Home Affairs updates their Skilled Migration Occupation Ceiling
Home Affairs updated their Skilled Migration Occupation Ceiling quota on 29 August 2018. The skilled migration occupation ceiling affects applicants wishing to apply for a permanent subclass 189 visa.
Occupation ceiling values are based on a percentage of stock employment figures for each occupation. Stock employment figures are provided by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and represent the number of people employed in Australia in each occupation. It is worthwhile mentioning that occupation ceilings do not apply to 190 State/Territory Visas.
The following occupations are given the highest priority by the Department:
Registered Nurses - 17,322
Electricians - 9,303
Carpenters and Joiners - 8,372
Secondary School Teachers - 8,480
Software and Applications Programmers - 7,271
Metal Fitters and Machinists - 6,989
Motor Mechanics - 6,099
Civil Engineering Professionals - 3,510
Accountants - 3,753
Management consultant - 3,894
Livestock Farmers - 4,841
Construction Managers - 5,982
The process of receiving an invitation for General Skilled Migration somewhat complex process given the there is no information published regarding ranking of applicants who file their expression of interest. The highest ranked clients by points score are invited to apply for the relevant visa. For applicants who have equal points scores, the time at which they reached their points score for that subclass (referred to as the date of effect) determines their order of invitation. Expressions of Interest with earlier dates of effect are invited before later dates.
The second round of invitations was issued on 11 August. Whilst slightly lower in comparison to last year’s August intake, there were a total of 2490 Skilled Independent Visa Invitations issued and a total of 10 Subclass 489 Skilled Regional Invitations issued.
Skills select first allocates places available to subclass 189 visas followed by provisional regional subclass 489 visas. The current points cut off for subclass 189 visa is 70. Provisional regional 489 visas points cut off is 80.
There is current no information available on any states or territories issuing subclass 190 nominations for the new financial year.
SCA Summary
Home Affairs will continue to issue invitations for General Skilled Migration visas once a month. Therefore, applicants with pending visa expiry who are in Australia may benefit from applying for another visa as an interim solution to remain in Australia whilst their expression of interest is processing.
Contact one of our consultants today to discuss your circumstances.
Disclaimer: The information provided herein is of a general nature only and does not constitute immigration advice. For more detailed and case specific information or advice, please contact SCA Connect.
