OVERVIEW OF RECENT STATE AND TERRITORY VISA CHANGES
New South Wales
Nominations for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Subclass 491 made through NSW will now be nu invitation only. Consequently, a new nomination application process has been devised:
Submission availability periods for the 2021-22 financial year are the months of August, October, January and March only. You are only able to register your interest once during this period.
NSW will prioritise registrations of interest for stream 1 only (please refer to the chart below) where the applicant’s visa is expiring. Priority will be based on visa expiry date and with visas that are expiring within three months of the submission window opening.
NSW will select and invite candidates to apply to a Regional Development Australia (RDA) office during the submission period, and up to seven days after this period ends.
There are three nomination streams the 2021-22 financial year:
- Stream 1 — Living and working in Regional NSW
- Stream 2 — Recently completed study in Regional NSW
- Stream 3 — Skilled in an occupation required in Regional NSW
As referred to above priority is given to applicants registering their interest under stream 1.
Further information about the process for NSW State Nomination for the Subclass 491 visas and relevant skills lists is available on the NSW Business and Skilled Migration website, or by contacting our office.
Western Australia
WA State Nominations (s188 stream) for 2020-21 opened on 4 August 2021 for the following visa categories:
- 188A – Business Innovation
- 188B – Investor
- 188C – Significant Investor
Further information in relation to these categories is available on the WA Immigration website at, or by contacting our office.
Tasmania
Tasmania’s 2021-22 Skilled Migration Program has opened. There have only been minor changes from the previous year including:
- Tasmanian Graduates (Category 1) do not require employment to be nominated.
- Working in Tasmania (Category2) will require an occupation on the Tasmanian Skilled Occupation List, a skills assessment and only a minimum of three months’ work in a related position to be eligible for SC 491 nomination.
Migration Tasmania’s nomination priorities are:
- Candidates with employment and a skills assessment related to critical roles* (generally health, allied health, infrastructure engineering).
- Candidates with an employment and skills assessment related to the Tasmanian Skilled Occupation List.
- Candidates in other skilled employment (ANZSCO Skill Level 1-3) with a related skills assessment.
- New business owners providing substantial employment opportunities in Tasmania for local Australian citizens, permanent residents or provisional visa holders.
- All other eligible candidates with skills or training relevant to the needs of Tasmania and who are able to make a demonstratable and genuine contribution to Tasmania through skilled employment.
Further information on the Tasmanian Skilled Migration Program is available on the Migration Tasmania website, or by contacting our office.
Skills Select July 2021 Invitation Round
The Department of Home Affairs has recently released information about the 26th July SkillsSelect Invitation Round:
- 500 x Skilled Independent visa (Subclass 189) invitations were issued
- 250 x Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 491)Family Sponsored invitations were issued
Minimum points
- Skilled Independent Subclass 189 – 80 points
- Skilled Work Regional Subclass 491Family Sponsored – 65 points
These figures do not include invitations issued for State and Territory Government nominated visa or 188 Business stream subclasses.
This newsletter only provides general information related to current migration matters. The information contained in this communication does not constitute specific migration advice, and should not be construed or relied on as such. Professional advice should be sought for the specifics of your situation prior to any action being taken. BD Welsh and Co disclaims any liability (including, without limitation, for any direct or indirect or consequential costs, loss or damage or loss of profits) arising from anything done or omitted to be done by any party in reliance, whether wholly or partially, on any of the information contained in this newsletter. Any party that relies on the information does so at its own risk. Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.