In this article, and following a number of successful applications for overseas trained nurses in Canberra, Andrew Woo, Registered Migration Agent here at Taylor and Scott, explains how ACT nomination works to assist those candidates considering the ACT nomination for a skilled nominated (Subclass 190) visa.
Based on his vast experience in assisting numerous previous and current clients in the ACT area, Andrew claims that among all state and territory governments the ACT government has the most favourable threshold for securing a visa for those graduates from ACT universities and/or skilled workers who already live and work in the ACT area for the following reasons:
- You may nominate any occupation on the Consolidated Sponsored Occupation List (CSOL) even if your occupation is not on the ACT occupation list, as long as you are a resident in Canberra and have the relevant skills assessment for your nominated occupation.
- For a student or temporary graduate visa holders who have not lived in another Australian state or territory within the last two years, you only have to demonstrate that you have lived in Canberra for the last 12 months and you are a graduate from a Canberra institution currently working for an ACT employer in any skilled occupation with skill level 1 to 4.
- Student and temporary graduate visa holders who have lived or studied in another Australian state or territory within the last two years, must demonstrate that you have been a resident in Canberra and you are a graduate from a Canberra based institution working full time for an ACT employer in your nominated occupation. If you are not a graduate from a Canberra institution, you must show that you have been working full time for an ACT employer in the nominated occupation for at least 6 months immediately before applying for ACT nomination.
- For current postgraduate students or postgraduate graduates at a Canberra institution, you may be eligible to apply for ACT nomination if you have lived in Canberra for the last 12 months AND are in receipt of a stipend or living allowance that is ongoing for at least 3 months immediately before applying for ACT nomination OR are currently working in a skilled occupation with skill level 1 to 4.
- For PhD graduates who have completed a PhD at a university located in the ACT and have been living in Canberra for the last 12 months before applying for nomination, you are eligible to apply for streamlined ACT nomination which involves no nomination fee and fast-tracked processing of the nomination application.
- Nomination is not based on merit (points based). In other words, assuming you can satisfy all other requirements and can claim 60 points including 5 points from the ACT nomination, your nomination will generally be approved regardless of your claimed points.
Andrew warns that the nomination application involves strict compliance with the ACT government’s nomination guidelines and therefore extensive preparation of the paperwork to support the visa application is necessary.
Andrew is able to use his experience and best efforts to provide full end to end service to ensure your experience is seamless and enjoyable.
Please contact Andrew Woo, migration expert in general skilled migration at Taylor and Scott on 1800 600 664 or complete the Contact Form on this page. Andrew will provide you with an evaluation of your case as well as clear and candid advice.
At Taylor & Scott, “We Care For You”.
