For those of us who are familiar with the subclass 189/489 visa programme, 11th day of each month marks a significant milestone as invitations are sent to potential applicants, giving an opportunity to lodge an application for a subclass 189/489 visa.

Contrary to popular beliefs, invitations are auto-generated with no manual intervention (a hint lies in the fact that invitations are generally received during odd hours of the night!).  To those who received their invitation earlier this week, a big congratulations and all the best with your visa application.  To those who are yet to receive an invitation, let’s look at what we can do to improve your chances of receiving an invitation on the 11th of January.

When exploring independent skilled migration, I use the method called the “control test”.  This means, looking at your points and categories where these points are placed then subsequently determining whether the category is something that you can or cannot control.  To give you a clearer example, our age is something that we cannot control therefore our points will naturally go up or down depending on where we are placed in the biological timeline.  Once we eliminate the categories that cannot control, we can start focusing on categories which are within our control.

The good news is that most of the categories which allow you to score points sit on the positive spectrum of the control test, meaning that you do have control over how many points you get to maximise your chances of receiving an invitation.

English:

The obvious category in General Skilled Migration is English.  Specifically, getting superior results in an English language test. To score superior results, you will need the following test scores:

  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS) - At least 8 for each of the 4 test components
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT) - At least 28 for listening, 29 for reading, 30 for writing and 26 for speaking
  • Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) - At least 79 for each of the 4 test components
  • Occupational English Test (OET) - At least A for each of the 4 test components
  • Cambridge C1 Advanced test - At least 200 in each of the 4 test components

My clients often ask which test is “easier” to undertake, the answer depends on your personality.  Our brain works in different ways to one another, some of us are visual learners, some are methodical.  Therefore, my advice is complete the practice questions for each test and determine which test the right test for you.

The difference between scoring proficient and superior English is ten points which could place you in an ultimate advantage of receiving an invitation.

Employment:

This is another factor which is within your control.  Are you currently working in your nominated occupation?  Having a mere one year of employment experience in Australia will get you five points.  Again, by studying the trends of those who are receiving invitations, your chances of receiving an invitation are doubled if your point score is 80 compared to someone who is sitting on 75 points.

Further study:

Another avenue to increase your points is to undertake further study in Australia.  Keeping in mind the Genuine Temporary Entrant Criteria if you are on a student visa, you may receive additional points for undertaking studies in Australia.

When applying for the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189), the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190), the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) or the Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489), you must have completed either:

  • a single qualification that requires at least 2 academic years study, or
  • more than 1 qualification that results in a total of at least 2 academic years study

You must have completed your study in Australia in a total of no less than 16 calendar months, while you held a visa authorising you to study.

Your course, or courses, must be on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS) and instruction must be completed in English.

Are you willing to move states?

Each state and territory manage their own occupation lists according to the needs of that state. If you are willing to move states or haven’t checked whether your occupation is on the list for the state you are currently residing in, now is a perfect opportunity to do so.  Your skill select can easily be amended to include subclass 190 (state nominated visa).  I suggest familiarising yourself with requirements for the state of interest as the requirements do vary significantly between each state.

What to expect on 11 January 2019

Unfortunately, no further invitations will be issued this year.  The next invitation round will take place on 11 January 2019.  As mentioned earlier in the article, you may wake up and find an email (auto generated at random time in early hours of the morning) confirming your invitation to apply for General Skilled Visa.

The trend of issuing approximately 2500 invitations is set to continue with approximately 2490 places allocated to subclass 189 visas and remaining to subclass 489.

Checklist for 2019:

  • work out what is in your control and what is outside your control for receiving an invitation
  • place all focus on factors that are in your control (e.g. employment, English, applying for state nomination)
  • don’t get hung up on misinformation regarding how the invitations are generated, they are generated with no manual intervention, there is no magic formula.