Australia grants state nomination when your skills match a state’s needs; you lodge your visa application, supply supporting documents, complete health and character checks, and await the Department of Home Affairs’ decision.
Receiving the Official Invitation to Apply (ITA)
Once you receive the Invitation to Apply, you have a set timeframe to submit your federal application-gather identity, employment and qualification evidence, schedule health exams, and prepare police clearances so your lodgement is complete and timely.
SkillSelect Notification and Validity Periods
You will receive a SkillSelect notification showing the ITA’s expiry date; act before the validity period ends, verify nomination specifics, and upload any requested documents to keep your application valid.
Transitioning from State Approval to Federal Application
State approval signals that you should prepare for the Department of Home Affairs lodgement by compiling statutory declarations, proof of employment and the formal nomination letter required for the federal stage.
Prepare certified translations, employer references, qualification assessments and identity documents according to the federal checklist; lodge early to allow time for health checks, police clearances and rectifying omissions, and assess whether a bridging visa is needed if you must remain in Australia while your application is processed.
Lodging the Formal Visa Application
You lodge your visa application online using ImmiAccount once you have nomination; ensure you attach nomination details, complete forms accurately, and declare any changes in circumstances to avoid delays.
Compiling Essential Documentary Evidence
Collect certified identity documents, skills assessment, employment references, qualification transcripts, police checks, and health certificates; organise them in the order requested and provide certified English translations where needed.
Payment of Visa Application Charges (VAC)
Pay the VAC through ImmiAccount when prompted; keep proof of payment, check for additional applicant or subsequent entrant fees, and confirm any surcharge or biometric charges that may apply.
Keep copies of your VAC receipts and transaction IDs; refunds are uncommon, so verify fee amounts before submission, monitor your bank statement for the transaction, and contact the Department of Home Affairs promptly if the payment fails or shows discrepancies.
Mandatory Health and Character Assessments
Health checks and police clearances are required after state nomination; you must complete them before visa finalisation, and results influence processing timelines.
Completing Bupa Medical Examinations
Bupa will schedule your medical at an approved panel clinic; you must bring photo ID, attend chest X‑ray and blood tests, and allow reports to be sent directly to the Department.
Obtaining International Police Clearances
Police certificates are required from countries where you lived 12 months or more in the last ten years; you should obtain certified, translated copies and submit them with your application.
Timelines for issuing police checks vary by country, so you should use embassies, online portals or local police stations, check authentication and apostille rules, and start requests early to avoid delays.
Managing Your Status via Bridging Visas
After state nomination, you may be granted a bridging visa that keeps you lawful while your permanent application is assessed; check conditions and expiry dates regularly to avoid gaps.
Rights and Conditions Under Bridging Visa A (BVA)
BVA holders generally retain current work and study rights, but you must observe any travel restrictions, reporting requirements and visa conditions specified on your grant notice.
Maintaining Lawful Status During Processing Times
While processing can take months, you must ensure you hold a valid visa at all times; apply for bridging visas promptly if your current visa expires.
If your current visa will expire before a decision, you should lodge the bridging visa application before expiry, respond to Department requests quickly, update contact details and work status, and consult a migration agent if complex issues or condition breaches arise.
The Department of Home Affairs Assessment Phase
After state nomination, the Department assesses your file, reviews documents, checks health and character requirements, and may request extra evidence; processing times vary, so monitor your ImmiAccount and respond promptly to any notices.
Responding to Requests for Further Information (s56)
When you receive an s56 request, upload clear, certified documents and address each point within the deadline, keeping copies and receipts in your ImmiAccount to reduce the risk of delays or refusal.
Verification of Employment and Skill Claims
Assessors verify your employment and skill claims by contacting referees, cross-checking contracts, payslips, tax records and skill assessment outcomes; provide employer contact details and certified translations to support your case.
Provide comprehensive evidence: employment contracts showing role, hours and dates; detailed employer references on company letterhead with direct supervisor contact, ABN and verification method; payslips, tax filings and bank statements demonstrating salary; and any professional registration or certified skill assessment reports. Keep certified translations and originals ready, and if your evidence is inconsistent or vague, authorities can trigger further checks or refuse your application, so make documentation specific, dated and corroborated.
Post-Grant Obligations to the Nominating State
State nomination obliges you to meet post-grant conditions set by the nominating jurisdiction, such as residency expectations, evidence of settlement, and cooperation with verification checks to maintain your sponsored status.
Commitment to Live and Work in the Region
You should plan to reside and seek employment in the nominated region for the period the state expects, demonstrating ongoing ties through work, housing or community engagement to satisfy their review.
Mandatory Reporting and Surveys
Nominating states typically require you to submit periodic reports or survey responses confirming your address, employment and settlement progress within set deadlines, and these feed into their compliance monitoring.
Reports often arrive by email or an online portal and you must provide accurate dates, employer details and evidence such as tenancy agreements; failure to respond or provide incorrect information can lead to state follow-up, withdrawal of support or notification to immigration authorities, so keep records and reply promptly or contact the nominating office if your circumstances change.
Summing up
Upon reflecting, you must lodge your visa application within the specified timeframe, submit required documents, and complete health and character checks. A bridging visa can allow temporary stay while authorities process your case, after which you can move to Australia, work under conditions, and progress to permanent residency.