Latest Updates on Skilled Independent and Skilled Work Regional Visas - What You Need to Know

The Australian migration program undergoes periodic updates and invitation rounds for various skilled visas. In this article, we will delve into the recent migration update, particularly focusing on the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) and Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) – Family Sponsored. These visas are in high demand among skilled migrants seeking to establish their lives and careers in Australia.

Overview of Invitation Rounds:

The invitation rounds for the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) and Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) – Family Sponsored visas are conducted cyclically throughout the program year. The number of invitations issued in each round may vary depending on the volume of applications being processed by the Department. It's important to note that state or territory government nominations for skilled visas remain unaffected by these departmental invitation rounds.

Occupation Ceilings:

To maintain a balanced skilled migration program and ensure a fair distribution of skilled migrants across various occupations, an "occupation ceiling" is applied to invitations issued under independent and skilled regional (provisional) visas. This ceiling sets a reasonable upper limit on the number of Expressions of Interest that can be invited for skilled migration from a particular occupation group. The occupation ceiling values are determined based on a percentage of stock employment figures provided by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Occupation ceilings, however, do not apply to State or Territory Nominated or Business Innovation and Investment visa subclasses. This exemption ensures that the migration program accommodates a diverse range of skilled migrants.

Current Round May 25^th, 2023:

The most recent SkillSelect invitation round was conducted on 25 May 2023, and the number of invitations issued for each visa subclass is as follows:

• Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189): 7,353 invitations
• Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) – Family Sponsored: 74 invitations

Invitation Process and Cut-Offs:

Individuals with the highest points scores are invited to apply for the relevant visa in the invitation process. In cases where multiple candidates have equal points scores, the date at which they reached their points score (known as the date of effect) determines their order of invitation. Expressions of Interest with earlier dates of effect are prioritized over those with later dates.

For the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189), the minimum points score required in the latest round was 65, with a cut-off date of May 2023. Similarly, for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) – Family-Sponsored, the minimum points score was 65, with a cut-off date of April 2023.

Occupations Included in the 25 May 2023 Invitation Round:

*The outcomes might suggest that there were either no eligible candidates to be invited or candidates who did not meet the criteria to receive an invitation.

** The SkillSelect system recorded the onshore/offshore location specified at the time the invitations were sent.

For more information about the invitation issued by the Australian Department of Home Affairs please visit this link.

Conclusion:

Navigating the Australian migration process, particularly when it comes to skilled visas, requires a deep understanding of the ever-changing regulations and procedures. For assistance in lodging expressions of interest for the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) and support with the application process for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491), you can rely on the expertise of NB Migration Law, our expert team can guide you through the complexities and help you achieve your migration goals.