Overview
The Australian Department of Home Affairs periodically conducts SkillSelect invitation rounds for the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) and the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) – Family Sponsored. These rounds are essential for skilled migration, allowing professionals to contribute to Australia's economy and address critical skill shortages. The number of invitations varies based on the number of on-hand applications, ensuring a balanced approach to skilled migration.
State or territory government nominations for skilled visas operate independently of these rounds, ensuring that regional and state-specific needs are met without interference from the broader federal invitation process. This distinction helps maintain a tailored approach to addressing specific skill shortages across different regions.
Occupation Ceilings
An occupation ceiling is the maximum number of invitations that can be issued for a particular occupation group within a program year. This mechanism ensures the skilled migration program remains balanced and aligned with the Australian Government's priorities. Occupation ceilings do not apply to the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) and the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) – State and Territory Nominated, allowing these visas to meet the specific needs of state and territory governments.
Invitation Process
The invitation process prioritizes the highest-ranked EOIs based on points score. In the case of equal points, the 'date of effect'—the time and date when the EOI achieved its score—determines the order of invitations. This ensures a fair and transparent system, encouraging applicants to optimize their profiles to secure invitations.
Current Round: 13 June 2024
The latest round of invitations, held on 13 June 2024, saw a significant number of EOIs issued for the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189). A total of 5,292 EOIs were invited, with the tie break date set to May 2024. However, no invitations were issued for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) – Family Sponsored in this round, reflecting the dynamic nature of the invitation process and the varying demand for different visa subclasses.
Invitations by Occupation and Minimum Scores
The invitation round showcased the diversity of occupations in demand. Here are some key highlights:
Accountant (General): Minimum score of 100 points
Actuary: Minimum score of 95 points
Civil Engineer: Minimum score of 90 points
Software Engineer: Minimum score of 100 points
Registered Nurse (Community Health): Minimum score of 90 points
This diverse range of occupations and scores indicates the broad spectrum of skills Australia is seeking to attract through its skilled migration program. It highlights the importance of both high-demand technical roles like software engineering and essential services like nursing.
Occupations with a Minimum Score of 65
Notably, several occupations required a minimum score of 65 points, making them accessible to a broader range of applicants. These include:
Airconditioning and Mechanical Services Plumber
Bricklayer
Cabinetmaker
Carpenter
Carpenter and Joiner
Drainer
Electrician (General)
Fibrous Plasterer
Gasfitter
Joiner
Lift Mechanic
Painting Trades Worker
Plumber (General)
Roof Plumber
Solid Plasterer
Stonemason
Wall and Floor Tiler
These trades are essential for Australia's construction and infrastructure sectors, reflecting the country's need for skilled labor in these areas.
Program Year Invitations
The 2023-24 program year has seen fluctuating activity. For instance, December 2023 marked a peak with 8,300 invitations issued for the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189). The June 2024 round added another 5,292 invitations, underscoring the significant demand for skilled independent migrants. Conversely, the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) – Family Sponsored saw minimal invitations, reflecting a more targeted approach in this category.
State and Territory Nominations
From July 2023 to May 2024, state and territory governments actively nominated candidates for the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) and the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491). Victoria, for example, led the nominations for subclass 190 with 2,700 invitations, demonstrating its robust demand for skilled migrants to support its economic growth. Other states like New South Wales and Queensland also showed strong activity, ensuring a widespread distribution of skilled talent across Australia.
This state and territory nomination activity highlights the importance of regional input in the skilled migration program, allowing local governments to address their unique economic and demographic needs effectively.
Conclusion
The SkillSelect invitation rounds play a vital role in shaping Australia's skilled migration landscape. By prioritizing high-demand occupations and ensuring a fair, transparent invitation process, these rounds help attract top talent to support Australia's economic and social development. As Australia continues to refine its skilled migration policies, these invitation rounds will remain a cornerstone of the country's strategy to build a diverse and skilled workforce.
For more information, please get in touch:
⚖️ Lawyer Ceren Guney +61 448 412 210 | +90 546 946 38 11
📚 Registered Migration Agent Feriha Guney MARN 0960690 +61 477 524 039
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