This Week in Australian Migration

Migration Weekly

I. Victoria Fires the First 2023 State Nomination Shot

II. Latest Subclass 189 Lodgement Data — Strong Invitation Acceptance Rate? Will Grants Slow Down?

III. Canberra’s Last Round by Occupation + Tasmania Resumes Invitations

IV. MIA Recommends Raising PR Quota to 230,000!

V. Weekly Grants, Invitations, Skills Assessment & Citizenship Processing Summary

I. Victoria Fires the First 2023 State Nomination Shot

Victoria issued its first round of invitations for 2023 on 5 January, becoming the first state to release pre-invitations in the new year. After being upstaged by Subclass 189, NSW and even WA at the end of last year, Victoria is clearly stepping up.The number of invitations issued this round is noticeably larger than previous rounds:

–Accountants received a large number of invitations, including offshore applicants，Most invitations went to applicants with a base score of 85 or above(a small number were below this threshold) — the state government favours applicants with higher scores or longer work experience

–Popular IT occupations mostly invited at 90+,the work and work-experience requirements for IT are less competitive than for accounting

–Various engineering occupations also received invitations — civil, materials, chemical, electronics/electrical, engineering technologists and more — at comparatively lower score thresholds

–Offshore invitations increased noticeably in this round,spanning multiple occupations — our clients includefinancial/investment advisers, marketing specialists, accountants (base 85), private tutors, and engineering technicianswho received invitations!

In addition,auditors (base 85), architects (base 85), and quantity surveyors (base 90) received invitations.Many healthcare, nursing, teaching and social work occupations were also invited — some at as low as 65 points, with certain applicants receiving invitations with no Australian work experience at all.

For full data, read:Australia Skilled Migration: Victoria’s New Year Invitation Round — Accountants, IT, Engineering, Finance & Marketing Invited!

In the follow-up “consolation email” sent to waiting applicants, the Victorian government notedthat over 5,000 Subclass 491 and 190 nominations had been issued to date. Victoria’s total allocation is 14,900 (11,500 + 3,400). Even accounting for applicants who have received an ROI invitation and are awaiting nomination assessment, utilisation is likely still below 50%,With the financial year now past the halfway point, Victoria — which holds the largest allocation and has been consistently issuing invitations — still has significant quota remaining. Opportunities abound, and score thresholds and eligible occupations may ease further!

Victoria Subclass 190 Requirements

– All skilled occupations accepted, provided you have a positive skills assessment

– EOI score of at least 65 points

– English proficiency of at least 6 in each IELTS band

– No mandatory work requirement (though longer experience or Australian work experience gives a significant advantage for in-demand occupations)

– Onshore applicants must reside in Victoria (no minimum duration required)

Victoria’s requirements are essentially at the minimum threshold level — it’s well worth applying, especially for offshore applicants. Contact our consultants below for an eligibility assessment:

II. Latest Subclass 189 Lodgement Data — Strong Invitation Acceptance Rate? Will Grants Slow Down?

We have just received the 2022August–October Subclass 189 lodgement data. Multiple invitation rounds with tens of thousands of invitations had already been issued during that period, making this an ideal window to examine the invitation acceptance rate.

The data above shows:

– Will Subclass 189 grant processing slow towards the end of this financial year?

New lodgements from August to October reached 17,552,with a prior-year backlog of approximately 13,000 (mostly New Zealand Stream). New lodgements plus backlog exceeds 30,000 applications — and with the large December invitation round, lodgements are growing rapidly. The full-year grant quota is 32,100.Subclass 189 grants are continuing, but as the grant quota is gradually exhausted, processing speeds may slow towards year-end due to limited remaining allocation.

– This does not mean Subclass 189 will stop issuing invitations

Invitation issuance is not directly tied to the grant quota. Lodgements from invitations issued this financial year can draw on this year’s, next year’s, or even the year after’s allocation. The Department of Home Affairs has said 189 invitations this year will be demand-driven — it remains to be seen whether the department identifies new demand going forward.

– Invitation acceptance rate is not low

Two rounds of Subclass 189 invitations were issued in August and October, totalling 24,182. New lodgements reached 17,572. After subtracting New Zealand Stream applications (which are not invitation-based) and accounting for the fact that one invitation typically corresponds to two visa lodgements (primary plus secondary applicant 1:1),the estimated acceptance rate for Subclass 189 invitations may be around 30%–40%.

