Skilled migration to Queensland, Australia

The Queensland Government encourages highly skilled workers with skills in demand to migrate to Queensland and contribute to the State's economy.

Queensland offers a high standard of living and good working conditions. Queensland workers have rights to fair working conditions, including:

• a discrimination-free workplace
• safe working conditions
• good wages
• public and annual holiday leave entitlements.

The aim of the Queensland Government Skilled Migration Program is to strengthen the economy of Queensland by attracting people with skills in critical shortage.

Please note that the Queensland Government will decide if nomination is in the best interests of Queensland, based on Queensland's labour market, economic and community needs at the time of assessment. Correctly lodging an application does not guarantee nomination.

Please also read the processing timeframes information.

Skilled visas

The eligible skills lists are reviewed regularly and updated to reflect current labour market conditions. The current lists were updated on 30 July 2009.

The Queensland Government participates in the:

• Skilled Sponsored (Migrant) Visa (Subclass 176) 
• Skilled Regional Sponsored (Provisional) Visa (Subclasses 475 and 487)
• Skilled Sponsored (Residence) Visa (Subclass 886)

The skilled visa comparison table provides a brief overview of these visas.

The Queensland Government provides nominations to those skilled migrants who have an eligible skill and who are assessed as likely to provide a clear benefit to the Queensland economy.

A limited number of sponsorships are also available under the Queensland Off-List Nomination Program.

The Australian Government also offers other types of migrant work visas. Visit the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) website to gain a general overview of the processes involved in migration to Australia.