This is a worked case study for a Health and Welfare Services Manager NEC migrating to Australia under ANZSCO 134299. Three pathways are open: Subclass 190, Subclass 491, and Subclass 494. 189, 186 DE, and 482 are closed.
For visa-by-visa context, see the Health and Welfare Services Manager NEC pathway guide and the VETASSESS skills assessment guide.
The case profile
Anonymised composite based on real engagements.
- Candidate: 39, Bachelor of Health Administration + MBA, 13 years experience including 6 years as Practice Manager at a 12-clinician multi-specialty medical practice in South Africa
- Family: Spouse + two children under 18
- English: PTE 79+ across all bands
- Pathway A: 190 with NSW or VIC state nomination → PR direct
- Pathway B: 491 with regional state nomination → 191 PR after 3 years
- Pathway C: 494 with a regional aged-care or NDIS provider sponsor → 191 PR after 3 years
Pathway A — Subclass 190 (state-nominated PR)
Month-by-month timeline
Months 0-3: VETASSESS skills assessment lodged. Code-fit explanation included to address why 134299 rather than 134211 / 134213.
Months 3-6: Skills assessment outcome received. EOI lodged in SkillSelect with state nomination preferences.
Months 6-12: State nomination invitation received. Subclass 190 visa application lodged with family.
Months 12-18: 190 grant typically arrives 6-12 months from lodgement.
Total wall-clock time: 12 to 24 months from start to PR.
Fees (primary + spouse + 2 children)
| Item | AUD |
|---|---|
| VETASSESS skills assessment | 1,096 |
| 190 visa fees (family of 4) | 11,015 |
| State nomination fee (varies) | 200-800 |
| Health, police, English | 1,400 |
| Total applicant-side | ~13,711 - 14,311 |
No employer SAF levy.
Pathway B — Subclass 491 → 191
Fees (primary + spouse + 2 children)
| Item | AUD |
|---|---|
| VETASSESS skills assessment | 1,096 |
| 491 visa fees (family of 4) | 11,015 |
| State nomination fee (varies) | 200-800 |
| Health, police, English | 1,400 |
| 191 visa fees (family of 4) | 1,210 |
| Total applicant-side | ~14,921 - 15,521 |
Total wall-clock time: ~60 months end-to-end. No employer SAF levy.
Pathway C — Subclass 494 → 191
Fees (primary + spouse + 2 children)
| Item | AUD |
|---|---|
| VETASSESS skills assessment | 1,096 |
| 494 visa fees (family of 4) | 11,355 |
| Health, police, English | 1,400 |
| 191 visa fees (family of 4) | 1,210 |
| Total applicant-side | ~15,061 |
Employer SAF levy: AUD 5,000/year (large business) or AUD 1,200/year (small business / not-for-profit). Plus AUD 540 nomination fee.
Total wall-clock time: ~60 months end-to-end.
Side-by-side
| Path | Applicant cost | Employer cost | Wall-clock to PR | VETASSESS required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 190 (state-nominated) | AUD ~14,000 | AUD 0 | 12-24 months | Yes |
| 491 → 191 (regional) | AUD ~15,200 | AUD 0 | ~60 months | Yes |
| 494 → 191 (regional employer) | AUD ~15,061 | AUD 6,540-25,540 | ~60 months | Yes |
Things that frequently surprise people
Code fit is the #1 issue. Because 134299 is a residual NEC code, the most common rejection is VETASSESS suggesting your role really fits a specific code. Address this proactively by including a "why 134299" explanation in your application.
STSOL means no 189. 134299 is on STSOL only — 189 Independent is closed regardless of points. 186 Direct Entry and 482 are also closed.
NDIS and aged care are growth markets. NDIS-registered providers and aged-care providers face workforce shortages and actively sponsor service managers. State nomination programs prioritise these sectors in many jurisdictions.
Sector certifications matter. Aged Care credentialing, NDIS Worker Screening, Working with Children Check, and other sector-specific clearances are mandatory for working in respective services after arrival.
SAF levy is non-refundable. If the visa is refused or the employee leaves early, the employer cannot recover the SAF money.
Health examinations expire after 12 months. If your visa takes longer than 12 months to grant, expect to redo them.
Tax residency starts on arrival. The Australian tax year runs 1 July to 30 June. See ATO residency rules before signing.
MARA registration is mandatory for paid migration assistance. Verify any agent at the MARA register.
Tools
- Visa fee calculator — model your specific stream + dependants
- Document checklist — for the VETASSESS and visa stages
- ANZSCO search — confirm 134299 vs 134211 / 134212 / 134213 / 134214
- Eligibility wizard — quick scan of options
- Invitation rounds tracker — context only
Where to verify the numbers
Next step
Want to model the cost and timeline against your specific health / welfare service management track record and target region? Book a 30-minute free strategy call. We will confirm the right code (134299 or specific) and walk through your VETASSESS readiness.