Skilled migration grants have been flowing smoothly lately. The most-watched subclasses — 189, 190, 491 and 887 — have all seen progress to varying degrees.

Offshore bridging visa holders returning in numbers

Onshore bridging visas dropping fast

The Department of Home Affairs’ latest report includes data up to31 December 2022visa data — the most current available.

Trends fromtemporary visas:

–Visitor visas, working holiday visas and student visasled a strong rebound in temporary visa holders. Visitor visa numbers rose 696.4% year-on-year compared with end-2021; student visas rose 44.6%.

–New student visa applications: FY2020–21 saw 260,000; FY2021–22 saw 365,000; this financial year is already at 247,000 at the halfway point. With the policy stimulus at the start of the year, surpassing 400,000 should be achievable.

–Of those currently holding a student visa onshore, higher education accounts for over 230,000 and VET programmes over 150,000. A significant number are choosing to develop trade and vocational skills in Australia — excellent value for money.

–Onshore bridging visa holders (excluding Bridging E) have fallen to around 200,000 — a 39% drop compared with end-2021 — indicating many people received their substantive visa grant.

–TSS employer-sponsored visas are in high demand given the current labour shortage.Applications this financial year may set a multi-year record:22,843 were lodged in just half a year; the full year could exceed 40,000.Previously the figure was around 35,000. Note that the Subclass 482 TSS visa has no annual cap. The Department has confirmed employer-sponsored applications will continue to be prioritised to meet employer demand.

Top 15 occupations nominated for TSS:dominated by ICT, with head chefs, motor mechanics and cooks also prominent — plus auditors, accountants and marketing professionals.All familiar occupations.

491 withdrawals high,

but invitations even higher

Interestingly, the report focuses on regional 491 state-nominated and 494 employer-sponsored data, with less detail on other skilled categories:

–491 new applications in the first half of the financial year: 14,919.At this pace,the total will exceed the 26,314 recorded in FY2021–22.

–On 491 processing:8,477 were granted in the first half of the year.2,235 were refused or withdrawn (compared with 912 in FY2021–22).Most of the withdrawals are likely voluntary — applicants withdrawing to pursue a Subclass 189 or 190 instead.

-494 remains lukewarm with little momentum.

887 Grant Rain

Now reaching May 2021

The 887 — long the overlooked subclass of skilled migration — finally delivered a surprise this week. After approximately 6 new case officers were added,grants rained down all day on 9 February and continued on 10 February.

Sample grant notifications

Our grant summary(as at 5:00 pm, 10 February 2023):

– Processing has advanced from September 2020 toearly May 2021

– Cases are from our clients and many external shares — some may have been missed.

– The majority of this round’s grants went tosingle applicants, though some included aspouseand some had a fullfamily.

–A wide range of occupations was represented — not limited to priority occupations. Accountants, IT professionals and engineers were all included. At the 887 stage there is no nominated occupation as such; previous feedback indicated case officers cannot easily sort applications by occupation to prioritise processing.

– Many weregranted without any prompting — no MP intervention or follow-up was required.

– The case officers joining this 887 processing round areall new faces.

Some applicants from the same lodgement period are still waiting — processing is not strictly in order of lodgement date; faster and slower outcomes are normal. We hope the 887 grant rain continues and moves into a steady processing phase — everyone will get there, sooner or later.

190 grants remain the highest

Grants continued at high volume this week, mostly for applications lodged in 2021, with some from the first half of 2022.Lodged January, October, November and December 2021, and May 2022

491 grants concentrated on 2021 applications

Grants have been plentiful over the past few weeks, mostly for 2021-lodged applications.Lodged early 2021, June 2021 and March 2022

189 grants — processing is fast

Some lodged October last year, some lodged early this year — priority occupations continue to dominate.

143 parent migration — quota still available

Further information requests are currently being issued for applications lodged up to early April 2017.

Both parents plus a minor sibling — lodged mid-January 2017, received a further information request in mid-December last year, and the whole family was granted today after completing it!

