The Migration Institute of Australia (MIA) held an all-day conference on 12 March, attended by the state government officials in charge of migration programmes as well as officials from the Department of Home Affairs. There was a lot of information, covering pretty much everything migration applicants want to know. Without further ado, let’s get into the highlights.
Department of Home Affairs
Officials are discussing the settings and composition of the 2021–22 financial year migration programme,they understand the impact of the pandemic on Australia’s population, and also understand how important migration is to Australia’s post-pandemic recovery,every aspect is being considered, such as how to support regional areas, and they will also be taking feedback from all sides — there’s no firm word yet.
Officials expect that aroundthe release of next financial year’s Federal Budget in May 2021 is when clearer information will emerge.
Occupation lists
During the pandemic, the PMSOL will remain the main list in use. The other, older occupation lists are only expected to be reviewed once the pandemic is over — any adjustment needs to be backed by various data.
Visa processing
The past year has been tough for applicants,and it hasn’t been easy for the processing teams either, given the constant changes and constant shifts in priorities,with processing mainly split between one large family team and one large skilled team.Within those, different sub-teams handle different visas, and the applications assigned to each team are arranged flexibly,but there’s no clearly visible drop in the backlog yet — they’re trying, trying, trying…
Partner migration processing
is currently a priority for processing,and the partner migration quota for this year is still very plentiful, so processing will continue to be sped up.
Skilled migration
Priority processing goes to shortage occupations on the PMSOL and industries that support the economy, along with GTI, employer sponsorship and business/investor migration, which are all priorities for this financial year.
Someone asked whether Subclass 189 might pick up again next financial year.
Andrew’s personal view is that, having come through the pandemic, Australia’s unemployment rate has fallen further than expected, which could help Subclass 189 recover — but he isn’t the decision-maker on this, so this doesn’t represent the decision-makers’ position, only his own opinion.
Travel exemptions
The approval rate for entry exemptions is around 35%,and most of these would be spouses of citizens and permanent residents.
Shortage occupations can currently enter, but at the moment this is mainly limited to nursing,Will more industries be added to the exemption list in future? Can parents and grandparents get an entry exemption? Still no update — it all depends on the government’s decision…
As for the chances of Subclass 491 and 489 provisional permanent residents getting an entry exemption — that’s not currently under particular consideration.
NSW state nomination
NSW Subclass 190
Although applications opened relatively late,skilled migration invitations are now running on a regular basis (a regular invitation round, though no timetable was given).
Will more occupations be added to Subclass 190?
The state government has received feedback that the NSW Subclass 190 occupation list is shorter than other states’. They said the NSW 190 occupation list is based on advice from the Department of Home Affairs,and the current focus remains on shortage occupations and people already onshore,however, it’s been 12 months since the last skills shortage survey, so they acknowledge that some other shortage occupations may have been missed,but adding an occupation isn’t a simple, straightforward procedure — it requires surveys and data.
NSW Subclass 491
All regional areas share a uniform basic threshold requirement, but it should be understood that individual regions have their own flexibility in nomination, and given how many regional areas NSW has,each large or small region differs, so it’s understandable that there’s quite a bit of variation.
Different regional areas are allocated anywhere from as few as thirty or fifty places to over a hundred, depending on the size of the region and the needs they’ve put forward themselves.
Someone questioned why the regional Subclass 491 list doesn’t include agriculture and service-industry occupations that are in need. The state government understands the demand, but says there isn’t much they can do for now — they’re still following the Department of Home Affairs’ lead, and are hoping the border reopens soon and other visa pathways can help.
Business and investor migration
After the federal government’s policy changes on 1 July 2021, the state government will adjust its nomination rules,though they haven’t yet settled on the timing for Subclass 132 lodgements, and are seeking the Department of Home Affairs’ advice on this.
Summary:
NSW’s business/investor and skilled migration programmes are both enormous, and the state government simply can’t meet every need. They’ve heard the feedback, but it doesn’t look like there’s much more they can do. We’re still in the pandemic’s special circumstances, and they’re hoping things can return to normal in the coming months.
For more details on NSW state nomination, please add our consultant below
VIC state nomination
Skilled migration
At present, both Subclass 190 and 491 are only targeting industries and occupations that support the post-pandemic economy. The state government also hopes for a stable, gradual opening up, so that other industries and occupations can be included in future.
Target industries that apply to both business/investor and skilled migration
Victoria still assesses applicants case by case, looking at the contribution they can make and the field and industry they work in,so we’re seeing invitations go to ICT and engineering, and even accounting occupations.They won’t sacrifice quality for the sake of numbers in processing,meaning that if there aren’t enough applicants meeting the target,they won’t force down the standard just to issue invitations. In the chart below, the larger the font, the more invitations that occupation has received this financial year.
