189 visa invitation round and 491 visa invitation round updates

Invitation rounds updates

 

Invitation rounds the following visas are expected to be run quarterly and are subject to change:

  • Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189); and
  • Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491)– Family Sponsored visas

 

Invitation numbers per round are expected fluctuate depending on the number of applications being processed by the Department.

 

Note: State or territory government nominations for Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) will not be impacted by the departmental invitation rounds.

 

The Government is closely monitoring migration and visa settings to ensure they are consistent with public health measures and does not impede on job opportunities for Australians. Therefore, skilled migration related visas have been used to only invite individuals in a select few professions, predominantly in the health and social services sector.

 

Invitation rounds have been ongoing since May 2020 to immediately address the workforce shortage in the public and private health sectors.

 

The Department will continue to run quarterly invitation rounds for the remainder of 2020-21 migration year, with the next invitation round being in April 2021.

 

189 invitation round 

 

Current round

Invitations issued on 21 January 2021

Visa subclass

Number

Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)

200

 

491 invitation round 

 

Current round

Invitations issued on 21 January 2021

Visa subclass

Number

Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) – Family Sponsored

163

 

189 visa (Skilled Independent visa) Invitation process and cut offs

 

The highest ranked applicants by points score are invited to apply for the relevant visa. For applicants who have equal points scores, the time at which they reached their points score for that subclass (referred to as the date of effect) determines their order of invitation. Expressions of Interest with earlier dates of effect are invited first.

 

Visa subclass

Minimum points score

Latest date of effect month

Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)

65

04/2020

 

491 visa (Skilled Independent visa) Invitation process and cut offs

Visa subclass

Minimum points score

Latest date of effect month

 

Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) – Family Sponsored)

65

11/2020

 

Skilled Visa Point scores and Cut off

 

Point scores and the dates of effect cut off for the pro rata occupations in the 21 January 2021 invitation round.

 

Due to high demand, the below occupation groups will be subject to pro rata arrangements to ensure availability of invitations across the program year.

Subclass

Occupation ID

Description

Minimum points score

Latest date of effect month

189/491

2211

Accountants

N/A

N/A

189/491

2212

Auditors, Company Secretaries and Corporate Treasurers

N/A

N/A

189/491

2334

Electronics Engineer

N/A

N/A

189/491

2335

Industrial, Mechanical and Production Engineers

N/A

N/A

189

2339

Other Engineering Professionals

95

10/2020

491

2339

Other Engineering Professionals

70

09/2020

189/491

2611

ICT Business and System Analysts

N/A

N/A

189/491

2613

Software and Applications Programmers

N/A

N/A

189/491

2631

Computer Network Professionals

N/A

N/A

 

SkillSelect first allocates available places to Skilled – Independent visas (subclass 189), and thereafter the remaining to Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) – Family Sponsored. If all places are taken up by subclass 189 visas, then there will be no invitations issued for subclass 491 visas in these occupations.

 

Invitations issued during 2020-21 program year

Visa subclass

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Total

Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)

500

110

350

30

 

 

200

 

 

 

 

 

1190

Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) – Family Sponsored

100

90

150

80

 

 

163

 

 

 

 

 

583

Total

600

200

500

110

 

 

363

 

 

 

 

 

1773

Note, the above figures are not inclusive of State and Territory Government nominated visas.

 

Need help with getting Australian Visas?

 

NO BORDERS: #1 TRUSTED MIGRATION AGENTS

Email: [email protected]

Tel:  +61 (07) 3876 4000

Consultation:  https://www.noborders-group.com/form/free-consultation

 

We will help you by exploring visa options and securing application. As part of our services, we will assess the eligibility of the application for a partner visa and help you to get out of the abusive relationship and provide you with detailed advice on your chances of success. If you would like to discuss your visa options and evaluate the pathway to permanent residency, please make an enquiry  or  book a consultation to get expert advice with one of our knowledgeable and experienced Migration Agents/Lawyers on 07 3876 4000 or email: [email protected]

Book a free consultation today and let us help you find a way forward.