Tasmania – 491 Small Business Owner (SBO)

Tasmania is a beautiful island and has many places still wild and untouched by man. In recent years, the Tasmanian Government’s policy is to increase the State population and hence, they have introduced policies to welcome migrants, including graduates, working migrants and small business owners. Not only offering migrants with opportunities to become Australian, Tasmania is also a place that you can build your future and settle down with your families, i.e. small cities with affordable housing, great schools, short commute times, welcoming communities and safe.

For people who want to run their own business, Tasmania offers a pathway to achieve permanent residency from visa 491 (TR) to visa 191 (PR) for small business owner who demonstrate that they meet the following criteria:

• Your business has been established and operated in anywhere in Tasmania for at least 6 months.
• It has to be solely owned by you.
• Personal income derived from operating the business would meet the minimum taxable income requirement set by DHA for visa 191. Currently, that is $53,900 per year for at least 3 years in the next 5 years.
• DHA requirements:
  • Under 45 years of age
  • Nominated an occupation on LIN19/051
  • A positive skills assessment for your nominated occupation
  • At least IELTS 6.0 or equivalent
  • At least EOI 65 points (including 15 points of state nomination)
• A comprehensive business plan with:
• A thorough research of the target market
• Information regarding industry conditions, licensing and/or registration requirements for the business in Tasmania
• Realistic market opportunities, i.e. how to compete with other similar existing businesses in Tasmania

If you have experience in business management or prior business ownership, that will make your case stronger since there is a high chance that the business will become successful. The nature of the business and its long-term benefit to Tasmania are also taken into account when processing your case.

**Note: Franchise and share-owned business are not acceptable.

                Service stations, massage clinics and taxi/uber related businesses are also not accepted.