The 7 November 2024 invitation round for Australia's skilled migration program has provided crucial insights for individuals seeking to apply for a skilled visa. This round specifically impacted the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) and the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) – Family Sponsored. Let’s dive into the key details of this round, including the number of invitations issued, the occupations affected, and the minimum points required.
Overview of Invitations
In the 7 November 2024 invitation round, the Australian Department of Home Affairs issued a total of 15,000 invitations for the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189). However, no invitations were issued for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) – Family Sponsored.
This round marks a significant step in the current program year, highlighting the demand for skilled workers under the subclass 189 category. The subclass 189 visa is highly sought after by individuals looking to gain permanent residency in Australia, as it allows skilled workers to live and work anywhere in Australia without requiring a state or territory nomination.
Invitation Numbers and Tie-breaker
In invitation rounds, the number of invitations issued may vary depending on the volume of Expressions of Interest (EOIs) received. For this particular round, the number of EOIs invited was substantial, with 15,000 invitations issued.
A key element of the invitation process is the tie-breaker rule, which applies to EOIs that have the same points score. The Department of Home Affairs uses the date of effect (the date the EOI reached its score) as a tie-breaker. In this round, the tie-break date was set to January 2023, meaning that applicants who reached the required points score before that date were invited first.
Occupation-Specific Invitations
For the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189), the invitation process was closely tied to specific occupations. Each occupation has a set of minimum points required for an invitation to be extended. Here’s an overview of some of the occupations that received invitations in this round:
- Accountant (General): Required 95 points to receive an invitation.
- Chef: Required 85 points to receive an invitation.
- Civil Engineer: Required 85 points to receive an invitation.
- Software Engineer: Required 95 points to receive an invitation.
- Developer Programmer: Required 95 points to receive an invitation.
These are just a few examples, and the full list of occupations includes a diverse range of skilled professions, from healthcare and engineering to technology and education. The point requirements vary, with more specialized and in-demand occupations typically requiring higher points.
Impact of State and Territory Nominations
It’s important to note that state and territory government nominations for skilled visas are separate from the Department of Home Affairs’ invitation rounds. While the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) is based solely on points, applicants for the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) or the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) – State and Territory Nominated visas may still receive nominations from state and territory governments, which could increase their chances of receiving an invitation.
State and territory governments can nominate individuals based on the specific skills and occupations in demand in their regions. These nominations provide additional opportunities for skilled workers to immigrate to Australia.
Looking Ahead: What Applicants Should Know
For those who were invited in the 7 November 2024 round, it’s crucial to start preparing for the next steps in the visa application process. Ensure that all necessary documents, including skills assessments, English language proficiency test results, and other required paperwork, are ready for submission.
For those who were not invited, there is always the possibility of future rounds. Staying active in the system, improving your points score through further qualifications or work experience, and exploring other visa pathways such as the state-nominated visas can help increase your chances in upcoming rounds.
Conclusion
The 7 November 2024 invitation round marked a significant milestone in Australia’s skilled migration program, with 15,000 invitations issued for the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189). While there were no invitations for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) – Family Sponsored, this round underscores the importance of having a competitive points score, as the highest-ranked EOIs are invited first.
Applicants are encouraged to monitor the invitation rounds and stay updated on any changes to the points system, occupation requirements, or visa pathways. For those who missed out on an invitation in this round, there will be more opportunities in future rounds.