Do you want to know how many seats are left for the 190 and 491 visas? This is your chance to act before they fill up!
In this blog, we will provide you with the latest state and territory nomination updates, key insights from Australia’s labour market report, and an important clarification on the Small Business Owner pathway in Canberra.
We’ll also discuss recent skills assessment changes, upcoming skilled migration seminars, and a major update on the National Student Ombudsman.
This is crucial information for anyone looking to secure their visa before the end of this financial year—so stay tuned!
Now, let’s get started!
Updated Skilled Migration Nomination Numbers – Seats Left (February 2025)
The Department of Home Affairs has provided the latest state and territory nomination updates for the Subclass 190 and 491 visas.
📌 Subclass 190 – Skilled Nominated Visa (Seats Left)
NSW: 2,083 seats left
SA: 1,077 seats left
ACT: 626 seats left
NT: 174 seats left
QLD: 347 seats left
TAS: 1,100 seats left
VIC: 564 seats left
WA: 2,283 seats left
📌 Subclass 491 – Skilled Work Regional Visa (Seats Left)
NSW: 1,413 seats left
SA: 457 seats left
ACT: 487 seats left
NT: 505 seats left
QLD: 349 seats left
TAS: 401 seats left
VIC: 768 seats left
WA: 1,319 seats left
What does this mean for you?
If you’re planning to apply for a state-nominated visa, now is the time to submit your Expression of Interest (EOI) before these seats run out.
Some states, like Northern Territory and Queensland, have very limited seats left, so getting in early is crucial.
Australia’s Labour Market Performance – Key Insights for Migrants
The Jobs and Skills Australia Labour Market Report (January 2025) provides a breakdown of industry trends over the past year.
While the overall labour market remains strong, some industries have experienced significant growth, while others have declined.
📈 Industries with Strong Job Growth:
Health Care and Social Assistance – Added 70,200 jobs
Education and Training – Increased by 54,900 jobs
Accommodation and Food Services – Gained 42,700 jobs
📉 Industries with Job Declines:
Manufacturing – Lost 16,400 jobs
Financial and Insurance Services – Reduced by 7,800 jobs
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services – Dropped by 7,200 jobs
What does this mean for visa applicants?
If you have skills in healthcare, education, or hospitality, now is an excellent time to apply for skilled migration, as these industries are actively hiring.
However, if you work in manufacturing or finance, securing employer sponsorship or state nomination might be more competitive.
Canberra Small Business Owner (SBO) Pathway – Important Clarification
Many people assume that starting a business in Canberra automatically qualifies them for a 491 or 190 visa nomination. However, this is NOT true.
Here’s what we’ve confirmed from ACT Migration:
✅ Meeting the eligibility and business requirements is NOT enough – the Canberra Matrix is still a competitive ranking system.
✅ Even if you meet turnover and salary requirements, you must have a high enough Canberra Matrix score to receive an invitation.
✅ If your Matrix score is too low, you will NOT receive a nomination.
✅ The minimum scores for past rounds are available, so check where you stand before applying.
📌 Canberra SBO Nomination Results:
190 nominations – 12 invitations (Minimum Matrix score: 115)
491 nominations – 5 invitations (Minimum Matrix score: 115)
What does this mean for you?
If you are considering the Small Business Owner (SBO) pathway, you must understand the Canberra Matrix system and aim for a competitive score—simply starting a business will not be enough to secure nomination.
📌 New Update for Child Care Workers (482 & 186 Visa Applicants)
The Department of Home Affairs has confirmed that skills assessments from ACECQA for "Child Care Worker (Group Leader)" will be accepted for Subclass 482 (TSS Visa) and Subclass 186 (Direct Entry Visa).
This is good news for child care professionals looking to secure employer sponsorship in Australia.
📌 TRA Skills Assessment Update for Construction Workers
From 31 July 2024, skilled workers in eligible housing construction occupations can now use the Migration Skills Assessment (MSA) program instead of the Offshore Skills Assessment Program (OSAP).
✅ The MSA program is faster and cheaper.
✅ 85% of MSA applications for housing construction trades are now finalized within 25 days.
✅ If you work in construction, check the Trades Recognition Australia website to see if your occupation qualifies for this new pathway or contact us.
Skilled Migration Seminars by Investment NSW
📌 Investment NSW is hosting a series of skilled migration seminars to provide information on:
The National Innovation Visa
The Skills in Demand Visa
Visa pathways for businesses and industry leaders
These seminars will be held both in-person across NSW and online. If you’re interested, please visit the NSW website for more details.
New National Student Ombudsman (NSO) – What You Should Know
From 1 February 2025, Australia now has a National Student Ombudsman (NSO) to handle complaints from higher education students, including those studying at private universities.
The NSO investigates complaints related to:
✔️ Student safety & welfare
✔️ Racism & gender-based violence
✔️ Course administration & disciplinary issues
If you are an international student in Australia, this is a new support service available to you.
Final Thoughts & How We Can Help
If you are considering applying for a skilled visa, now is the time to get your EOI ready while seats are still available.
📌 Our team of registered migration agents specializes in all visa types, including skilled migration, employer sponsorship, partner visas, and complex cases.
📞 Book a consultation today!
🚀 We’ll see you in the next update!
Disclaimer:
The information shared by Nationwide Migration and Education is for general informational purposes only. While accurate at the time of publication, details may change. This content is not intended as legal or migration advice. For advice tailored to your circumstances, please book a consultation with a Registered Migration Agent.
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