Frequently Asked Questions About State Sponsorship

• Are there age restrictions for state sponsorship?
• Can I bring my family?
• How much does it cost to apply for sponsorship?
• Can I make an appointment to meet with staff from the Victorian Government's Skilled and Business Migration Program?
• Do I have to live in Victoria to qualify for state sponsorship?
• How much money do I need to migrate to Victoria?
• How long do I have to wait to know if my application for state sponsorship was successful?
• What points do I need to qualify for state visa sponsorship?
• What International English Language Testing System (IELTS) result do I need to qualify for state sponsorship?
• What occupations are eligible for state sponsorship?
• How much work experience do I need to apply for state sponsorship?
• Do I need qualifications to be considered for state sponsorship?
• How do I get my qualifications and skills assessed?

Are there age restrictions for state sponsorship?

To qualify for a skilled migration visa, you must be under 45 years old.

To qualify for most business migration visas, you must be aged 54 years or less. See Visa Options for a list of all business visas available for state sponsorship and the exact age requirements for each visa.

Can I bring my family?

Yes, you can bring your dependents to Australia with you. You will need to include them on your visa application to DIAC, who will make a decision regarding your visa and any dependents who also qualify for migration.

How much does it cost to apply for sponsorship?

There is no charge to apply for visa sponsorship with the Victorian Government, however there are charges to submit your visa application to DIAC. For more information regarding DIAC visa charges, visit the DIAC website.

Can I make an appointment to meet with staff from the Victorian Government's Skilled and Business Migration Program?

Unfortunately, the Skilled and Business Migration Program does not have the resources to meet with migrants individually. However we are happy to respond to your telephone or email queries. Please contact us.

Do I have to live in Victoria to qualify for state sponsorship?

Yes. One of the conditions of state sponsorship is that you agree to living in Victoria. Your commitment to live in Victoria is the primary reason you are granted a visa to Australia.

For the Skilled - Sponsored visa you are required to live in Victoria for the first two years of residence in Australia.

For the Skilled - Regional Sponsored visa you are required to live in regional Victoria (outside metropolitan Melbourne) for two years, and work for twelve months, to meet your visa conditions.

For Business Migration visas you are required to reside and establish an 'eligible' business or maintain a designated investment in Victoria.

How much money do I need to migrate to Victoria?

For skilled migration, the amount of money you will need to bring with you to migrate to Victoria will depend on your individual circumstances and the type of visa you apply for. We strongly encourage you to research the cost of living in Victoria to ensure that you have adequate funds to support your settlement. Find out about the cost of living in Victoria.

For business migration, the amount of net assets required depends on the visa subclass you are applying for. See Visa Options for a list of all business visas available for state sponsorship and financial requirements for each visa.

How long do I have to wait to know if my application for state sponsorship was successful?

State sponsorship for a skilled visa will take 6-8 weeks to process your application and notify you of the result.

State sponsorship for a business visa is subject to a number of variables with the processing time. However, you should generally allow for an average of 30 working days.

What points do I need to qualify for State visa sponsorship?

To be eligible for the Skilled - Sponsored or Skilled - Regional Sponsored visas, you need 100 (DIAC) points.

What International English Language Testing System (IELTS) result do I need to qualify for state sponsorship?

For both the Skilled - Sponsored and the Skilled - Regional Sponsored visa sponsorship you must meet the English language requirement of:

• competent English, or
• vocational English if your nominated skill is a trade.

What occupations are eligible for state sponsorship?

There are separate eligibility requirements for the two state sponsored skilled visa options:

• For the Skilled - Sponsored visa, you must have an occupation on the Skilled - Sponsored (176) Eligibility List or the Skilled - Sponsored (886) Eligibility List
• For the Skilled - Regional Sponsored visa, you must have either:
  • An occupation on the Skilled - Regional Sponsored (475 or 487) Eligibility List or
  • An offer of employment from a regional Victorian employer in any occupation on the DIAC Skilled Occupations List.

How much work experience do I need to apply for state sponsorship?

For the Skilled - Sponsored and the Skilled - Regional Sponsored visas, DIAC requires that your recent work experience be 12 out of the last 24 months.

Do I need qualifications to be considered for state sponsorship?

To qualify for skilled migration, you must have a post-secondary qualification.

How do I get my qualifications and skills assessed?

This depends on your occupation. Some occupations, for example teachers, also have further special requirements that need to be met in order to work in Victoria. For a listing of occupations and details on obtaining a skill assessment, see Qualifications and Assessment.