IT and Engineering Graduates: Here’s How to Plan Your Migration for the New Financial Year!

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NSW Subclass 190

In fact, NSW state nomination has always been a relatively stable option, not just during the pandemic. Even throughout the pandemic, the NSW state nomination list has consistently included most of the popular IT and engineering occupations, and its quota has been the largest of all states, making it a great option for NSW-based local graduates to apply. In addition, IT and engineering graduates based in other states but with a relatively high Subclass 189 score are also well suited to moving to NSW and applying for NSW Subclass 190.

Scoring and invitation method

NSW Subclass 190 uses the same points table we’re familiar with from Subclass 189. NSW Subclass 190 has long placed heavy weight on EOI points, and its invitation logic is a highest-score-first system — think of it as “skimming off the top scorers.”So, in the coming new financial year, recently graduated applicants should still aim to secure the necessary EOI bonus points as early as possible — things like a superior English score (four bands of 8), or a Professional Year, and so on.

Among applicants with the same score, the NSW state government will give priority to those whose English scores are higher.Given that top scorers are essentially all achieving a PTE score of 8 across all four skills, it then comes down to individual sub-scores. Applicants with higher scores in any of listening, speaking, reading or writing will have an advantage.So English results are an area recent graduates can put real effort into.

Next comes the competition on work experience.For applicants with the same score and the same English level, those with work experience are given priority,and if both have work experience, the one with the longer work history is given priority.

It’s worth noting that the timing of when you lodge your EOI doesn’t necessarily affect the order in which invitations are issued. In other words, as long as an applicant’s score stands out among applicants in the same field within NSW, they may receive an NSW state nomination invitation sooner rather than later.

Overall, NSW Subclass 190 can be thought of as an elite selection contest — a high score alone isn’t enough. Among the many high scorers, you need a strong English result and relevant work experience to stand out from the crowd. While the flood of invitations at the end of this financial year is encouraging, the new financial year brings a new environment, and recent graduates shouldn’t bank on luck — instead, work steadily, step by step, on English, work experience and other bonus points. Opportunity always favours the applicant who is prepared.

Invitation timing and rules

NSW state nomination has no fixed invitation schedule — invitations can be issued at any point across the financial year (recently, this has been once a month), and the state government cannot guarantee that any particular EOI score, English result or years of work experience will secure an invitation — it ultimately depends on the calibre of your competitors in the same occupation within NSW.

It’s important to note that the NSW state government has explicitly stated it will not prioritise applicants simply because their visa is about to expire, because certain points are about to lapse (such as age points or a PTE result expiring) and would make them ineligible, or because they live and work in NSW.

So applicants in IT, engineering, nursing and other occupations on the state nomination list should plan their points strategy early, and applicants in other states should also plan the timing of their move to NSW, so as not to miss the opportunity. For help planning your points, scan the code to contact me:

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Canberra (ACT) state nomination

Because NSW state nomination is a highest-score-first system, some students may feel the pressure of building up points is considerable. For example, some can’t get four bands of 8 in English no matter what, or haven’t accumulated enough work experience during their work visa — in that case, it’s not the right move to keep grinding away at NSW state nomination alone. Let’s widen our view to other states —one option well suited to IT and engineering professionals is the national capital, Canberra.

The requirements for Canberra (ACT) state nomination are:

Living in the ACT plus six months (for Subclass 190) or three months (for Subclass 491) of full-time work in your nominated occupation.As a hub for government agencies and large employers, Canberra offers relatively easy access to work, and it’s also very close to Sydney.

Canberra state nomination has always been generous towards IT and engineering students.Most IT and engineering occupations sit on Canberra’s occupation list,190Matrix with invitation scores sitting at around 75 points, and Subclass 491 going as low as 55 points — so the pressure to stack up points is relatively low.And as critical occupations, IT, engineering and similar fields automatically receive a 20-point matrix bonus.For students who can’t reach a high score, this is well worth considering.

A unique Matrix scoring system

When it comes to Canberra state nomination invitation scores, we have to mention the matrix points table Canberra uses. This table differs from the Subclass 189 skilled migration bonus-point structure — firstly, meeting the baseline English requirement only needs four bands of 7, and your language score can also be used to earn extra points. Secondly, a spouse’s qualifications, skills assessment, English and local Canberra work can all add points for the main applicant — a real boost for applicants who have a partner.

Overall, graduates in IT, engineering and other occupations in demand locally in Canberra who can score 70-75 points on Canberra’s matrix are very well placed to apply for Canberra state-nominated Subclass 190.

For the detailed Canberra points table and a full explanation of Canberra’s bonus points, scan the code to add me for a detailed answer:

Besides IT, engineering and healthcare, niche, non-priority occupations such as early childhood education, social work, psychologist, copywriter and graphic designer also appear on Canberra’s occupation list.

So if you’ve just graduated and aren’t sure which way to go, feel free to contact me — I’ll help you find the state nomination opportunity that suits you best!

How do you transition from Subclass 188A to 888A in each Australian state?Click “Original Link”for a full explanation!