Australian Immigration Daily News

Latest data on the Department of Home Affairs website shows the minimum points cut off for 189 General Skilled Migration and 491 (Family Sponsored Migration) stands at 95 points with a total of just 100 invitations issued for both programmes.

Certain occupations are attracting higher points in order to score an invitation including

Accountants – 100 points

Industrial, Mechanical and Production Engineers 105 points

ICT Business and System Analysts 105 points

Other Engineering Professionals 105 points

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/working-in-australia/skillselect

Alternative options?

It is worthwhile exploring alternative options to General Skilled as well as Family sponsored migration.  Whilst this program contains additional nomination criteria (dependant on the State or Territory), the broader occupation list as well as ability by States and Territories to issue nominations on “as needed basis” makes this an attractive option.

The majority of the States and Territories have experienced a large increase in the number of nomination requests

The latest update from Victorian government is that it will continue to accept nominations for subclass 491 and 190 visas.  However, to facilitate faster processing applicants as well as migration agents are encouraged to ensure that their applications are fully documented and decision ready.

Victorian Eligibility Criteria – 491 Visa

Victoria welcomes nomination applications from people who meet the below eligibility criteria.

To receive a Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) nomination from Victoria, you will need to meet the following minimum eligibility requirements:

Age - You must be below age 45.

English language

You must have a Competent level of English (or equivalent).

All applicants must have an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of at least six in each band score or equivalent.  Alternative English language tests are accepted.  Applicants can obtain the IELTS equivalent in any of the following Department of Home Affairs’ accepted language tests: OET, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic and Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE).

You must upload a scanned copy of your English language test result as part of the online nomination application. Please ensure that your English test result is valid for at least 12 weeks at the time of submitting a visa nomination application.

Please note: If you are a citizen of the USA, UK, Canada, Republic of Ireland or New Zealand you are not required to submit English language test results. You must submit a copy of your passport bio page.

In addition to the above the applicant must demonstrate relevant employment and financial requirements listed on the website.  An applicant must also have a position skills assessment prior to submitting their nomination.

https://liveinmelbourne.vic.gov.au/migrate/skilled-migration-visas/491/_nocache

Occupation

To apply for Victorian nomination for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491) visa, your occupation must be listed on the Commonwealth’s skilled occupation lists. The skilled occupations lists reflect genuine skills needs in Australia and enable businesses to access the skills they need to grow if skilled Australian workers are not available.

If invited to apply, State Nominations take around 12 weeks to process. 

Next Steps in State Migration Planning

State Migration planning including Victoria will largely be determined by the outcome of the COVID19 pandemic. 

We expect further updates to be provided soon.  Agents who are interested in signing up to a Seminar featuring migration update from Victorian Government are able to do so by using this link: https://legaltrainingaustralia.com/online-seminars/

More update will be published as they arise.