So far, they’ve received over 5,000 Subclass 190 ROI (Registration of Interest) applications,invited 1,140 from the ROI pool, and over 700 have received a formal nomination invitation.Most invited applications are processed within 22 working days.For Subclass 491, 270 ROI invitations and 108 formal nomination invitations have been issued,with most processing completed within 15 working days.
Business and investor migration
Victoria has substantially raised the sponsorship threshold for business and investor migration.They’ve made clear they’ll select from the top down, choosing only the very best. Businesses don’t need to be large-scale, but they do need to be of good quality, create jobs, and be sustainable.
Summary:
The focus remains on applicants who can help the post-pandemic economic recovery. Business/investor migration is selecting the best of the best, while Subclass 190 and 491 skilled applicants are assessed more on the field and industry they currently work in — if that field or industry falls within the target industries mentioned above, even if the nominated occupation itself isn’t a shortage occupation, there’s still a chance of getting an invitation, and quite a few people have already received one.
For more details on VIC state nomination, please add our consultant below
QLD state nomination
Queensland has seen a lot of onshore migration from Victoria and NSW, and a lot of interest in the small business Subclass 491 stream.
Business and investor migration
Queensland has temporarily paused business and investor migration lodgements,as they’re hoping to secure more places to sponsor the backlog of applications, hopefully within the coming weeks.
There are 1,200 business and investor migration places this financial year.The current processing priority order is: 132A, 188A, 188C, 188E, 188B,and the scope of eligible businesses is mainlythose that help the economic recovery, boost productivity, create more jobs, and so on.In addition, Queensland’s business/investor migration requirements will change on 1 July, in line with the federal government’s requirements.
The chart below shows the industries of business/investor migrants Queensland has attracted, mainly applicants from mainland China and Hong Kong. The share from mainland China fell in 2019–20, but has already picked up again this financial year.
Skilled migration
Skilled migration will reopen in April 2021, which will also be the last opening this financial year.The occupation list will be reviewed in July of the new financial year, and there may be updates.
Subclass 491 small business stream
Changes from 1 April 2021 (these have been mentioned before) — see the details here:Subclass 491 Queensland small business requirements are changing! Prepare early for the new policy! Attention applicants currently buying a business!
The state government reminds applicants that the business they purchase doesn’t need to be related to their nominated occupation.
Q1: Can Subclass 491 small business accept offshore applicants?
A: Offshore applicants are not accepted for now
Q2: Will the Subclass 132 Business Talent visa open in April?
A: Most likely not opening in April
Q3: Could Subclass 491 invite occupations that aren’t on the occupation list?
A: Yes
Q4: What happens if there’s a business partner during the 2-year small business operating period for Subclass 491?
A: You need to buy out the partner’s full share, then operate independently for 6 months to meet the application requirement
Summary:
By the sound of it, Queensland’s business/investor and skilled migration places are both very tight and in short supply. On the plus side, the state government says it’s still very welcoming of migrants coming to start a new life in Queensland, and they’ll try their best to secure more places from the federal government. The Subclass 491 small business stream remains a real “favourite” project for the state government right now.
For more details on QLD state nomination, please add our consultant below
Subclass 189 EOI by occupation
Latest backlog data
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Canberra (ACT) state nomination
Although we’re still in the pandemic’s special period, with the focus on shortage occupations — the same as other states —Canberra really does need people to come!So, given the border is currently closed,Canberra wants to attract people from other states. She said applicants from other states have a relatively good chance if they come to Canberra now.
Occupation group caps and state nomination places
So far this financial year, 414 formal nomination places remain for Subclass 491, and 386 remain for Subclass 190.
In previous financial years, roughly half of all places went to accounting, which they felt wasn’t right for Canberra’s talent attraction, so they decided to cap each occupation. Now, invitation scores on the accounting matrix are all above 100 points, and most applicants reaching that score have relevant work experience, years of local residence, and outstanding English,the best of the best among applicants in the same occupation.
Applicants who have already received one formal nomination will need to wait 6 months before applying again, unless there’s a very good reason
Occupation list
Following the ACT government election last November,leadership has asked them to review the occupation list every four months(Marketing Specialist was added last week, though this is just a minor adjustment — there’ll be more updates in April)
Summary
The state government is doing its best to keep as many occupations as possible, and is diligently issuing invitations (releasing the matrix every week). They’ve said applicants from other states are welcome and have a relatively good chance — so what are you waiting for?
For more details on ACT state nomination, please add our consultant below
TAS state nomination
Since 29 January, they’ve received over 850 new state nomination applications.
Subclass 491 places running low, Subclass 190 slightly better
This financial year’s total Subclass 491 quota is 1,400 places, of which more than 1,000 have already been used,which means fewer than 400 places remain.This financial year’s total Subclass 190 quota is 1,000 places,with around 600 places currently remaining.
