QLD: The 491 Small Business Owner (SBO) Pathway is Now OPEN as at 11 December 2019

You need to lodge an EOI and then an online 491-SBO Assessment form and submit it back to us by clicking on the submit button.

The requirements are listed on the 491 – SBO website page.

No. You do, however, need an occupation on the relevant Home Affairs Instrument LIN 19/051.

Yes. You need a skills assessment in your nominated occupation which is listed on the relevant legislative instrument (LIN 19/051).

Yes. Even if you are from an exempt country (UK, Ireland, United States, Canada and New Zealand) you will still need to take an English test for points purposes.

No, this pathway is only available to onshore applicants only.

Yes, BSMQ does not select EOI’s that choose the option of Any.

Yes. You can use the extra 15 points from state/territory nomination towards the overall points.

4124 to 4125, 4133, 4183 to 4184, 4207 to 4275, 4280 to 4287, 4306 to 4498, 4507, 4517 to 4519, 4550 to 4575, 4580 to 4895.

Yes. You need to have been living in a regional area for at least 6 months prior to lodging an EOI.

No. However you still must be living in an area considered regional for Queensland (see postcodes above at “What regional areas can I operate my business?”).

Yes. You can prove this by providing business BAS statements.

You must purchase the business for a minimum of $100,000.

No. Your business does not need to be related to your nominated occupation, but you still must be able to show relevant business experience of a qualification to demonstrate you will be able to successfully run the business.

Please see further information

We will look at your business purchase contract of sale.

No, it must be an existing business. A start-up business is not an eligible business for this pathway.

No.

Yes, you need to employ a minimum of one Australian employee. They must be an Australian resident. They also need to be working a minimum of 20 hours a week. They cannot be a family member or a subcontractor.

No, it does not matter if the funds have come from offshore as long as you have purchased a business and you have been running it for 6 months before applying.

No, the person applying must be the one operating the business.

The current processing times is approximately 10 days from receipt of a completed application, unless otherwise stated. A complete application includes the processing fee, not just the documents.

You are given 14 days to submit your required documents to BSMQ. If you are unable to provide all your documents for processing within the 14 days, you need to contact your case officer and request an extension of time.

No, you have to upload document through the document portal link provided in the Invitation email. You can only upload one file per document option. If you want to upload multiple document’s then you will have to save the altogether as one file and upload together.

Yes.

You will need to provide the last two BAS statements.

You need to show payslips, PAYG statements and their passport/VEVO.

By answering the business experience question on the 491-SBO application form and providing a copy of any qualifications awarded and/or evidence of past business experience.

You need to have 100% ownership in the business. It cannot be a partnership or a joint venture.

No – you must have 100% ownership of the business. The business must entirely be in your name.