Offshore Skilled - Sponsored (subclass 176) Visa

This Offshore Skilled Sponsored Visa (subclass 176) visa allows eligible skilled overseas people who are

outside Australia; OR
New Zealand citizens in Australia on a Special Category Visa (subclass 444);

AND

achieve at least 100 points on the General Skilled Migration points test; ﾠ
have a positive skills assessment for your nominated occupation; and
beﾠsponsored by an eligible relative , or nominated by a State or Territory Government.

The Northern Territory Government participates in and nominates eligible overseas skilled people for the Skilled - Sponsored visas.

What does nomination by the Northern Territory mean?

The Skilled - Sponsored visa scheme provides permanent residency for successful applicants. If you are nominated by the Northern Territory Government and you are granted a Skilled - Sponsored visa it is expected that you will reside, seek employment and settle with your family in the Northern Territory.

Am I eligible?

To migrate to the Northern Territory under the Skilled - Sponsored scheme you must be:

eligible to be granted a visa by the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC); and
nominated by the Northern Territory Government.

The Northern Territory Government will consider your application for nomination under the Skilled - Sponsored visa if :

your skilled occupation is listed on the Northern Territory Baseline Listﾠof Occupationsﾠ; and
qualifications and experience accord with the needs of Northern Territory employers.

There is provision for the Northern Territory to nominate applicants whose occupations are not on the Northern Territory Baseline Listﾠof Occupations. Such 'Off List' nominations will only be considered if:

your skilled occupation is listed on the Northern Territory's Occupation Shortage List, or you are otherwise able to demonstrate your employability in the Northern Territory; OR
you have successfully completed a migration eligible two year course at any Charles Darwin University campus in the Northern Territory; OR
you have strong demonstrable family, friendship or other connections in the Northern Territory

How do I apply for nomination by the Northern Territory?

You apply by completing the following steps:

check that your occupation is listed on the Northern Territory Baseline List of Occupations, or meet one of the three criteria for an 'Off-List' nomination;
determine that you are able to demonstrate the required financial capacity;
read, understand and agree to the Skilled - Sponsored obligations set out for nomination by the Northern Territory;
have the relevant Australian assessment authority complete an assessment of your qualifications for the occupation; and
determine if you can meet the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) basic visa requirements in relation to age, English language, recent work experience, health and character.

If you are assessed as eligible for Northern Territory sponsorship you will be advised and asked to sign a sponsorship agreement.

You will also need to show that you and your family have sufficient money/assets to successfully settle in the Northern Territory. The amount required will vary depending on family composition and whether or not family support networks exist. Any support networks you have in the Northern Territory will be taken into account in assessing your financial capacity;

The recommended minimum value of net assets required for settling in the Northern Territory, based on family composition, are:

Family Composition	Minimum Value of Net Assets
Individual Applicant	AUD $35,000
Applicant + Spouse	AUD $50,000
Applicant + Spouse + 1 Child	AUD $60,000
Applicant + Spouse + 2 Children	AUD $65,000

Where a family has more than two children, for each additional dependent child, an extra $5,000 should be added to the minimum annual net asset value of $65,000. You should also allow extra for initial establishment costs in the Northern Territory.

Northern Territory Business and Skilled Migration Services will provide you with a reference number if you are successful in obtaining sponsorship. This reference number must be included with your application for migration together with the other supporting documentation that the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) require for visa assessment.

To meet the basic requirements for a Skilled - Sponsored (subclass 176) visa you must, at the time you lodge your application:

be under 45 years;
meet the English language threshold for your occupation;
nominate a skilled occupation listed on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) and have a suitable skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority forﾠyour nominatedﾠoccupation;
have applied to the relevant assessing authority for a skills assessment for your nominated occupation; and
either have:
- been employed for 12 out of the last 24 months in an occupation listed on the Skilled Occupation List; or
- met the two year study requirement in the last six months with qualifications closely related to your nominated skilled occupation

You and your dependents included on the visa application must be able to meet all other Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) visa requirements including the health and character requirements for permanent residence.

Detailed information about the eligibility criteria and the visa application processes for the Skilled - Sponsored visa can be found in the DIAC "Booklet 6 General Skilled Migration" .

What are the Steps I need to take?

If you have a positive assessment for an occupation contained on the Northern Territory's Skilled - Sponsored Occupation Shortage List, then you submit to the Northern Territory Department of Business and Employment (DBE):

a completed Northern Territory Sponsorship Online Application FormﾠORﾠcompleted hardcopy Skilled Sponsored - Sponsorship Application Form together with a Skilled Sponsored - Acknowledgements & Declaration Form
a detailed curriculum vitae;
a certified copy of your skills assessment, and qualifications;
a certified copy of IELTS test results, or other evidence of English language proficiency;
certified copies of evidence, in $AUD of financial resources;
certified copies of the ID page of your passport and those of your dependents; and
copies of any other documents in support of your application for an 'Off List' nomination.

If you:

are currently in Australia, include a copy of your current visa;
have already lodged a visa application with the DIAC Adelaide Skilled Processing Centre (or Brisbane Skilled Processing Centre if lodged online),ﾠinclude your DIACﾠReference Number;ﾠ
have been offeredﾠemployment,ﾠinclude a copy of the letter of offer or employment contract with your application.

What are my commitments if I am nominated for a Skilled - Sponsored visa by the Northern Territory?

By accepting Skilled - Sponsored nomination from the Northern Territory you are agreeing to:

live, work and settle your family in the Northern Territory for a minimum of two years after arriving in Australia or from the grant date of your permanent residence visa.
keep the Northern Territory Department of Business and Employment (DBE) informed of:
- the status of your visa application;
- your arrival in Australia and current contact details for two years after your arrival.
participate in surveys conducted by DBE in monitoring the Skilled - Sponsored scheme in the Northern Territory.

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DISCLAIMER: The Northern Territory of Australia and the Department of Business and Employment disclaim any liability or responsibility or duty of care towards any person for loss or damage (including special, indirect or consequential loss or damage such as loss of revenue) suffered or caused by any use or reliance on this information. While care has been taken in the production of this Fact Sheet, it is provided as general information only. The Northern Territory of Australia and the Department of Business and Employment accept no responsibility (including for negligence) for errors or omissions and do not assert or imply that it is complete, accurate or current. No person should rely upon the information in this Fact Sheet for the purpose of making any serious, business or investment decisions without obtaining independent and/or professional advice in relation to their particular situation.

Last updated on the Thursday 26 Mar 2009

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