait for the assessment of your nomination. Typically, it takes approximately six weeks after the submission of fees.

Final Thoughts

So, there you have it-all about the NSW invitation round 2024. Grab the opportunity and act wisely. It is important to understand the process completely at first, whether you meet the eligibility criteria of the visa you are applying for or not. This is the most critical stage as the most common reasons for visa refusal is that candidates provide misleading information in EOIs or modify their EOIs after getting an invitation. So, it is better to seek professional advice. You can also contact us at the Migration to sort out any visa or nomination related issues. We are here to help you.