In this blog, we will discuss the 189 visa and all states and territories' updates regarding the 190 and 491 visas.
We will check the number of intending migrants who received State and Territory Governments nominations from July 1, 2023, to January 31, 2024. Please note that this number does not include the pre-invitations that the states have recently issued.
In this year's allocation, the Department of Home Affairs has set aside 30,375 slots for the Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189). As of December 18, 2023, 8,300 invitations have been issued for the 189 visas. Additionally, 79 invitations were issued for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491) in the Family-sponsored stream. In line with recent trends, the Department has invited applicants from the health and education sectors this time as well.
State and territory governments have also invited health workers and teachers for the Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190). State and territory governments and the Department of Home Affairs must collaborate closely to avoid duplicating invitations across similar occupations, mainly when the same individuals receive invites for the 189 and 190 visas.
If the Department of Home Affairs can collaborate with the States and Territories to ensure that the same applicants and same professions are not being invited, then this could mean that applicants in other occupations will also stand a chance to get invited this financial year. This approach will mean that other professionals can contribute their skills to Australia's workforce.
Let's look at each State and Territory to see how many seats remain for this financial year.
Northern Territory 190 and 491:
As of January 31, 2024, NT had 13 seats left for 190 visas and 107 seats left for a 491 visa.
NT | Total Seats | Used Seats | Seats Left |
190 | 250 | 237 | 13 |
491 | 400 | 293 | 107 |
South Australia 190 and 491:
January 31, 2023, SA still has 261 seats left for 190 visas and 568 seats left for 491 visas. South Australia stopped its Outer Regional stream this year, which meant that many applicants who moved there to apply under this stream were not eligible anymore. We hope they return Outer Regional SA stream in the next financial year.
SA | Total Seats | Used Seats | Seats Left |
190 | 1100 | 839 | 261 |
491 | 1200 | 632 | 568 |
Tasmania 190 and 491:
On January 31, 2023, Tasmania still had 181 seats left for 190 visas and 311 for 491 visas.
TAS | Total Seats | Used Seats | Seats Left |
190 | 600 | 419 | 181 |
491 | 600 | 289 | 311 |
Victoria 190 and 491:
January 31, 2023, has 724 seats left for the 190 visa and 221 2 seats left for a 491 visa. Victoria has mentioned that they will stop inviting early this year, but they have been inviting 190 and 491 visas so far.
VIC | Total Seats | Used Seats | Seats Left |
190 | 2700 | 1976 | 724 |
491 | 600 | 379 | 221 |
Australian Capital Territory 190 and 491:
As of January 31, 2023, ACT has 124 places left for 190 visas and 184 for 491. Many of you must know that ACT also has a Small Business visa stream for their 190 and 491 visas. If you are running a business in ACT, you may have a chance for a skilled visa pathway through this stream.
ACT | Total Seats | Used Seats | Seats Left |
190 | 600 | 476 | 124 |
491 | 600 | 416 | 184 |
New South Wales 190 and 491:
As per the Department of Home Affairs website data, as of January 31, 2023, NSW still had 1658 seats left for 190 visas and 522 seats left for 491 visas.NSW has recently opened for Pathway 1, but based on our data, they have received very few applications for this pathway.
NSW | Total Seats | Used Seats | Seats Left |
190 | 2650 | 992 | 1658 |
491 | 1500 | 978 | 522 |
Queensland 190 and 491:
As of January 31, 2023, Migration Queensland still had 274 seats left for 190 visas and 331 seats for 491 visas. We have noticed that Queensland has been inviting health and education-related occupations or applicants with very high points.
QLD | Total Seats | Used Seats | Seats Left |
190 | 900 | 626 | 274 |
491 | 650 | 319 | 331 |
Western Australia 190 and 491:
As of January 31, 2023, WA had 144 seats left for 190 visas and 135 for 491 visas. WA Migration Services has stopped accepting new GSM nomination applications for the 2023-24 program year as the number received has now exceeded the available allocation.
WA | Total Seats | Used Seats | Seats Left |
190 | 1500 | 1356 | 144 |
491 | 850 | 715 | 135 |
Existing applications that have been lodged before February 2, 2024, will continue to be assessed under existing eligibility criteria, and nominations will be issued subject to availability.
Looking at the numbers left for each State and Territory, it will be a tough competition, and applicants with either very high points or occupations in critical sectors will have a chance to get invited.
If you are someone who is currently in Australia and has yet to be able to get invited, you may want to get in touch with us to see what options you have to stay in Australia and wait for the invitation.
Disclaimer:
The information shared by Nationwide Migration and Education on social media and blogs is for general informational purposes only. (The information is accurate at the time of publication but may be subject to change.) It is not legal or immigration advice and should not be relied upon as such.
If you need immigration advice specific to your circumstances, please book a consultation with our Registered Migration Agent.
Comments