State-Wise Update on Australia's Skilled Migration Visa Nomination Programs

Key Highlights

As the end of Australia's skilled migration visa nomination program comes closer, many Australian states are coming forward to fill the remaining places in the program.

They are mostly accepting skilled candidates in occupations that can help boost their economic recovery and response to the pandemic.

Victoria

In Victoria, medical occupations appear heavily from the candidates selected to apply for the Skilled Nominated visa (Subclass 190) and the Regional Skilled visa (Subclass 491).

According to the latest program review on the official website, the draw held, on 28 February 2021, invited 1,140 candidates under Subclass 190 and 270 under Subclass 491 visa.

New South Wales

New South Wales was one of few Australian states to receive more places for allocation than last year.

NSW is currently targeting skilled migrants in specific engineering, medical and ICT occupations that support the state's response to the Covid-19 pandemic and its economic recovery.

NSW's Regional Development Australia (RDA) offices continue to accept candidates under the Skilled Nominated visa (Subclass 190).

South Australia

While South Australia continues to accept nominations, it does so only for candidates who are currently onshore.

In the program year 2019-2020, over 80% of candidates applying under the Skilled Nominated visa (Subclass 190) were already in Australia.

Queensland

Queensland's nominating body has currently closed the skilled migration program citing a significant backlog of applicants to be approved.

The case officers are currently assessing applicants who submitted their Expressions of Interest (EOI) between 1 to 7 February 2020.

Australian Capital Territory

The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) government continues to hold separate invitation rounds for the Subclass 190 and Subclass 491 visa applicants.

As per the latest draw, ACT's nominating body issued 23 ITAs for candidates under Subclass 190 and 39 for candidates under Subclass 491.

Tasmania

The island state of Tasmania has already utilized over 60% of the nomination places.

The state has indicated that it currently has less than 400 nomination places under Subclass 491 for the 2020-21 program, while a large number of applicants have not yet been processed.