Migrating to Tasmania? Explore the Latest Skilled Employment Guidelines

As of now, the oldest nomination application awaiting allocation for processing was lodged on 5 February 2025. This provides a useful benchmark for applicants to estimate current processing timelines.

Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190) – Current Program Status

• Total Nomination Places Allocated: 2100
• Nomination Places Used: 1288
• Applications Lodged but Not Yet Decided: 150
• Invitations to Apply (Issued but Not Yet Accepted): 94
• Registrations of Interest (ROI) on Hand: 314

There are still a considerable number of places available, offering ongoing opportunities for eligible candidates to secure a nomination under Subclass 190.

Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491) – Current Program Status

• Total Nomination Places Allocated: 760
• Nomination Places Used: 470
• Applications Lodged but Not Yet Decided: 69
• Invitations to Apply (Issued but Not Yet Accepted): 52
• Registrations of Interest (ROI) on Hand: 281

Subclass 491 continues to offer a pathway for skilled workers interested in regional opportunities in Tasmania.

Priority Processing: Orange-Plus Attributes Explained

Candidates with at least one Orange-Plus attribute are recognized by Migration Tasmania as high-priority applicants, significantly increasing their chances of receiving an invitation to apply within six months.

• The higher the number of Orange-Plus attributes, the sooner the invitation may be issued.
• All Subclass 190 candidates with at least one Orange-Plus attribute will be invited during this program year.
• Employment must be skilled to claim Orange-Plus attributes.

Further Information: Claiming Skilled Employment for Priority Attributes

Migration Tasmania has clarified how employment is assessed as skilled (ANZSCO Skill Level 1-3) and the key factors considered when determining eligibility for Gold, Green, or Orange-Plus attributes related to employment.

Criteria for Skilled Employment Claims

• To claim employment-based priority attributes, the role must align with ANZSCO Skill Level 1, 2, or 3.
• If an occupation is not directly listed in ANZSCO, duties may be compared to a similar listed occupation.
• Where no close match is found, ANZSCO's general skill level descriptions may be used for assessment.

Key Considerations for Skilled Employment Assessment

1. Skills and Qualifications
2. Duties Performed
3. Pay Rate

If these three elements do not align to indicate a skilled role, the employment claim may be rejected.

• A pay rate above the current Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT), currently $73,150, may support a claim but must align with duties and qualifications.
• Low wages around the National Minimum Wage indicate unskilled roles and cannot be used to claim Gold, Green, or Orange-Plus attributes.
• Pay rates may also be assessed against industry standards for similar roles.

Examples of Skilled Employment Assessments

Example 1:
A candidate claims to be employed as a Cook (Skill Level 3) at a Tasmanian restaurant. Their reference confirms relevant duties, but their base pay rate of $25 per hour is comparable to a Kitchenhand (Skill Level 5). This role would likely be considered unskilled due to inappropriate pay for the position.

Example 2:
A candidate claims to work as a fully qualified Mechanic (Skill Level 3) at a repair shop, performing relevant duties. However, their base pay rate of $26 per hour aligns with a Driveway Attendant (Skill Level 5). This would likely be deemed unskilled.

Mixed-Duty Roles: How Are They Assessed?

If a role includes both higher (Skill Level 1-3) and lower (Skill Level 4-5) tasks, at least 70% of the duties must align with an ANZSCO Skill Level 1-3 occupation for skilled employment to be recognized.

Example 1:
A Disability Support Worker aligns with 4231 Aged and Disabled Carers (Skill Level 4). Unless their duties closely match a Skill Level 1-3 occupation, they cannot claim priority attributes.

Example 2:
An Assistant Accountant may be accepted if 70% of their duties align with 2211 Accountants (Skill Level 1). Roles primarily focused on administrative work would not qualify as skilled.

Conclusion and Key Takeaways

• Subclass 190 and 491 visa places remain available, providing strong opportunities for skilled migrants.
• Orange-Plus attributes significantly enhance the chances of receiving an invitation — applicants should highlight qualifying attributes clearly.
• Skilled employment claims must meet ANZSCO Skill Level 1-3 standards, supported by appropriate pay, qualifications, and duties.
• Applications are being processed for those lodged as of 5 February 2025, helping applicants gauge expected timelines.

For more detailed guidance on what constitutes skilled employment, visit the official Migration Tasmania resources under "What is skilled employment? (gold, green or orange-plus attributes)".