To support the country’s economic and public health response to and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, Australian states and territories have opened their Skilled Migration Programs.
The states and territories can now nominate skilled and business migrants for the Skilled Nominated visa Subclass 190 and the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa Subclass 491 as Australian jurisdictions received quotas from the federal government.
Victoria
Victoria will focus on onshore applicants who are currently living and working in the state in one of the seven target sectors designated by the state based on their STEMM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medical) skills.
A total of 4,000 places this year – 3,500 for Subclasses 190 and Subclass 491. The numbers allocated for 491 are a bit surprising. Slashing those spots by over 50 per cent goes completely against the government’s push for regional migration.
Western Australia
Western Australia expanded its occupation lists. Applicants who apply for General Stream, do not have to be currently studying, working, or living in the state to receive a nomination. All they need is a job offer in the state to be eligible for this stream.
Also, WA’s skilled occupation list is quite liberal with opportunities for trades like motor mechanic, chef, cook and painter. Applicants specifically from Victoria and Queensland will benefit from WA’s state nomination since the options for these occupations are limited in these states,”
Australian Capital Territory
ACT skilled migration program remains closed to offshore applicants until the federal government reopens the international borders. IT received 600 more places for its skilled nomination program this year as compared to the last.
