Month: January 2022

In the 2021–22 financial year, the state-nominated Subclass 491 allocation totalled 12,430, representing 46% of the overall quota. In some states and territories — such as the ACT, Queensland and Tasmania — the 491 allocation exceeds the Subclass 190 quota for this financial year; while in others such as New South Wales, the Northern Territory and South Australia, the 491 and 190 quotas are roughly equal.

Most people assume that skilled migration points are assessed solely at the time of invitation. In reality, there is one important exception: partner points — for example, the 10-point bonus for being single, or the 5-point bonus when your partner holds four-band-6 IELTS. Under the Migration Regulations, partner points must still be satisfied at the time the visa is granted.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that, from 19 January, international students and working holiday makers arriving in Australia would receive a refund of their visa application fees.

Work experience, a job offer, current employment in your field… these are essentially prerequisites for every migration pathway today. For international graduates, clearing this hurdle is essential whether you plan to stay in Australia or not. That said, there are differences between fields of study — particularly when it comes to finding work in your chosen area after graduation, where the choice you made can make a real difference.

As an HSC student in New South Wales, your exam results were released on 20 January. We’re sure that at the moment you received your score, you felt proud of all the hard work you’ve put in. Many of you have already been in touch with your education consultants. The first round of preference changes was on 21 January; if you missed it, the second round is on 6 February. Make the most of these windows to apply for the programme and university that best suits your score.

As Australia welcomed 2022 and national vaccination targets were met, the government finally began rolling out a series of favourable policies to encourage international students to return. But beyond the financial incentive of visa fee reimbursements upon arrival, what are the real migration benefits? This article analyses the recent changes to the Subclass 485 Graduate Work visa.

Australia’s hospitality industry is facing a mounting labour shortage. Some restaurant owners are offering staff hundreds of dollars in referral bonuses to bring in friends. At premium restaurants, dishwashers are being offered as much as $35 per hour just to fill positions.

Every so often, we share the latest visa processing figures with you — there is simply no other way to put it. Processing times for skilled migration are painfully slow, especially for Subclass 189/491/190. Since the end of last financial year, the grant numbers have been dismal. After lodging, most applicants spend their time waiting… waiting… still waiting, and the queue just keeps growing……

Following yesterday’s official announcement, there has been quite a lot of good news for international students and graduates overseas these past couple of days — three updates in one day!

Migration Minister Alex Hawke today announced further COVID-19 relief measures for affected temporary visa holders, including Subclass 489, 491, 494 and 485, during a media interview.