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SKILLED MIGRATION TO AUSTRALIA, 189 AND 190 VISA

Australian Lawyers and Migration Agents - Skilled Migration Advice

Our Australian Immigration Lawyers and Registered Migration Agents are experienced and ethical. We can assist clients in our offices in Melbourne or Brisbane, Australia and in Hong Kong. In addition, our Australian qualified Lawyers can advise clients worldwide, with a fast and efficient Consultation by telephone or skype where they advise you about:

Visa eligibility assessment
Information about the visa process
Advice regarding the Migration Skills Asssessment application
Advice regarding supporting documents including: Qualification certificates, Work references and Identification
Advice regarding State or Territory Skilled Nomination
Advice regarding the Skilled Points Test score
Advice regarding how to sit an English language test and required score
Assistance in completion of Dept of Home Affairs Expression of Interest and Visa Application forms
Advice regarding how to apply for Police Clearance certificates
Preparation of Medical examination and Chest x ray referral letter and advice where to undergo health checks
Visa Processing time guidance
Information about the Government Visa Application fee and Migration Agent / Lawyers fees for complete visa application assistance

Contact VisaConnect's Australian Immigration Lawyers and Migration Agents in 2021 for advice and assistance with your Skilled Migration visa application!

Skilled Independent - 189 Visa

1. Nominate an occupation - listed on the Skills Occupation List, which is relevant to your education and employment background. Each occupation must have an ANZSCO Code, such as:

Accountant (General) - ANZSCO Code: 221111
Electrical Engineer - ANZSCO Code: 233311
Registered Nurse nec - ANZSCO Code: 254499

2. MLTSSL List - To be eligible for the 189 visa, the selected occupations must be listed on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).

3. Skills Assessment - Suitable skills assessment in that occupation confirming that their qualifications and recent work experience have been recognised by the Australian authority. Skills assessments authorities assess applicant's educational qualifications and work experience and if their skills are recognised, they determine that the applicant is 'suitable for migration'.

There are a wide range of Skills Assessment Authorities that cover different occupations. For example, Accountants and Auditors would be assessed by either:

CPA Australia
Institute of Public Accountants
Chartered Accountants Australia New Zealand

4. Expression of Interest (EOI) - apply for an Expression of Interest on the SkillSelect online service, which includes information about your Age, Qualifications, Skills Assessment, Work experience and a points score is calculated. No actual evidence is required, at this stage. The EOI is valid for 2 years.

5. Invitation - If you are invited to apply for skilled migration, you will receive an Invitation from SkillSelect. You will have 60 days to make your visa application.

6. Online Visa Application - Apply online by completing Forms, and providing evidence to support the claims made in your Expression of Interest. Usually, you will upload certified copies of Identity documents (passport, Birth certificates etc.), and any other relevant information.

7. Health examination - Undergo a medical examination, Chest x ray and blood tests with an Australian Panel Doctor, in your city and country.

8. Character requirements - Apply for Police Clearance certificates in every country you and your spouse have lived in for 12 months or more, in the last 10 years.

Points Test - Factors:

Age - Must be Aged between 18 - 44 years. Maximum points available are for ages between 25 - 32 years but less points are still available for other age ranges.
English Language Ability - Points are available depending on your English level, which is determine by sitting an English test, such as IELTS. This tests knowledge in: Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing. Levels of English ability are: Competent (IELTS 6.0) or Proficient (IELTS 7.0) or Superior (IELTS 8.0).
Qualifications - Points are awarded for qualifications, with the maximum points available for a Bachelors degree and Phd.
Skilled Employment - Points are awarded for work experience in your skilled occupation, based on duration of time in employment: 3, 5 or more than 8 years.
Australian Study - Points are available for a degree, diploma or trade qualification awarded by an Australian educational institution.