III. Canberra’s Last Round by Occupation + Tasmania Resumes Invitations

Canberra has released updated occupation-level invitation data for the 22 December round,which shows 171 Subclass 190 and 64 Subclass 491 invitations issued through the onshore general stream,a reversal from earlier rounds where 491 outnumbered 190. The business stream issued 7 Subclass 190 invitations at a minimum of just 85 points; the offshore stream issued 81 Subclass 190 and 231 Subclass 491.

Due to a substantial backlog of high-scoring applicants, this round did not see significant score reductions for in-demand occupations,with accounting (Subclass 190) still at 130 points, popular IT occupations still requiring 100+, engineering slightly lower at 85–95, and other common occupations ranging from 70–90.

We hope the state government continues to increase invitation volumes. If you would like an assessment or further information, please contact our team below.

The Tasmanian governmenthas also begun issuing pre-invitations, confirming it is back in operation. See the data summary below for details.

IV. MIA Recommends Raising PR Quota to 230,000!

The Migration Institute of Australia (MIA) submitted a 54-page reform proposal at the end of 2022 outlining 30 recommendations covering a wide range of migration topics. The proposals take a practical, implementation-focused perspective with applicant interests in mind. Key highlights include:
– Permanent migration quota to continue increasing to 230,000 over the coming years

– Streamline the occupation list by using skill groups; visa eligibility determined by skill level — e.g. Skill Levels 1–3 for Subclass 189/190, Levels 1–4 for Subclass 491/employer-sponsored

– Expand the number of skills assessing authorities to foster competition while maintaining consistent assessment standards

– If TSMIT ($53,900) is to be increased, abandon the single national TSMIT and instead use occupation- and location-specific annual market salary rates, with concessions for regional areas

– Abolish Subclass 494 and create a regional category within the Subclass 482 Skills in Demand visa instead

The MIA’s recommendations focus primarily on practical implementation and take applicant interests into account.For more recommendations and detailed analysis, read:MIA’s 30 Migration Reform Recommendations! “Quota to 230,000” “Skill Level Determines PR Pathway” “More Assessing Authorities”…

V. Weekly Grants, Invitations, Skills Assessment & Citizenship Processing Summary

A recent summary of Newstars clients’ visa grants and invitations: press and hold the image below to view — the page is updated continuously, so we highly recommend saving it!

State Nomination & GTI Invitation Data

ACT State Nomination

None this week

Victoria State Nomination

Formal Nomination

None this week

Tasmania State Nomination

EOI and ROI lodged 20 Nov 2022; pre-invitation received 4 Jan 2023; formal TAS 190 invitation received 22 Nov 2022. Chef – 351311, 60+5

EOI and ROI lodged 16 Dec 2022; TAS 190 pre-invitation received 4 Jan 2022. Accountant (General) – 221111, 70+5

EOI and ROI lodged 16 Dec 2022; TAS 190 pre-invitation received 4 Jan 2022. ICT Business Analyst – 261111, 70+5

EOI and ROI lodged 21 Dec 2022; TAS 491 pre-invitation received 4 Jan 2022. Translator – 272413, 55+15

EOI and ROI lodged 16 Dec 2022; TAS 491 pre-invitation received 4 Jan 2022. Accountant (General) – 221111, 70+15

NSW State Nomination

None this week

SA State Nomination

Queensland State Nomination

None this week

WA State Nomination

EOI lodged 6 Dec 2022; WA 190 pre-invitation received 5 Jan 2023. Chef – 351311, 60+5

NT State Nomination

None this week

Business/Investor Migration Invitations

None this week

This Week’s Grant Progress and Analysis

Subclass 189 Skilled Independent

Applied 6 Sep 2022; granted 4 Jan 2023. Occupation: Secondary School Teacher. With secondary applicant.

Lodged 5 Oct 2022; granted 4 Jan 2023 (onshore).

Lodged 16 Nov 2018; granted 5 Jan 2023 (offshore).

Subclass 190 State-Nominated Skilled

Applied 25 May 2021; granted 5 Jan 2023. Occupation: Architect.

