COVID-19: Important State Migration List Update
Despite the COVID-19 crunch, which has resulted in the stoppage of quite a lot of Australian visas, some of the Australian state and territory governments are still inviting applicants for a couple visa subclasses, visa 491 and 190, two of the most important amongst them. The following write-up is going to acquaint with some of the most significant updates and changes that have been implemented by a few of the below given Australian states and territories.
NSW
Although New South Wales is inviting applicants for the aforesaid visa types, they are assessing their visa checklists, and are planning to bring a few changes to them. This includes some of the most indispensable changes which have to be brought due to the COVID-19 outbreak. This has prevented to resume their 491 visa program as of now, the actual date, still being uncertain.
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Western Australia
A number of reasons have led to the delay of Western Australia’s visa invitations during the April cycle until the 23rd of April of this year. Two of the most prominent reasons are the ongoing review of the Chef’s occupation, related to the Graduate Occupation List and, Easter Holidays. Nonetheless, the already accepted applications are undergoing a processing session.
Victoria
Victoria is conducting fully-fledged processing of its state nominations’ applications, but, only if the applicants have applied by meeting all the criteria of their relevant visa streams.
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Tasmania
The visa subclass 491 has faced closure in Tasmania as a result of the Covid-19 scourge. However, only those applicants will be allowed who have chosen for an occupation, belonging to the ‘High Demand’ category of the Tasmanian Skilled Occupation List. This may result in the delay of processing times for secondary applicants.
ACT and its visa changes
According to Australian’s Capital Territory’s new visa requirements, applicants will have to stay and work there for not less than 13 weeks in order to apply for its state nomination visa programs. However, the applicant can request a waiver, if they are unable to meet the criteria of the continuous employment category due to the following situations.
- Absence of job, need for unpaid leave, or intermittent working hours
- Quarantine for 14 days or
- Delayed visit to Canberra as a result of the travel ban.
These issues are temporary and will be resolved with the eradication of Covid-19.
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Visa updates of SA with subclass 190 and 491
The South Australian government has restricted its work experience requirements for all its health and medical professionals who are staying and working there presently, pertaining to the visa 491, except the criterion to meet the minimum nomination score of 65 points. Besides, when it comes to the visa subclass 190, applicants who are working for less 6 and 12 months in South Australia can’t apply and if they belong to any of the following professions:
- 224711 Management Consultant
- 222312 Financial Investment Manager
- 222311 Financial Investment Adviser
- 222112 Finance Broker
- 221214 Internal Auditor
- 221113 Taxation Accountant
- 221213 External Auditor
- 221111 Accountant (General)
- 221211 Company Secretary
- 221112 Management Accountant
- 132211 Finance Manager except for the posts of
- 351411 Cook
- 351311 Chef and
- 141111 Cafe or Restaurant Manager
- 149914 Financial Institution Branch Manager
That apart, places like Northern Territory and Business and Skilled Migration Queensland have also closed their invitations for the Visa Subclass 190 and 491 visa, specifically for its overseas applicants, the latter only allowing applicants to apply, pertaining to the following occupations:
- 132211 Finance Manager
- 225113 Marketing Specialist
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The former is however still processing all its existing applications. If you need more information on matters like these, feel free to contact our expert migration agent Perth at ISA Migrations and education Consultants, and we will guide you accordingly.