Occupation Ceilings for the 2020 - 2021 Program Year


Occupation ID	Description	Occupation Ceiling Value 2020-21
1331	Construction Managers	7,145
1332	Engineering Managers	1,474
1341	Child Care Centre Managers	1,000
1342	Health and Welfare Services Managers	1,666
1399	Other Specialist Managers	4,188
2111	Actors, Dancers and Other Entertainers	1,000
2112	Music Professionals	1,000
2121	Artistic Directors, and Media Producers and Presenters	1,000
2211	Accountants*	1,000
2212	Auditors, Company Secretaries and Corporate Treasurers*	1,619
2241	Actuaries, Mathematicians and Statisticians	1,000
2243	Economists	1,000
2245	Land Economists and Valuers	1,000
2247	Management consultant	4,526
2321	Architects and Landscape Architects	1,452
2322	Cartographers and Surveyors	1,000
2331	Chemical and Materials Engineers	1,000
2332	Civil Engineering Professionals	3,919
2333	Electrical Engineers	1,348
2334	Electronics Engineers*	1,000
2335	Industrial, Mechanical and Production Engineers*	2,682
2336	Mining Engineers	1,000
2339	Other Engineering Professionals*	1,000
2341	Agricultural and Forestry Scientists	1,000
2342	Chemists, and Food and Wine Scientists	1,000
2343	Environmental Scientists	1,295
2344	Geologists, Geophysicists and Hydrogeologists	1,000
2345	Life Scientists	1,000
2346	Medical Laboratory Scientists	1,536
2347	Veterinarians	1,000
2349	Other Natural and Physical Science Professionals	1,056
2411	Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teachers	3,321
2414	Secondary School Teachers	8,716
2415	Special Education Teachers	1,721
2421	University Lecturers and Tutors	5,042
2512	Medical Imaging Professionals	1,161
2514	Optometrists and Orthoptists	1,000
2519	Other Health Diagnostic and Promotion Professionals	1,000
2521	Chiropractors and Osteopaths	1,000
2524	Occupational Therapists	1,461
2525	Physiotherapists	1,685
2526	Podiatrists	1,000
2527	Speech Professionals and Audiologists	1,000
2531	General Practitioners and Resident Medical officers	4,257
2533	Internal Medicine Specialists	1,000
2534	Psychiatrists	1,000
2535	Surgeons	1,000
2539	Other Medical Practitioners	1,168
2541	Midwives	1,333
2544	Registered Nurses	17,859
2611	ICT Business and Systems Analysts*	2,273
2612	Multimedia Specialists and Web Developers	1,000
2613	Software and Applications Programmers*	8,405
2621	Database and Systems Administrators and ICT Security Specialists	2,667
2631	Computer Network Professionals*	2,245
2633	Telecommunications Engineering Professionals	1,000
2711	Barristers	1,000
2713	Solicitors	4,535
2723	Psychologists	1,545
2725	Social Workers	1,862
3122	Civil Engineering Draftspersons and Technicians	1,000
3123	Electrical Engineering Draftspersons and Technicians	1,000
3132	Telecommunications Technical Specialists	1,000
3211	Automotive Electricians	1,000
3212	Motor Mechanics	5,205
3222	Sheetmetal Trades Workers	1,000
3223	Structural Steel and Welding Trades Workers	4,866
3232	Metal Fitters and Machinists	6,335
3233	Precision Metal Trades Workers	1,000
3241	Panelbeaters	1,000
3311	Bricklayers and Stonemasons	1,712
3312	Carpenters and Joiners	6,812
3322	Painting Trades Workers	3,303
3331	Glaziers	1,000
3332	Plasterers	1,452
3334	Wall and Floor Tilers	1,000
3341	Plumbers	5,861
3411	Electricians	8,021
3421	Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanics	1,581
3422	Electrical Distribution Trades Workers	1,000
3423	Electronics Trades Workers	2,047
3513	Chefs	2,256
3611	Animal Attendants and Trainers	1,239
3941	Cabinetmakers	1,694
3991	Boat Builders and Shipwrights	1,000
4523	Sports Coaches, Instructors and Officials	1,262
4524	Sportspersons	1,000

*Occupations that are subject to pro rata arrangements. For Accountants (2211) the occupational ceiling also re-selects volumes in other skilled visa categories.

