International graduates who have studied in South Australia may be eligible for state nomination as a skilled migrant faster than other candidates. High Performing Graduates may also benefit from certain concessions or waivers under this stream.

International graduates may also be eligible for other nomination streams available. Read through each of the streams before applying to see if you are eligible.

International graduates may also be eligible for other nomination streams available. Read through each of the streams before applying to see if you are eligible.

Eligibility guidelines 

To be eligible under the South Australian Graduates stream, you must:

  1. Check if your nominated occupation is eligible under the South Australian Graduates stream on South Australia’s Skilled Occupation List 
  2. Currently live and work in South Australia
  3. Be under 45 years of age at time of state nomination is approved
  4. Have a valid and positive skills assessment for your nominated occupation
  5. Have at least Competent English, unless your nominated occupation requires registration or licensing to practice in South Australia. If your occupation requires registration or licensing in South Australia, you will need to ensure you meet the English requirement set by the registration or licensing authority to work in South Australia. Occupations with registration requirements include trades, education, and health professions. (Note: Passport holders or citizens of the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada or New Zealand do not need to provide an English language test result)
  6. Score at least 65 points in the Department of Home Affairs’ points test (including state nomination points)
  7. Have completed your qualification at a South Australian education provider and meet the following study requirements:
  8. Be currently working in a job that is related to your nominated occupation. For South Australian nomination, this is defined as being in the same Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) Sub Major Group of your nominated occupation. That is, to the first two digits of the occupation’s ANZSCO Code of the occupation’s ANZSCO Code
  9. Have undertaken your skilled work experience post-course completion
  10. Meet the minimum work experience requirement listed for your occupation on the Skilled Occupation List
  11. Unless specified higher for your nominated occupation on the Skilled Occupation List, be working at least: 
    • 20 hours per week or 40 hours per fortnight for subclass 491 visa nomination 
    • 30 hours per week or 60 hours per fortnight for subclass 190 visa nomination
      If you are a South Australian graduate who has not continuously resided in South Australia after completing your qualification, you must be working at least 30 hours per week for the minimum working period.

To be eligible as a high performing graduate under the South Australian Graduates stream, you must:

  1. Have a nominated occupation on South Australia’s Skilled Occupation List that is eligible for the High Performing Graduates pathway 
  2. Have completed your qualification at a South Australian higher education provider in the last two years
  3. Have a South Australian qualification in the same field as your skills assessment (i.e. your nominated occupation)
  4. Currently live in South Australia, and have continuously resided in South Australia post-course completion
  5. Have at least Proficient English overall, unless specified higher for your occupation. (Note: Passport holders or citizens of the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada or New Zealand do not need to provide an English language test result)
  6. Meet the minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) specified for your nominated occupation on the Skilled Occupation List
  7. Have a qualification in South Australia that meets the High Performing Graduates requirements in the table below 
     

Educational qualification

High Performing Graduate requirements

PhD or Masters by Research degree

You can apply once your degree has been conferred

Masters by Coursework degree

Your Masters degree must be at least 78 CRICOS weeks

First Class Honours in a dedicated Honours year

 

Your Honours year must have followed the completion of a 92 CRICOS week Bachelor degree in South Australia 

Bachelor degree

 

Your Bachelor degree must be at least 92 CRICOS weeks

You must have commenced skilled employment in an occupation related to your nominated occupation.

Further information

For further information on South Australia’s nomination requirements, please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions. To contact us, please lodge an enquiry through the Skilled and Business Migration portal.