State Nomination Update
With the opening of the new Subclass 491 Regional Work visa only a day away, the Australian States and Territories are getting ready for the influx of EOI applications expected after 16 November.
The following information has been made available so far.
Victoria
The Victorian Government will accept applications for state nomination for the 491 visa from 9am on Monday 18 November 2019. There is no fee to apply for nomination, and they can use any occupation on the Immigration skilled occupation lists.
However, all applicants for the 491 visa are required to provide evidence of a current job offer in their nominated occupation, located in regional Victoria. Evidence of the employment offer, business operations, recruitment efforts, and genuine need must be provided with the application for state nomination.
Queensland
The state nomination program for General Skilled Migration remains closed, with advice that this will reopen 'in the coming weeks'. A number of occupations have been removed from the QSOL, including:
Onshore and Offshore - IT
- ICT Business Analyst ANZSCO 261111
- Systems Analyst ANZSCO 261112
- Developer Programmer ANZSCO 261312
- Software Engineer ANZSCO 261313
- Software and Applications Programmers nec ANZSCO 261399
- ICT Security Specialist ANZSCO 262112
- Computer Network and Systems Engineer ANZSCO 263111
- Analyst Programmer ANZSCO 261311
Onshore - Accounting
- Accountant (General) ANZSCO 221111
- Management Accountant ANZSCO 221112
- Taxation Accountant ANZSCO 221113
- External Auditor ANZSCO 221213
- Internal Auditor ANZSCO 221214
Offshore - Engineering
- Civil Engineer ANZSCO 233211
- Mechanical Engineer ANZSCO 233512
- Electrical Engineer ANZSCO 233311
- Engineering Technologist ANZSCO 233914
Tasmania
The requirements for state nomination for the 491 visa are not yet available, but should appear shortly after 16 November.
From this date, applicants for both the 491 and 190 visa will be required to pay a $220 (incl. GST) application fee for nomination applications. This must be made via credit card (Visa or Mastercard) and is not refundable regardless of application outcome.
South Australia
Migrate SA closed their state nomination system for 190 visas from 11am on 15 November 2019, in order to make changes for the 491 visa. The system will reopen in the first week of December (exact date to be determined). Applicants for the 491 visa will open at the same time.
Further information will be published in late November.
New South Wales
The NSW Government states that it will 'shortly advise' when they will open for 491 nominations, however, Regional Development Australia Northern Inland NSW, one of the regional bodies of the NSW State Government announced in a recent newsletter that a start date for 491 nominations 'will not begin until early 2020, hopefully January'.
Specific details regarding eligible occupations and postcodes designated as regional areas will be also released in due course.
Northern Territory
The Territory advises that their nomination program for the Subclass 190 and 491 will be closed until 9 December 2019.
Western Australia
The WA government has advised that EOIs for the 491 visa can be submitted from 16 November, however, the invitation process will not commence until 21 November 2019.
Australian Capital Territory
The ACT has advised that applications for nomination can only be submitted from 1 January 2020. This is following a release of new eligibility criteria for both the 491 and 190 visas, due on or before 28 November 2019.
What can we do now?
Where there are delays in the 491 program opening, it is still a good idea to start on the skill assessment process and undertaking an English language test. Having these to hand will give you the advantage of being able to lodge an EOI as soon as programs do open.
We also suggest speaking with a Migration Agent - even if just for confirmation on your eligibility and points - as this will ensure you do not waste your time and effort on an EOI that will go nowhere.
Finally, we suggest signing up to our newsletter to ensure updates on the state nomination programs are sent directly to you when they are available.
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