The Priority Migration Skilled Occupations List

As at 22 March 2021, there are 18 Occupations (ANZSCO Code) on the Priority Migration Skilled Occupations List:

Chief Executive or Managing Director (111111)
Construction Project Manager (133111)
Mechanical Engineer (233512)
General Practitioners (253111)
Resident Medical Officer (253112)
Psychiatrist (253411)
Medical Practitioner nec (253999)
Midwife (254111)
Registered Nurse (Aged Care) (254412)
Registered Nurse (Critical Care & Emergency) (254415)
Registered Nurse (Medical) (254418)
Registered Nurse (Mental Health) (254422)
Registered Nurse (Perioperative) (254423)
Registered Nurses nec (254499)
Developer Programmer (261312)
Software Engineer (261313)
Social Worker (272511)
Maintenance Planner (312911)

Skilled Nominated - 190 Visa

Meet all the visa eligibility requirements for the Skilled Independent visa, as stated above.
To be eligible for the 190 visa, the selected occupations must be listed on the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL).
Nomination by an Australian state or territory government agency, and your occupation must be listed on the State/Territory government Skills Occupation List.
Comply with residential conditions that are specified by the relevant state or territory government in the nomination.

State Nomination - 190 and 491 Skilled Visas

See below the Visa Nomination Program for each State and Territory of Australia for 2020/21:

1. Victoria - The full 2020-21 Victorian skilled visa nomination program (subclass 190 and 491) opened on Tuesday 5 January 2021. The full program responds to challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic, with a focus on Victoria’s health response or economic recovery. Applicant's must register their interest on the 'Live in Melbourne' website and be selected to apply for Victorian visa nomination.

2. NSW - Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect, selecting either ‘NSW’ or ‘Any’ as your desired state. You do not need to contact the NSW Government after you have submitted your EOI. You will only receive correspondence from NSW if you are invited to apply. Due to the large number of candidates in the selection pool, and the limited number of places available to the NSW Government, the selection process is extremely competitive. The vast majority of candidates will not be invited to apply for NSW 190 nomination.

3. Queensland - The Skilled Nominated 190 Visa is a is a point-tested visa for skilled workers and postgraduate alumni who wish to live and work in Queensland permanently. The Queensland postgraduate degree stream offers streamlined conditions for Masters and PhD graduates from a Queensland-based university. The Skilled Work Regional, 491 Visa is a 5-year points-tested visa which leads to permanent residency and requires nominated skilled workers to be employed and live in regional Queensland.

4. Western Australia - Applicant's can be Nominated for the 190 (receive an extra 5 points) or 491 Skilled Visa (receive an extra 15 points). If you are nominated, or if your visa is approved you must: A. Comply with border rules that apply at the time, if you are moving to WA from another State or Territory; B. Register your arrival with WA Migration Services; C. Have access to sufficient funds (for at least three months) to cover settlement costs and living costs; D. Live and work in Western Australia for two years upon arrival; and E. Complete a settlement survey every six months for this two year period.

5. South Australia - To apply for the 190 or 491 Visa, you must have a nomination from the Government of South Australia and meet all nomination requirements, as well as the Department of Home Affairs eligibility criteria. State nomination is provided to meet the State’s skills needs and is granted based on the applicant’s genuine interest and intention to live and work in South Australia. In submitting your application you are indicating that you intend to live and work in South Australia with a view to long-term settlement.

6. Tasmania - If you are nominated by the Tasmanian Government for the 491 or 190 visa, you must live in Tasmania for two years after the visa has been granted. You may be eligible to apply for permanent residency through the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa after you have lived in Tasmania for at least three years and earned a minimum taxable income that meets the minimum threshold determined by the Department of Home Affairs for at least 3 years (currently set at AU$53,900).

7. ACT - Under the ACT Migration Agreement, the ACT is allocated a fixed number of nominations each year. The Australian Government has directed that the nominations provided to states and territories are to focus on applicants critical to supporting the COVID-19 response. This includes individuals providing critical or specialist medical services, those with critical skills required to maintain the supply of essential goods and services, and people who deliver services in sectors critical to Australia’s economic recovery.

8. Northern Territory - A condition of NT Government nomination is that you agree to work, live and settle for at least three years in the NT after your visa has been granted. The NT Government will consider your employment prospects in the NT and whether they meet the needs of NT industries when making a decision to offer you a nomination.

State/Territory Nomination - in 2021

See below the Status of appliactions for State/Territory Nomination, as at February 2021:

VICTORIA - OPEN - Make an EOI, then submit a Registration of Interest for Victorian State Nomination

QUEENSLAND - CLOSED - The 190 and 491 Visa pathway is currently closed and will re-open again in April 2021.

NSW - OPEN - From February 2021, Regional Development Australia (RDA) offices will assist NSW Treasury to manage the subclass 491 visa.

