Thinking of Relocating to Tasmania? Key Considerations for Priority Occupations and Nomination Success

Tasmania’s Skilled Migration Program continues to attract graduates and skilled professionals from across Australia, many of whom perceive relocation as an “easy pathway” to permanent residency. While the state offers genuine opportunities, success depends on strategic alignment with Tasmania’s priority occupations, employment requirements, and points system. If you understand the Gold, Green, Orange Plus and Orange category attributes, you will not be too fussed to move to Tasmania if you are not certain to get a job in your nominated occupation.

Tasmania’s Skilled Migration Streams

The program supports subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated) and subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional) visas through multiple streams:

• General Skilled Migration Stream: For applicants with occupations on Tasmania’s skilled list, giving priority to those with employment in their nominated occupation.

• Graduate Stream: For Australian graduates with eligible qualifications and employment prospects in Tasmania.

• Existing Worker Stream: For candidates already employed in Tasmania in a skilled occupation.

• Employer-Sponsored Stream: For applicants with direct job offers in priority occupations, often earning the highest points.

Priority Occupations and the Points System

Tasmania assigns points based on occupation, employment, qualifications, and contribution potential. Occupations are grouped into priority categories, reflecting demand and strategic importance:

• Green Category: Critical occupations in sectors like healthcare, ICT, and engineering; applicants in this group receive maximum points, representing the highest contribution weighting.

• Gold Category: High-demand roles or applicants demonstrating strong contribution potential, such as employment in Tasmania; points are slightly lower than Green but remain highly competitive.

• Orange Plus Category: Moderate priority occupations with additional weighting for local employment or qualifications; points are intermediate.

• Orange Category: Occupations of moderate priority or candidates meeting minimum eligibility; points are lower but still considered for nomination.

This tiered system allows Tasmania to prioritize skilled migrants who make immediate, meaningful contributions to the state’s workforce.

Key Realities for Graduates Considering Tasmania

• Employment is Essential: Securing a job in a nominated occupation is central to gaining points and improving nomination chances.

• Alignment with State Priorities: Roles in priority sectors (healthcare, ICT, education, trades) are favored, particularly those in Green and Gold categories.

• Local Engagement Matters: Points are awarded for Tasmanian residency, work experience, and contribution to the local economy.

Strategic Planning is Critical - Graduates must research priority occupations, secure relevant employment, and understand how their profile aligns with Tasmania’s points system.

Competition Persists - While Tasmania has a smaller population than mainland states, nomination is competitive, especially for Green and Gold category roles.

Planning Your Pathway

Graduates considering relocation should:

• Review Tasmania’s priority occupation lists carefully.

• Seek employment in roles directly aligned with their nominated occupation.

• Understand the tiered points system (Green, Gold, Orange Plus, Orange) to maximize scoring.

• Consider advanced qualifications in high-demand sectors to strengthen eligibility.

Tasmania rewards candidates who combine skills, contribution, and local engagement. Relocation without employment in a priority occupation is unlikely to secure nomination.

Tasmania’s Skilled Migration Program offers a structured, merit-based pathway to permanent residency, but success is contingent upon strategic alignment with priority occupations and employment in the state. Graduates and skilled professionals must navigate the points system - Green, Gold, Orange Plus, and Orange - while demonstrating local contribution to maximize nomination opportunities. For those who plan carefully, Tasmania represents not only a home but a platform for professional and personal growth, hence the TAS state will conduct targeted selection to meet genuine and emerging workforce needs.

At Newsted, we acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work and live, and pay our respects to Elders past and present. We extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.