Frequently Asked Questions - Capital Investment Scheme

Information about lodging a capital investment

Applicants who were affected by the closure of the capital investment scheme may now lodge a deposit with the South Australian Government Financing Authority. This is the only scheme currently available which the department is satisfied meets the requirements in the Regulations.

In consultation with the South Australian Government Financing Authority, the department will facilitate their administration of the reopening of the capital investment scheme by issuing Form 1134 Declaration General Skilled Migration (Bonus points for capital investment in Australia). 

To assist processing, applicants may only make a deposit accompanied by Form 1134 Declaration General Skilled Migration (Bonus points for capital investment in Australia) and the letter sent to you from your case officer.

The department is aware that applicants will be anxious to make their capital investment and finalise their applications. Applicants will be contacted in the order in which they lodged their applications. Please wait until you are contacted by your case officer, which will be within the next couple of months as the processing of these applications is re‑commenced and finalised. Your case officer will give you detailed information about how to lodge your capital investment.

Note: The South Australian Government Financing Authority will not accept investments for migration purposes unless accompanied by Form 1134 and the letter sent to you from the department.
See: SAFA Migration Bonds

Those applicants who are no longer able to make the $100 000 deposit for a period of at least 12 months, may still pursue other options relevant to their circumstances.

What other visa options do I have?

Applicants should check if their nominated occupation has been added to the Migration Occupation in Demand List (MODL). If your occupation is now listed on the MODL, you will be awarded at least an additional 15 points. In this instance the department will resume processing of your application.
See: Is your occupation in demand?

Applicants could seek to claim the maximum for English language points available under Schedule 6A, ‘competent English’. To achieve ‘competent’ English, an applicant must score at least six (6) on each of the four (4) components of the International English Language Test Scheme (IELTS) test. Applicants who can demonstrate this level of English language proficiency will achieve 20 points on the GSM points test.
Note: under Schedule 6A of the pre 1 September 2007 visas, native English speakers from the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, the United States of America and the Republic of Ireland may have already been awarded the maximum points for English language.

Applicants can seek bonus points for demonstrated proficiency in a ‘designated/community language’. Applicants who can demonstrate this proficiency via NAATI accreditation or overseas qualification (equivalent to an Australian bachelor degree) in a designated language, are eligible for the award of five (5) points on the GSM points test if they have not claimed other bonus points.
See: Australian Community Language

Applicants may be able to claim 'partner skills' points if their partner is able to satisfy the relevant age, English language ability, recent work experience or Australian study, and if they have obtained a suitable skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority.
Important: You cannot claim 'partner skills' points if your partner is an Australian permanent resident or an Australian Citizen.

Applicants also have the option to reapply under the new GSM visa stream and be assessed against the post 1 September 2007 requirements. However, please note that there are no provisions to refund any  Visa Application Charge (VAC) paid in respect of a withdrawn application and you will need to pay another VAC to lodge a new application.

Detailed information regarding the current offshore and onshore GSM visa subclasses is available on the department’s website.
See: Visa Options

Applicants may also wish to consider employer sponsored visa options.
See: Employer Sponsored Visas

I want to apply for a new GSM visa

Applicants affected by the Capital Investment Scheme who decide to lodge a new visa application must meet all the eligibility criteria for the new GSM visa at the time of making a new application.

You should include a cover note stating that you have a current undecided GSM application.

If you are onshore, and you hold a Bridging Visa (BVA or BVB), to avoid it ceasing, do not withdraw your current application until your new application has been decided.

Applicants who decide to lodge a new GSM visa application must pay a new VAC.

If you decide to lodge a further application, please contact the Adelaide Skilled Processing Centre and provide the details of your new application.

Can my current application be used to grant me a different visa?

The Regulations allow, in limited circumstances, certain applications for one visa subclass or class to be considered against the criteria for another without having to apply for a new visa.

Applicants who have applied for a Skilled – Independent (subclass 136) visa can also be considered for a State/Territory Nominated Independent (subclass 137) visa if they are able to secure nomination by a State or Territory. Applicants should consult the relevant State or Territory website to determine whether their nominated occupation is on a State’s occupation list.
See: Nomination by State/Territory Government

Important: Although the information available from this webpage refers to applicants for a subclass 176 visa, it is also relevant to applicants for a Skilled - Independent (Migrant) Class BN visa.

If you applied for one of the following visas:

• Skilled – Independent (subclass 136) visa
• Skilled – Australian Sponsored (subclass 138) visa
• Skilled – Independent Overseas Student (subclass 880) visa
• Skilled – Australian Sponsored Overseas Student (subclass 881) visa.

you may be eligible to be considered for one of the following:

• Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa if you have an Australian employer who is willing to nominate you
• Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) if you have been offered a position in a designated area
• Labour Agreement (LA) visa if you have a nomination from an employer under a Labour Agreement.

If you are eligible, you do not need to lodge a further application to be considered against the criteria for an ENS, RSMS or LA visa.
See: Skilled workers permanent visa options

How can I apply for nomination from an employer or State or Territory government?

You can check if a State or Territory is willing to sponsor applicants with your occupation and then contact them directly for nomination.
See: Nomination by State/Territory government

In some circumstances, States may be willing to nominate applicants even if their occupation is not on their State lists. You may wish to approach the State you intend to live in to see if they will nominate you.

For instance, if you are considering living in South Australia, you may wish to contact the South Australian immigration manager.
Email: gsm.sa@state.sa.gov.au

You may also have your skills and work experience listed on the Skill Matching Database. This provides a database to employers and State and Territory Governments who are willing to nominate applicants who have applied for the following permanent visas:

• Skilled – Independent (subclass 136) visa
• Skilled – Australian Sponsored (subclass 138) visa
• Skilled – Independent Overseas Student (subclass 880) visa
• Skilled – Australian Sponsored Overseas Student (subclass 881) visa.

You will need to provide your personal contact details as well as details of your qualifications and work history. If you have a partner, they may also complete the form and be entered on the database.

If an employer or State and Territory Government is interested in nominating you, they will contact you for further information.

If you applied for one of these visas and now wish to have your employment details listed on the Skill Matching Database, you will need to complete Form 1266.
See:
Form 1266 (152KB PDF file)
Skill Matching Database Overview