Offshore Skilled - Regional Sponsored Visa (subclass 475)

The Offshore Skilled - Regional Sponsored (Provisional) (subclass 475) visa allows skilled overseas people who achieve at least 100 points on the General Skilled Migration points test to be granted a three year provisional visa provided they are sponsored by an eligible relative living in a designated area or nominated by a State or Territory Government.

The Northern Territory Government participates and nominates eligible overseas skilled applicant people for Skilled - Regional Sponsored (Provisional) (SRS) visas. The whole of the Northern Territory, including Darwin the capital city is considered "regional" for migration purposes.

What does nomination by the Northern Territory mean?

It is expected that if you are nominated by the Northern Territory Government and you are granted a Skilled - Regional Sponsored (Provisional) (SRS) visa 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 - Regional Sponsored (Provisional) (SRS) visa 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 will consider your application for nomination under the Skilled - Regional Sponsored (Provisional) (SRS) visa if:

your skilled occupation is listed on the Northern Territory Occupation Shortage List
you have successfully completed eligible studies at any Charles Darwin University campus in the Northern Territory; or
you have family, friends or other connections in the Northern Territory.

How do I apply for nomination by the Northern Territory?

You are able to apply by completing the following steps:

ensure that you meet one or more of the eligibility criteria for the Northern Territory Skilled - Regional Sponsored (Provisional) (SRS) nomination;
determine whether you are able to demonstrate your financial capacity.
read, understand and agree to the Skilled - Regional Sponsored obligations set out for nomination by the Northern Territory.
have the relevant Australian assessment authority complete an assessment of your qualifications for your occupation; and
determine if you 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 DIAC requires to assess your visa application.

To meet the basic requirements for a SRS (Provisional) (subclass 475) visa you must, at the time you lodge your application:

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

You and all persons included in your application must have made bookings to undergo health checks, and for all those aged 16 years or over to have applied to the Australian Federal Police for a criminal check in the last 12 months.

Detailed information about the eligibility criteria and the visa application processes for the SRS (Provisional) visa can be found in the DIAC "Booklet 6 General Skilled Migration"

Concessional Competent English

There is provision for Concessional Competent English under the Offshore Skilled - Regional Sponsored (subclass 475) Visa and the Onshore Skilled - Regional Sponsored (subclass 487) Visa.

The Northern Territory Government participates in the concessional competent English arrangements for sponsorship. Northern Territory sponsorship is based on a number of factors that include, but is not limited to: the applicant's English language ability; connections to the Northern Territory; likelihood of gaining skilled employment; and financial resources.

Each sponsorship application is assessed on the benefit to the Northern Territory

If Northern Territory Government sponsorship is granted, you will need to provide advice and evidence regarding registration in an approved English Language Training course to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) when you lodge your visa application.

What are the steps I need to take?

If you have applied for an assessment for an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) and you meet at least one of the Northern Territory's criteria for Skilled - Regional Sponsored (Provisional) (SRS) nomination, then you submit:

a completed Northern Territory Sponsorship online application form , or a completed hardcopy sponsorship formﾠwith signed declaration form
a detailed curriculum vitae;
evidence that you have applied for your skills assessment;
a recent copy of IELTS results
certified copied of the ID page of your passport and your dependent family members;
a copy of your current visa; and
if you have already lodged a visa application with the DIAC Adelaide Skilled Processing Centre then you should also include your DIAC Client Reference Number; and
where a Northern Territory employer has offered you employment please include a copy of the letter of offer or employment contact with your application.

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

By accepting Skilled - Regional Sponsored (Provisional) (SRS) 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 - Regional Sponsored (Provisional) scheme in the Northern Territory.

How do I become a Permanent Resident of Australia?

There are a number of options for Skilled - Regional Sponsored (Provisional) visa holders to obtain permanent residence. Some of the options available are:

nomination by an employer in a regional area under the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS)
Skilled - Regional (subclass 887) visa

Download

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

Home > Northern Territory Sponsored Skilled > Skilled - Regional Sponsored Visa > Offshore Skilled - Regional Sponsored Visa (subclass 475)