Skilled visa nomination programs 2020-21 a pathway for skilled workers reopen again as the quota allocation has been finalized.
Home Affairs has finally allocated the quota for the states and territories of Australia for the remaining length of the “Skilled Visa Nomination Program” of 2020-2021. The number of places awarded is in addition to the previously announced interim quota in October 2020. This will help many states and territories to open the skilled visa nomination program for subclass 190 and subclass 490 step by step. Some states have received more number of place whereas some have received less quota than of last years’. By December 11, 2020, states and territories have been allocated funds for skilled immigration and business visa nominations. Some states and territories have announced on their websites that Australian states and territories have been allocated the remaining seats for the Skill-designated subclass 190 and the Skilled Regional Sponsored Subclass 491 visa categories.
Eligible subclasses
The eligible visa subclass for the “Skilled Nomination Program” are as follows:
- Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)
- Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491)
Information required to apply for the program online
- how the work you undertake is critical to the state’s economic recovery or health response to the coronavirus pandemic
- your occupation, including ANZSCO code
- your employer’s ABN and contact details
- expression of Interest number for SkillSelect
- candidates name, date of birth, and email address
- the skilled visa you are seeking Victorian nomination for (subclass 190 or 491)
- the purpose of your employer’s business or service
Although the states and territories have been allocated their full allocations, it is not necessary that they use the entire allocation of visas as they will instead focus on hand-to-hand applications and block this from last year. Will clear. Since half the program has already passed a year ago, we can see a significant decrease in the number of applications to the immigration department, but in the permanent number of visas. Visa holders affected by Australia’s border closure will not be designated for skilled migration.
Immigration Minister Alan Tudge’ remarks on the remaining quota allocations
Mr. Tudge said: “It’s usually a matter of demand so the states bid for it and we always encourage states and territories to look at it because it is the widest distribution of migration in Australia. That’s a great way to do it”. Visa categories in addition to the interim quotas they had obtained in October earlier this year. In line with the interim program, the full program additionally responds to the challenges posed through COVID-19 epidemics, with a strong focal point on candidates who can assist the country and territories recover from the financial disaster caused by the ongoing crisis.
State and Territories wise quota allocation and program beginning
1- South Australia
The State Authority continues to invite and review candidates through its Skills Program. South Australia has been allotted 20% less than last year.
2- Tasmania
Officials point out that Tasmania will reopen its skills program at the end of January. Until then, the transitional program arrangements below will continue to work. The island state has already used 25 of the 2,400 for skilled visa nominations, 600 less than last year’s allocation.
3- Northern Territory
No quota is currently available for this territory. The sparsely populated jurisdiction has already scrapped its small provisional allotment. The state’s website suggests that its skilled visa program is suspended till further notice.
4- Australian Capital Territory
ACT has not yet the beginning of the program but it has indicated about the launch of the program.
5- Western Australia
The region has not yet indicated when it will open its skills program for applicants. A total of 1,440 have been allocated to the Mining State for this program year, about 1,800 less than last year’s allocation.
6- Queensland
Queensland is an Australian state located northeast of the continent. Its coastline, the Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest coral reef system, hosts thousands of marine species. Cairns is a gateway to rock and tropical dentures, capital Brisbane, Gold and Sunshine Coasts Surfing Beaches. According to announcements, the skilled program will remain suspended until further notification. It continues to process the backlog of applications received between 29 September – 5 October as part of the interim quota, even though it has received additional places for the remainder of the program year.
7- Victoria
The full Victorian Skilled Visa Nomination Program for 2020-21 (subclasses 190 and 491) has opened on Tuesday, January 5, 2021. The state government has received:
- 1900 additional places for subclass 190
- 843 additional places for subclass 491
For the rest of the program year. The total quota for the skilled visa program for 2021 is 3543. On the other hand, the quota in Victoria for the Skilled Visa Program in 2021 is the same as it was in the previous program year 2020. The program’s eligibility requirements have changed to support the state’s health response and help with its economic recovery. The state has made it clear that invites will be issued solely to candidates who work in surprisingly professional occupations in the following fields:
- Health
- Medical research
- Life science
- Agricultural food
- Digital
8-New South Wales
New South Wales is a southeastern Australian state distinguished from coastal cities and national parks. Its capital, Sydney, has famous structures such as the Sydney Opera House and Harbor Bridge. The NSW government has revealed that it has received the final nomination for the financial year 20-21 from the Home Department. This year, a total of 6,350 places have been allocated to the state of New South Wales.
Comparison of distribution for places with 2019-20: NSW is one of the few states that has acquired more seats than its allotted quantity in the previous year. There are about 600 more than its quota in 2019-20, which is a sign of the state’s needs for workers in key areas of the state, health, information and computer technology, and engineering.
190 Visa nominations: Invitations for subclass 190 visa nominations are still pending. As per the Home Affairs directive, NSW will only invite selected health, ICT, and engineering professionals, and those currently residing in NSW. The biggest state in Australia is working nowadays on a reduced skilled occupation list of 21 occupations for its subclass 190. NSW is currently working on the list of low-skilled occupants under the direction of domestic affairs. NSW professionals are currently nominating for Sub Classic 190 and Sub Classic 491 visas. These lists may be changed without notice.
491 Visa nominations: Although it is working on slightly more occupations on the list of 34 for the Skilled Regional Sponsored Program (Subclass 491), application evaluation will start in February 2021. Regional Development Australia (RDA) offices will focus on nominating candidates who are skilled in key areas. These applicants are a priority for the authorities in helping in financial recovery after the consequences of COVID-19.
General requirements for Skilled Nomination Visa
All states and territories have had their own criteria for the candidates. Here you will know a sample of requirements for one of the states for your knowledge.
Victoria’s Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) requirements
- You must be below age 45 to lodge an application
- Your resume or curriculum vitae
- You must have a Competent level of English (or equivalent) for example for IELTS a score of 6 bands in each skill
- You must have lived and worked in Victoria for at least the past 6 months
- You must be currently employed in Victoria and working in a highly-skilled occupation in health or medical research which supports Victoria’s economic recovery or health response for at least the past 6 months. Your occupation must also be on one of the Department of Home Affairs
- A skills assessment (valid for a minimum of 12 weeks at the time of applying) must match the occupation you have nominated on your visa nomination application and EOI.
- You must commit to continuing living and working in Victoria for at least 2 years.
Victoria’s Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) requirements
This visa allows Points-tested skilled workers and their families to live, study, and work in designated regional areas for a period of 5 years.
- You must be below age 45 to lodge an application
- Your resume or curriculum vitae
- You must have a Competent level of English (or equivalent) for example for IELTS a score of 6 bands in each skill
- You must have lived and worked in Victoria for at least the past 3 months
- You must be currently employed in regional Victoria in a highly-skilled occupation in the health, medical research, life sciences, agri-food, or digital sectors
- A skills assessment (valid for a minimum of 12 weeks at the time of applying) must match the occupation you have nominated on your visa nomination application and EOI.
- You must commit to continuing living and working in Victoria for the entire length of the visa.