Australian response to the challenges posed by Covid-19 differs between the states and territories. The management of state migration programs is no exception to this rule. Migrants seeking state nominations for Skilled visas should keep up to date with the changes on both the Federal and State levels.
In response to the pandemic, New South Wales and other states have made several changes to their skilled migration programs. After partially opening in June, NSW completely suspended all invitations in July followed by a trickle of invitations in August. As Australia emerges from the pandemic, NSW is showing positive signs of a more coherent policy.
In a notification received today by ImmiUpdates, NSW Treasury advised of their plans to resume Skilled visa invitations. Here are the main takeaways:
Current situation
The NSW Business and Skilled Migration program is close to filling its interim allocation of nominations for the 2020-21 year provided by the Department of Home Affairs.
Following the Commonwealth Government’s announcement of the annual migration program planning levels, an additional provision of nomination positions for the reminder of the year may become available in the coming weeks.
Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated Visas
Invitation rounds will commence shortly for subclass 190 visa nominations. In line with Home Affairs' direction, NSW will only invite applicants currently in selected health, ICT and engineering occupations and who currently reside in NSW.
Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional Provisional Visa
NSW will shortly announce changes to the management of the subclass 491 visa. Currently, the 491 visa web page on NSW's migration portal states that 'NSW is not accepting new applications at this time. We cannot provide a time frame when applications will open by phone or email.'
Covid Concessions
Home Affairs recently announced some concessions in Australia’s migration programs in relation to Covid. NSW will largely seek to honour these concessions where there is no direct conflict with additional nomination criteria set by NSW. Assessments outside of the formal application process will not be provided.
At this point it is not entirely clear which Covid concessions NSW is referring to.
ImmiUpdates will post new information about NSW's migration program as it comes to hand. Subscribe below to get the latest ImmiUpdates in your inbox.
Have any questions? Write them below in the comments or email Elan at elan@ryshermigration.com.au
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