Changes to Skilled Migration Program from November 2019

New visas to assist designated regional areas in skilled immigration

Changes to Skilled Migration Program from November 2019

The Migration Amendment (New Skilled Regional Visas) Regulations 2019 introduced new visas to assist designated regional areas, which include all of Australia except for Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane .

Subclass 489 visa replaced by subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional)

This visa is introduced with an enhanced point test and will have two streams - State/Territory sponsored stream and sponsorship by an eligible family member residing in designated regional area. Applicants are required to be under 45 years of age at the time of application, have a positive skills assessment in an occupation in the eligible occupation list and meet the points test criteria. Once granted the visa will be valid for five years with a potential pathway to permanent residency after three years. The Federal government also announced that subclass 491 visa will have access to 70 additional occupations.

Introduction of a new subclass 191 [Permanent Resident (Skilled Regional) visa]

This is for subclass 491visa holders who have earned a minimum taxable income for at least three years as the holder of a regional provisional visa; and have complied with the visa conditions. Applications for this stream will open on 16 November 2022.

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This is a brief summary intended for information purposes only. It is not a legal advice. It should not be relied upon as legal advice. Please consult with an experienced immigration consultant before submitting a visa application.

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