Temporary Graduate visa stream subclass 485 changes - dependents

29 January 2021

A significant change to migration regulations that will impact hundreds of recent graduates and their families. Anyone who has held a temporary graduate visa as a dependent will no longer be able to lodge a 485 visa as a primary applicant. 

At this stage, it is unclear if applications that have processing application will also be impacted by this change. 
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More clarity and information from the Department of Home Affairs to be announced. 

Visa invitation rounds to run quarterly in 2021

04 January 2021 

The Department of Home Affairs have changed the frequency of invitation rounds for the remainder of the 2020-2021 program year.  Invitation rounds for Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) and Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) – Family Sponsored visas have previously been running each month. 

The next invitation round will run in January 2021. 

SOURCE: 
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/working-in-australia/skillselect/invitation-rounds 

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Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491) IN NSW OPEN 

17 November 2020

Regional Development Australia (RDA) offices will soon begin assisting NSW Treasury in managing applications for NSW nominations for the subclass 491 visa once the allocations have been confirmed.

Each RDA will be responsible for setting their own eligible skilled occupations for nomination applications. More detailed information certain requirements and the occupations list will be available through participating RDAs.
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Nomination Criteria for a 491 visa in NSW will remain consistent across all regions (see below).

NOMINATION CRITERIA

The 491 Visa holds certain requirements that must be met including:

• Hold a suitable skills assessment for your occupation
• Competent English at the time of applying (e.g. 6 IELTS each band or 50 PTE each band)
• Score a minimum of 65 points
• Be under the age of 45 when applying
• Be invited to apply
• Meet the health & character requirements

In addition to the above requirements, you must meet all criteria in one of the three following three streams to be eligible for NSW nomination:

Living & working in REGIONAL NSW

• ​living in a designated regional area in NSW for at least the previous 12 months; and
• working in your nominated occupation, or a closely related occupation, in a designated regional area of NSW, for at least the previous 12 months

Recently completed STUDY in REGIONAL NSW

• ​have completed study or education with an education provider within a certain criteria
• have lived in a designated regional area of NSW while completing your study

Living & working OUTSIDE of NSW

Job offer in regional NSW

• ​have an offer for ongoing employment that is:
  • in the Applicant's nominated occupation, or a closely related occupation; and
• for a minimum term of 12 months and 35 hours of work per week;
• have an offer for ongoing employment from an employer that is:
  • located in a designated regional area in NSW; and
  • registered in Australia

OR 
At least five years skilled employment experience (offshore Applicants)
(further information)

Family ties in regional NSW
(further information) 

SOURCE: 
​NSW Department of Industry. (2020). Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491) - Live & Work in New South Wales. [online] Available at: https://www.business.nsw.gov.au/live-and-work-in-nsw/visas-and-immigration/skilled-visas/skilled-work-regional-visa-subclass-491.
Homeaffairs.gov.au. (2019). Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa - Main applicant. [online] Available at: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/skilled-work-regional-provisional-491/application#Eligibility.

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