State Territory Nominated Independent (STNI)

The Victorian Government sponsors migrants with skills that are listed on Victoria's Skills in Demand list. STNI provides permanent residency in Victoria, including Melbourne, and has the following features:

* Priority visa processing
* Exemption from the work experience requirement for eligible international students who have recently graduated from an Australian university or Technical and Further Education (TAFE), and
* Only a 70 point DIMIA Pool Mark is required.

To be nominated by the Victorian Government under the STNI Scheme or SM Scheme means that you accept certain obligations.
Obligations for both schemes are outlined in full in the State Nomination Application Form that you are asked to complete by the Victorian Government’s SMP and include:

* requirement to live and work in Victoria, Australia, for at least two years. This does not include studying.
* agreement to complete four surveys (refer to attachment A): one on arrival in Victoria; the second six months after arrival, the third 18 months after arrival and the final 24 months after arrival. These surveys ask about where you chose to live and why, your employment status and your contact details. A sample of the ‘On Arrival’ Settlement Assistance Survey is in Attachment A
* informing the SMU of your contact details for at least two years after arrival so the surveys can be sent to you
* informing SMU when you will be arriving in Victoria, as well as whether you need employment assistance.