WA - OPEN - If your application for State nomination is approved, you will be nominated by WA Migration Services in SkillSelect and automatically invited to apply for the Subclass 491 visa by the Department of Home Affairs.

SA - OPEN - Both 190 and 491 visa nominations are subject to a limited quota each program year. South Australia reserves the right to revise nomination eligibility requirements for these visa subclasses without notice.

TASMANIA - OPEN

ACT - OPEN - Separate invitation rounds will be held for the 491 and 190 nomination streams. The highest ranked candidates in each stream will be invited to apply for ACT nomination. An invitation may not be issued if an occupation cap is met or the annual allocation of nomination places is met.

NT - OPEN FOR ONSHORE APPLICATIONS ONLY - Onshore applications for Northern Territory nomination under the General Skilled Migration program can now be lodged through the online application system. Offshore applications remain closed while the national border restrictions stay in place.

Skilled Regional Visas - Introduced in November 2019

Two new skilled regional provisional visas were introduced in November 2019:

Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) 494 visa - for people sponsored by an employer in regional Australia

Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) 491 visa - for people who are nominated by a State or Territory government or sponsored by an eligible family member to live and work in regional Australia

Holders of the new skilled regional provisional visas will need to live and work in regional Australia. Visas will be granted with a validity period of up to five years.

Holders of the new skilled regional provisional visas will be able to apply for a Permanent Residence visa. The Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa will commence in November 2022.

To be eligible for permanent residence, holders of the new skilled regional provisional visas will need to demonstrate they have lived and worked in regional Australia while holding one of the new Skilled Regional Provisional visa.

Benefits of the New Skilled Regional, Subclass 491 and 494 Visas

Regional employers will have access to additional regional occupations to sponsor migrants and priority processing of regional visa applications. There will also be additional points for certain points-tested migrants who are sponsored to settle in regional Australia.

Employers in regional Australia, as well as State and Territory governments, who sponsor regional skilled migrants will have access to more occupations than equivalent non-regional visas.

Based on current occupation lists, the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa will have access to over 450 more occupations than closest non-regional equivalent visa, and the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa will have access to over 70 more occupations than the closest non-regional equivalent visa.

Priority processing arrangements will be expanded to include all visa applications sponsored by regional employers as well as other visa applicants who will live and work in regional Australia.

Five additional points for regional nomination or sponsorship provide an extra incentive for potential migrants to consider settling in regional Australia.

Regional Areas - Applicable to 491 and 494 Visas

The following are a list of Cities and major Regional centres that are defined as a 'Regional Area':

Perth
Adelaide
Gold Coast
Sunshine Coast
Canberra
Newcastle
Lake Macquarie
Wollongong
Illawara
Geelong
Hobart

Note the following Regional Incentives for Applicants living in Regional Areas:

1. Access to the dedicated 25,000 regional places.

2. Priority processing oin Regional visas.

3. Access to Regional Occupations Lists - which provides more jobs compared to non-regional lists.

4. International students studying at Regional Universities will be eligible to access an additional year in Australia on a Post-Study Work visa.

Subclass 191, Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa

Applicants who have held a 491 or 494 visa, can apply for permanent residence, from 16 November 2022, if they meet the following eligibility criteria:

New Subclass 191 (Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa is for applicants who hold a Subclass 491 or a Subclass 494 visa at the time of application; and

Hold a Regional Provisional visa when they apply for the Subclass 191 visa, and have held that visa for at least three years;

Have earned a minimum income for at least three years as the holder of a regional provisional visa; and

Have complied with the conditions of the regional provisional visa 3 years minimum living in Regional Areas.

Skilled Recognition Graduate - 476 Visa

1. This is a temporary visa, but is a route to applying for permanent residence, with a skilled visa.

2. Engineering Graduates - This visa allows recent engineering graduates of eligible universities to gain up to 18 months of skilled work experience in their occupation.

3. Age - Must be younger than 31 years of age.

4. Engineering Qualification - Completed one of the following eligible engineering qualifications, in the past 2 years:

Bachelors degree
Masters degree
Doctoral degree
Post Graduate diploma

5. Major Sequence of Study - The qualification must contain a major sequence of study or specialisation in Engineering, including: Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Structural Engineering, Mechanical Engineering etc.) from a recognised institution.

6. English language Ability - IELTS Score of at least 6.0, but you are exempt from sitting the English test if you are a citizen and holding a passport of the UK, Canada, NZ or the US.