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The Department of Home Affairs ('Home Affairs') has announced a new Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) to replace the current Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489).
The new subclass 491 visa ('491 visa') will commence on 16 November 2019, and the subclass 489 visa ('489 visa') will cease at 11.59 pm on 15 November 2019.
In order to support the transition from the 489 visa to the new 491 visa, WA Migration Services has established the below timeline to ensure adequate processing of applications. If you would like to receive WA State nomination under a 489 visa you will need to ensure you meet the dates outlined below.
During this time all WA State nomination applications under a 489 visa will be priority processed.
Note: The Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) is not affected by this change and WA Migration Services will continue to issue invitations and process applications under this subclass as per normal.
Timeline of Transitional arrangements
| 9 August 2019 | Invitations to apply for WA State nomination will be issued. This will be your last opportunity to be invited to apply for WA State nomination under a 489 visa. |
| 29 August 2019 | A decision ready application for WA State nomination under a 489 visa must be lodged. Any extra supporting evidence requested by WA Migration Services must also be submitted by this date. |
| 30 August 2019 | Invitation links to apply for WA State nomination under a 489 visa will expire. |
| 5 September 2019 | If your 489 WA State nomination application has been approved, your State Nomination Agreement must be signed and returned to WA Migration Services by this date. |
| 6 September 2019 | WA Migration Services will finalise all nominations for approved applications in SkillSelect. |
| 11 September 2019 | The 489 visa will no longer be an option available in SkillSelect. No new EOIs can be lodged under this visa subclass. |
| 15 November 2019 | Applicants will have until 11.59 pm to lodge a 489 visa application with Home Affairs. |
| 16 November 2019 | Candidates can commence lodging new EOIs in SkillSelect for the 491 visa option. |
| 21 November 2019 | Invitations to apply for WA State nomination under the new 491 visa will commence. |
If you wish to be invited for WA State nomination under a 489 visa in August
To be considered for an invitation for WA State nomination under a 489 visa you will need to ensure you have lodged an eligible EOI in SkillSelect. The August invitation round will be the last time WA Migration Services will issue invitations to eligible EOIs under a 489 visa. Invitations are anticipated to be issued by 9 August 2019.
To check your eligibility and find out more about the State nomination process, visit the 'How to apply for state nomination' section on our website.
If you receive an invitation to apply for WA State nomination under a 489 visa in the August invitation round
Invitation links to apply for WA State nomination under a 489 visa will expire on 30 August 2019. You will need to ensure you lodge a decision ready* application by 29 August 2019. If a decision ready application is not received by 29 August 2019, there will be limited opportunity for WA Migration Services to grant you an extension to provide any requested supporting evidence. This may also result in WA Migration Services not being able to finalise your application by 6 September 2019.
For more information about what classifies as a 'decision ready' application see 'Frequently asked question about State nomination'.