The state government expects to receive over 4,000 state nomination applications this financial year, and several thousand applicants will not be invited,as places for both Subclass 491 and 190 are very tight, with 190 slightly better off than 491 — 190 is expected to last through to the end of the financial year.As for 491, unless applicants are in a critical industry or a highly skilled occupation, the chance of an invitation is very low. The state government says that unless it’s genuinely urgent,they really recommend waiting until next financial year to lodge an application.
How to become a competitive applicant
Summary
Tasmaniaheld its own briefing session not long ago — see the details here:The latest Tasmania state nomination briefing! Processing order by occupation! Quota usage and backlog! Here’s what the official favours in an applicant!Much of the content has already been covered — it’s really just that some of the figures may have been updated.
Employment and future career plans are clearly conditions the Tasmanian government now places great weight on — it’s already spelled out in black and white that having a job in a shortage occupation or shortage industry gives you an advantage, and having a job at all is more competitive than having none. This is all familiar ground by now — rather than hoping every day that policy eases and competition drops, the most important thing is to build up your own capability.
For more details on TAS state nomination, please add our consultant below
SA state nomination
Skilled migration Subclass 190 and 491
Critical skills occupations remain the priority, and onshore applications are still open to applicants currently living in South Australia. Although some nominated occupations opened and closed over the past few weeks, many occupations have actually shifted to being available only under the Talent and Innovator programme. That said, for now,there are still places available for SA 491 and 190. SA’s migration authority has been discussing internally how to allocate these reasonably, which is why we’re seeing a lot of small adjustments.Since receiving its full-year quota from the Department of Home Affairs, South Australia has been working hard to process every applicant’s case.
The offshore application pathway remains closed for now.
Within the Talent and Innovator programme, the Small Business programme has been very popular with applicants this year, while the SA state government tends to favour start-ups.
Business and investor migration
For current Subclass 132 applicants,whether they’ve submitted an intention to apply or not, please note: South Australia will close its Subclass 132 application pathway on 31 March 2021.Subclass 188 places are still being processed and allocated.
DAMA programme
The DAMA programme has always been a priority for SA’s migration authority, which will continue to work closely with the federal and state governments. SA’s migration authority currently has its own skills assessing team — if an applicant’s nominated occupation doesn’t have a suitable assessing authority, they can consider using SA’s in-house skills assessing team.
Summary
SA’s policies are quite detailed, and adjustments are fairly frequent — windows of opportunity may come and go quickly. Overall, it continues its usual bias towards local graduates, though of course there are alsonew opportunities under the Talent and Innovator programme and similar.
For more details on SA state nomination, please add our consultant below
NT state nomination
The Northern Territory’s current skills shortages are mainly in areas such asthe service industry, construction, and tourism.
Skilled migration and honouring the residency commitment
The Northern Territory has also run into too many applicants and not enough places, which is why a threshold was introduced in July 2020.They’ve also found that many people haven’t honoured their commitment to live and work in the Territory.There’s also increasing competition from Subclass 190 applicants from other states.
The Northern Territory doesn’t focus on points — an EOI score of 65 is enough,and they’ll instead pay attention to other factors such as whether you’re living and working in the Territory.If you can’t live in the Northern Territory for a full 6 months after graduating, but you have strong employability, you may still be able to get Subclass 491.
Relevant work in the Northern Territory
The Northern Territory’s occupation list is reviewed annually. It has been closed to offshore applicants since March 2020 (except for the MINT programme), and its invitation processing speed is currently delayed, with the focus on occupations that rely on overseas workers.
Summary:
The Northern Territory has always placed very heavy weight on applicants honouring their commitment to live locally, and this will become even more of a focus this financial year. Invitations withdrawn after being found not to be living locally following visa grant are currently limited, but the state government is able to report this to the Department of Home Affairs — a reminder to think about the impact on your own visa.
For the Northern Territory’s MINT programme, dedicated to offshore applicants — if you’d like to know more, please add our consultant below! For a detailed introduction, see:A ray of hope for Australia’s offshore skilled migration!? Post-pandemic, a purely offshore applicant’s Subclass 190 green light — a great start to the new year with a grant!
Western Australia didn’t manage to bring in the official in charge of skilled migration this time, and only gave a brief, general overview of business and investor migration — so we won’t go into detail here.
Judging by everyone’s tone, the attitude towards new migrants is welcoming across the board. But this financial year, every state government has had its hands tied by shortage occupations and industries — some are following the federal government’s lead very closely, while others are pushing as hard as they can within their limited scope to keep things running as normally as possible. Let’s hope the new financial year, three months from now, brings a fresh outlook.
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