Our analysis
Four months into the new financial year
NSW Subclass 491 — RDA Pathway Finally Opening
On 2 November 2022
Applications through all RDA local governments will follow a unified process:
Step 1:The applicant completes the application form on the state government’s official website and attaches the relevant documents (compiled into a zip file). Each application may only nominate one RDA. (The form should be publicly available tomorrow.)
Step 2:The state government will forward the form and documents to the applicant’s nominated RDA.Upon receipt, the RDA will send the applicant a confirmation email along with payment details.Important:
*This step only confirms receipt of the application — it does not mean the application has been approved
*All RDA application fees are a flat rate of AUD 800; processing will only begin after payment is received
Step 3:The RDA will process the application within 8 weeks. During this period they may contact the applicant to request additional documents, and will notify the applicant of the outcome.
Step 4:Once the RDA confirms the application is approved, it will notify the state government directly. The state government will issue the official nomination to the applicant within 5 business days, after which the applicant may lodge the Subclass 491 visa.
Quick Tips for NSW Subclass 491 This Financial Year
1. How applications are assessed:All RDAs will share a single occupation list, with each occupation carrying minimum EOI score and relevant work experience requirements. Individual RDAs will assess each application against local needs.
2. Exemption policy:Applicants who have completed study related to a nominated occupation that qualifies for the Australian regional study points claim — in a NSW regional area within the past 24 months — will be exempt from that occupation’s minimum work experience requirement.
3. Who may apply:Applicants overseas are eligible. Those onshore must be residing in NSW, including the Sydney region, with a minimum of 3 months’ residence required.
4. Consider carefully:NSW follows a one-nomination-per-person policy. If you have ever received a formal Subclass 190 or 491 nomination from NSW, you will permanently lose the opportunity to receive any further skilled NSW state nomination.
Occupations Worth Considering for NSW Subclass 491
The following occupations are worth considering for those who cannot reach a higher points score and do not want to leave NSW:
*Bare score = EOI score minus 15 points
Social Professionals (Interpreters and Translators) 65 points, 0 years
Financial Brokers 70 points, 1 year
Architectural, Building and Surveying Technicians 85 points, 2 years
Cooks 85 points, 3 years
Insurance Agents 65 points, 0 years
Real Estate Sales Agents 65 points, 2 years
Cafe and Restaurant Managers — 90 points, 2 years
Accountants — 115 points, 3 years
Advertising and Marketing Professionals — 100 points, 3 years
Architects and Landscape Architects — 100 points, 1 year
Civil Engineering Professionals — 105 points, 1 year
Other Engineering Professionals — 105 points, 1 year
ICT2611/2613 — 110 points, 1 year
ICT2631 — 110 points, 2 years
Hopefully NSW Subclass 491 This Year Will Not Waste Its Quota
NSW Subclass 491 has seen considerable confusion in its implementation over the past few years — possibly in an effort to get things right,this financial year the state government has chosen to take longer to establish clearer, more comprehensive rules rather than rush the process.
NSW Subclass 491 Pathway 2 (direct state government invitation) issued a round of invitations not long ago, targeting high-scoring applicants who lodged in the previous financial year;many of those applicants have since moved to better options under this financial year’s settings.Now that Pathway 1 (RDA pathway) has been slow to open, it remains to be seen how many applicants it will genuinely attract.
The biggest challenge this financial year remains the very high eligibility requirements — a stark contrast to other states.
If you are genuinely committed to pursuing NSW, or are an offshore applicant, NSW Subclass 491 is worth considering as a backup option. To find out more and discuss your eligibility, contact our team below:
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Subclass 189 Final Invitations for Accountants and IT — NSW Subclass 491 Adds Priority Pathway!Clickto view the ‘Original Link’ — Migration Weekly Bulletin Video Edition
