The FY23-24 state-nomination allocations are in, and state governments have now received their new official quotas. Every state has seen its allocation slashed dramatically — down to roughly 30% of previous levels.So how should we respond proactively to the tightening of policy quotas we now face?

History tends to repeat itself in striking ways. During the pandemic years of 2020–22,offshore skilled migration was largely shut down, and most offshore applicants felt they had nowhere to turn and adopted a wait-and-see approach.

But there are always more solutions than obstacles — and opportunity favours those who are prepared.

Today we share the invitation story of our client, DU.

While the offshore pathway was closed during the pandemic, DU got everything ready. When policy settings turned favourable last financial year, DU secured a NSW Subclass 190 invitation in under a month.

2020

Begins preparing the skills assessment and English

Back in 2020, DU contacted us wanting to lodge an offshore skilled migration application.We advised getting the skills assessment and English results ready in advance,so that the moment offshore skilled migration officially reopened, DU could lodge straight away. DU followed our advice closely, worked hard on the skills assessment and English, and obtained both the assessment letter and the English results smoothly.

14 September 2020: Skills assessment letter received —the nominated occupation was 511112 Program or Project Administrator.

21 September 2020: PTE English results received

Under the EOI points table, this earned points equivalent to 7 across all four IELTS bands.

2021–22

Waiting patiently while keeping a close watch

After obtaining the skills assessment letter and the English results, DU entered the long winter of offshore skilled migration across FY2020–21 and FY2021–22,and throughout this period the applicant stayed in active contact with us about lodgement strategy, determined not to miss a single opportunity.Unfortunately, during this winter the thresholds each state set for lodgement were so high that applicants simply could not lodge an EOI.

2023

The door of opportunity opens — a swift invitation

20 March 2023: NSW Subclass 190 EOI lodged — score 75+5 (with state-nomination points)

5 April 2023: Invited for NSW Subclass 190 — invitation score 75+5 (with state-nomination points)

12 April 2023: NSW Subclass 190 nomination approved

DU has now lodged the Subclass 190 visa application and completed the medical examination,and while we await the visa grant,we look forward to sharing DU’s good news once the visa is granted!

In DU’s case, the offshore skilled migration journey stretched almost three years, with two of those years caught entirely in the offshore migration winter — a time when there seemed scarcely a glimmer of hope. Yet once she had weathered that winter, spring arrived, and even she was surprised by how quickly the invitation and nomination approval followed.

The “cold snap” is only temporary

Given that the budget overall provides ample allocations, we prefer to view this round of quota cuts as nothing more than a brief “cold snap”,and we believe there is every chance Australian skilled migration will return to normal in the future.

Since some applicants have already made it through the “winter” — going straight to permanent residency with a swift invitation —we are confident everyone can ride out this “cold snap” too.

A few tips for those preparing their skilled migration documents during this “cold snap”:

1. Prepare your skills assessment (there is currently a serious backlog, and processing times are generally longer than the official estimates)
2. Prepare your English results, and feel free to re-sit to lift your score (IELTS or PTE)
3. The CCL test (once your English results are sorted, it is well worth sitting the CCL)

Catch up on past articles

The FY23-24 state-nomination allocations are all in! Will this financial year be any better?

In truth, many people overlook the most expensive hidden cost on the migration journey: time.

This programme means no more agonising wait for quotas year after year. No points race, low English requirements, and fast processing for all occupations!

Migration News Group

2023

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Recommended in 2023

Where there’s risk, there’s opportunity — and opportunity only goes to the prepared applicant! See how, after three years of “quietly getting ready”, she landed an invitation and secured her future overnight.

The FY23-24 state-nomination allocations are all in! Will this financial year be any better?

In truth, many people overlook the most expensive hidden cost on the migration journey: time.

This programme means no more agonising wait for quotas year after year. No points race, low English requirements, and fast processing for all occupations!

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