Australia Immigration Updates

Maxic Arrow

Amidst the corona virus outbreak, Australia's State and Territory Governments resume to process applications:

​Australia's State and Territory Governments has continued to process and nominate visas for skilled migrants. However a continuous development with COVID-19 has indicated changes to their preference. Candidate who considers applying for a Subclass 190 or 491 State nominated visa can come to us for detailed consultations and we suggest them please go across the respective state or territory government  websites for up-to-date changes and closures.

​A brief overview for each State/Territory 

Australian Capital TerritoryThe ACT usually requires applicants to have consistently resided and worked under the ACT for 13 weeks prior to applying for a State nomination. Due to the impacts of COVID-19, applicants may request a waiver of the 'continuous employment' criteria where:

• The applicant's return to Canberra has been postponed due to the travel ban;
• The applicants is required to self-isolate for 14 days;
• The applicant's working hours are reduced, they are required to take unpaid leave, or have lost their job because of COVID-19.

Northern TerritoryDue to the closure of Australia's borders, Migration NT is currently not considering offshore applications for Northern Territory nominations. In the near future, it will stay in effect..
Existing applications and onshore applications will still be processed.
QueenslandBusiness and Skilled Migration Queensland (BSMQ)'s subclass 190 visa program is currently closed.
BSMQ is still nominating subclass 491 applicants; however, the program is closed to offshore applicants.
BSMQ has reached its quota and will not be issuing any further invitations for these occupations:

• 225113 - Marketing Specialist
• 132211 - Finance Manager

​South AustraliaSouth Australia prioritizes the screening and nomination of health care and medical practitioners. This impacts South Australian students and applicants who presently work in South Australia as a health care and medical practitioner.
190 Nominations Immigration SA has closed its subclass 190 program for immigrants who have not been employed in South Australia over the last 12 months or, if in a country state, for the last 6 months.
Moreover, South Australia will no longer nominate the following occupations for a 190 visa:

• 132211- Finance Manager
• 149914 - Financial Institution Branch Manager
• 221111 - Accountant (General)
• 221112 - Management Accountant
• 221113 - Taxation Accountant
• 221211- Company Secretary
• 221213 - External Auditor
• 221214 - Internal Auditor
• 222112 - Finance Broker
• 222311 - Financial Investment Adviser
• 222312- Financial Investment Manager
• 224711- Management Consultant

The following occupations are now open only to candidates who already live and work in South Australia:

• 141111 - Cafe or Restaurant Manager
• 351311- Chef
• 351411-  Cook

Health care and medical practitioners in specified occupations who are currently working in South Australia for the past 12 months - or the past 6 months if in a country area - will receive priority processing of their 190 nomination applications.
491 Nominations
Applicants not currently working in South Australia will be considered for a Subclass 491 visa only.
Immigration SA is waiving their work experience requirement for relevant health care and medical practitioners who are currently staying and working in South Australia. Simply minimum 65 points (including state sponsorship points) is required. This applies only to the 491 visa.

TasmaniaMigration Tasmania has temporarily restricted eligibility for subclass 491 nominations. Offshore applicants may only be able to apply if they are applying for an occupation specified as 'High Demand' portion of the Tasmanian Skilled Occupation List. High Demand occupations include healthcare professionals such as Registered Nurses.
Applicants will High Demand occupations will be given preference, which ensures that processing time will be increased for certain applications.

VictoriaVictoria continues to accept and process applications for state nominations. Those who qualify the eligibility criteria for Victoria's nomination program can continue to apply for state nomination.

Western AustraliaThe April invitation round for WA state nomination has been delayed due to the Easter holidays, but otherwise applications are still being processed. The occupation of 'Chef' on the Graduate Occupation List is currently under review, which means that invitations will be limited.

New South WalesThe NSW government says it plan to continue to process nominations as usual; nevertheless, they are reviewing their requirements and processes. As a part of Covid-19 improvements will be made in the system to address any critical needs
There is an ongoing delay in opening the Subclass 491 visa program, with no indication on implementation date.

Contact us for more detail:
☎ +91 (0) 11 47587090
✉ [email protected]
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