Lodged late August 2016, received a further information request in September 2022 — granted this week.

NSW Subclass 190 formal state nomination

Marketing specialist — 75+5 points

NSW Subclass 491 regional state nomination — formal nomination granted

Insurance agents based overseas are now a viable pathway to migration

A common occupation overseas — with a bachelor’s degree, IELTS 6 in each band and 12 months of experience, an insurance agent can achieve skilled migration to Australia.

South Australia Subclass 491 — formal nomination

Private Tutors and Teachers Private Tutors and Teachers — 70+5 points is enough for a Subclass 190 opportunity

249299 Private Tutors and Teachers — 70+5 points is enough for a Subclass 190 invitation this financial year. Tutors and training professionals from overseas, you’re welcome to enquire about an assessment.

Invitations & Grants

Congratulations to everyone who received an invitation or a grant this week!Skilled migration — from invitations to visa processing — has entered a full flourishing phase. The opportunity is right now!

If you’re an accountant without a top score →Top of Australia’s migration competition but not a high-scoring accountant? There are still plenty of options — straight to PR, or perhaps an even faster pathway!

If you’re in marketing, finance, copywriting, management or other common but non-priority occupations →Invitations in the 65–75 points range — many everyday occupations that aren’t migration hot spots have great opportunities this year! Business / education / services / design — does your occupation qualify?

If you’re a key researcher or senior manager →This visa is being fast-tracked in 2023 — offshore applicants still have excellent opportunities!

Opportunities are blooming across the board.

Seize the moment — scan the customer service QR code below

to start your assessment consultation

Previously recommended — click the image to read

This visa is being fast-tracked this year — great opportunities remain for offshore applicants!

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Accountants with 65–80 points — there are now multiple pathways available!

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The Department says: parent migration means waiting at least 12 years — what about the contributory stream?

Migration Info Group

2023

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Reply in the official accountwith any of the numbers or keywords below (not in the article comment section)to receive the most up-to-date and professional migration news!Reply [A] to view the full index (all topics)!

Reply: 0000 → View the 16 November policy update (491 + skilled migration points)

Reply: 000 → Latest visa / citizenship processing wait times

Reply: 001 → Latest Subclass 189 EOI official report

Reply: 002 → Subclass 189 Skilled Independent migration

Reply: 003 → Subclass 190 state-nominated migration by state

Reply: 004 → Subclass 489 regional area state nomination

Reply: 005 → Student entrepreneur and investor migration

Reply: 006 → Parent migration visa

Reply: 007 → Employer-sponsored visa

Reply: 008 → Subclass 485 visa

Reply: 009 → Partner migration / points bonus

Reply: 010 → Work experience points bonus

Reply: 011 → Partner IELTS/PY points bonus

Reply: 012 → NAATI / CCL points bonus

Reply: 013 → Regional area points bonus

Reply: 014 → Visitor visa

Reply: 015 → Working holiday visa

Reply: 016 → TAFE study

Reply: 017 → Canadian migration for Australian international students

Reply: 018 → Subclass 407 Training visa

Reply: 019 → Subclass 408 Temporary Activity visa

Reply: 020 → New Zealand migration

2023 Recommended

Backlog down 400,000 by year-end! Is the temporary-to-permanent pathway reform a priority?Click “Original Link” — Migration Weekly Bulletin, Video Edition

887 Subclass Grants Finally Rain Down, Advancing to May 2021! 190 Continues High-Volume Grants, 491 Clearing 2021 Applications! State Nominations Processing Fast!

This visa is being fast-tracked this year — great opportunities remain for offshore applicants!

Accountants with 65–80 points — there are now multiple pathways available!

The Department says: parent migration means waiting at least 12 years — what about the contributory stream?

The Department says: parent migration means waiting at least 12 years — what about the contributory stream?

The Department says: parent migration means waiting at least 12 years — what about the contributory stream?

The Department says: parent migration means waiting at least 12 years — what about the contributory stream?

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