Lodged 21 Jul 2021 (190); granted Jan 2023 – Program or Project Administrator. Lodged May 2022 (190); granted Jan 2023 – Social Worker.

Lodged 23 Dec 2021; granted 6 Jan 2023 (offshore).

Lodged: 01/07/2020 Granted: 06/01/2023, MINT 190 Occupation: Software Engineer Location: Offshore

Lodged: 31/12/2021 Granted: 29/12/2022, MINT 190 Occupation: Customer Service Manager, offshore

Subclass 491 (new regional) / Subclass 489 (old regional) Sponsored Visa

Applied 15 Jul 2022; granted 3 Jan 2023. Occupation: Music Teacher (Private Tuition).

Applied 7 Jul 2021; granted 3 Jan 2023. Occupation: Fashion Designer. With secondary applicant.

Subclass 887 Skilled Regional Visa

None this week

Employer-Sponsored Migration

Sponsorship application lodged 15 Dec 2022; approved 5 Jan 2023.

Subclass 186 nomination application lodged 21 Jan 2022; approved 4 Jan 2023 (Quantity Surveyor).

Business/Investor Migration / GTI

None this week

Subclass 600 Visitor Visa

Lodged 3 Jan 2022; granted 4 Jan 2023.

Subclass 500 Student Visa

Lodged 23 Dec 2022; granted 3 Jan 2023.

Lodged 12 Dec 2022; granted 3 Jan 2023 (offshore).

Lodged 23 Dec 2022; granted 4 Jan 2023 (onshore).

Lodged 20 May 2022; granted 5 Jan 2023 (offshore).

Lodged 22 Dec 2022; granted 6 Jan 2023 (offshore).

Subclass 485 Graduate Work Visa

Lodged 15 Jul 2022; granted 2 Jan 2023.

Lodged 20 Dec 2022; granted 3 Jan 2023.

Lodged 24 Jun 2022; granted 4 Jan 2023.

Lodged 21 Dec 2022; granted 4 Jan 2023.

Lodged 3 Nov 2022; granted 4 Jan 2023.

Lodged 24 Apr 2022; granted 6 Jan 2023.

Lodged 13 Jul 2022; granted 2 Jan 2023.

Lodged 28 Jul 2022; granted 2 Jan 2023.

Lodged 29 Jul 2022; granted 2 Jan 2023.

Lodged 21 Dec 2022; granted 4 Jan 2023 (onshore).

Lodged 16 Dec 2022; granted 4 Jan 2023 (offshore).

Partner Migration

Subclass 820/801 lodged 16 Sep 2022; Subclass 820 granted 4 Jan 2023.

Parent Migration / Visa

Subclass 143 parent migration application lodged Sep 2016; visa granted 4 Jan 2023.

Subclass 143 parent migration application lodged Nov 2016; visa granted 4 Jan 2023.

Subclass 870 parent sponsorship lodged Nov 2022; approved Jan 2023.

Subclass 143 lodged 29 Nov 2016; granted 4 Jan 2023.

Subclass 155 Resident Return Visa

Lodged 24 Nov 2022; granted 2 Jan 2023.

Lodged 14 Oct 2022; granted 5 Jan 2023.

Subclass 408 Temporary Activity Visa

Lodged 25 Nov 2021; granted 3 Nov 2023 (with secondary applicant).

Lodged 23 Dec 2022; granted 4 Jan 2023.

Lodged 26 Sep 2022; granted 4 Jan 2023.

Lodged 8 Oct 2021; granted 6 Jan 2023.

Lodged 12 Jul 2022; granted 5 Jan 2023.

Lodged 27 Dec 2022; granted 3 Jan 2023.

Lodged 4 Jan 2023; granted 4 Jan 2023.

Lodged 28 Jul 2022; granted 6 Jan 2023.

Lodged 9 Apr 2022; granted 6 Jan 2023.

Citizenship Applications

None this week

Skills Assessment Processing Progress This Week

None this week

Past Recommended Articles —Click the image to read

Victoria’s New Year Invitations: Accountants, IT & Engineering Invited!

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2022 Australia Skilled Migration Review | A Historic Year Together!

MIA’s 30 Major Migration Reform Recommendations!

Migration News Community

2022

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