190 Visa Updates in NSW: Skills Lists & Priority Sectors

Good news for 190 visa hopefuls in Sydney! NSW is gearing up for this years’ 190 program. Just this morning they’ve announced some amendments to their process and criteria. With this movement, hopefully there will be an invitation round any day now 🤞

Heads up—the application fee for the 2024-25 program has gone up slightly to A$315 (plus GST if you’re applying from inside Australia). Still, a small price for the opportunity to call NSW home, right?

Here’s a quick rundown of what’s new:

1. NSW Priority Sectors
NSW is focusing on key industries with ongoing skill shortages and rapid changes. These sectors are calling out for talent:

  • Construction (infrastructure and housing)

  • Renewables (clean energy and net zero)

  • Care Economy (aged care, disability services, early childhood education)

  • Digital and Cyber (across all industries)

  • Education (teachers)

  • Agriculture and Agrifood

  • Advanced Manufacturing

2. Published Skills Lists
NSW has released its updated skills lists for the 2024-25 program year! These lists are published at the ANZSCO unit group level for the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190). But remember, not all occupations within each unit group may qualify for nomination, so double-check that your occupation is eligible before going ahead with a skills assessment.

Here is what’s listed:

  • 1212 - Crop Farmer

  • 1325 - Research and Development Managers

  • 1331 - Construction Managers

  • 1332 - Engineering Managers

  • 1334 - Manufacturers

  • 1335 - Production Managers

  • 1341 - Child Care Centre Managers

  • 1342 - Health and Welfare Services Managers

  • 1343 - School Principals

  • 1351 - ICT Managers

  • 2321 - Architects and Landscape Architects

  • 2322 - Surveyors and Spatial Scientists

  • 2326 - Urban and Regional Planners

  • 2331 - Chemical and Materials Engineers

  • 2332 - Civil Engineering Professionals

  • 2333 - Electrical Engineers

  • 2334 - Electronics Engineers

  • 2335 - Industrial, Mechanical and Production Engineers

  • 2336 - Mining Engineers

  • 2339 - Other Engineering Professionals

  • 2341 - Agricultural and Forestry Scientists

  • 2342 - Chemists, and Food and Wine Scientists

  • 2343 - Environmental Scientists

  • 2344 - Geologists, Geophysicists and Hydrogeologists

  • 2411 - Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teachers

  • 2412 - Primary School Teachers

  • 2414 - Secondary School Teachers

  • 2421 - University Lecturers and Tutors

  • 2513 - Occupational and Environmental Health Professionals

  • 2515 - Pharmacists

  • 2521 - Chiropractors and Osteopaths

  • 2524 - Occupational Therapists

  • 2531 - Generalist Medical Practitioners

  • 2533 - Specialist Physicians

  • 2534 - Psychiatrists

  • 2535 - Surgeons

  • 2539 - Other Medical Practitioners

  • 2541 - Midwives

  • 2543 - Nurse Managers

  • 2544 - Registered Nurses

  • 2611 - ICT Business and Systems Analysts

  • 2613 - Software and Applications Programmers

  • 2621 - Database and Systems Administrators, and ICT Security Specialists

  • 2631 - Computer Network Professionals

  • 2723 - Psychologists

  • 2725 - Social Workers

  • 3112 - Medical Technicians

  • 3121 - Architectural, Building and Surveying Technicians

  • 3122 - Civil Engineering Draftspersons and Technicians

  • 3123 - Electrical Engineering Draftspersons and Technicians

  • 3125 - Mechanical Engineering Draftspersons and Technicians

  • 3129 - Other Building and Engineering Technicians

  • 3211 - Automotive Electricians

  • 3212 - Motor Mechanics

  • 3222 - Sheetmetal Trades Workers

  • 3223 - Structural Steel and Welding Trades Workers

  • 3231 - Aircraft Maintenance Engineers

  • 3232 - Metal Fitters and Machinists

  • 3234 - Toolmakers and Engineering Patternmakers

  • 3311 - Bricklayers and Stonemasons

  • 3322 - Painting Trades Workers

  • 3331 - Glaziers

  • 3332 - Plasterers

  • 3333 - Roof Tilers

  • 3334 - Wall and Floor Tilers

  • 3341 - Plumbers

  • 3411 - Electricians

  • 3421 - Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanics

  • 3422 - Electrical Distribution Trades Workers

  • 3423 - Electronics Trades Workers

  • 3941 - Cabinetmakers

  • 4117 - Welfare Support Workers

3. Invitation Rounds for Subclass 190 Visa
The invitation rounds for NSW nomination under the subclass 190 visa will be kicking off soon and will run regularly throughout the year. To stay eligible, make sure your SkillSelect EOI is up to date and you’ve got valid evidence to support all claims in your application. This will boost your chances of getting that golden invitation!

For more details on how these changes might impact your application, visit the NSW Government’s website or speak with a registered migration agent or legal practitioner for expert advice.

Disclaimer: This post is for general information only and is not intended as legal advice. If you’d like advice tailored to your personal situation, book a consultation with Visa Sidekick today!

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