The latest invitation round for Skilled Independent (Subclass 189) and Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 491) – Family sponsored visas took place on 8 December 2022.
A staggering 35,000 invitations were sent out which is above the figure released in the government’s October budget for the entire financial year. Our understanding is that there will be a further three more invitation rounds for the current 2022-23 program year.
State and territory government nominations occur independently of the skills select invitation rounds.
For the Subclass 491 Family Sponsored Stream the number of invitations issued in December 2022 have decreased compared to the previous round in October 2022. Invitations issued in December were 120 compared to 818 invitations issued in October.
The minimum points required to secure an invitation in the December 2022 round was 65 points for both the Skilled 189 Visa and the Skilled Work Regional Family Sponsored 491 visa.
The highest ranked individuals by points score are invited to apply for the relevant visa. Those who have equal point 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 (EOI) with earlier dates of effect are invited before later dates.
The last invited applicant submitted an EOI in November 2022 which shows a waiting time of only one month.
Invitations issued in the December 2022 round were only for occupations as listed on the Department of Home Affair’s website – https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/working-in-australia/skillselect/invitation-rounds
For example, Accountant (General) and Chemical Engineer – two popular occupations – only required a minimum score of 85 to be invited, which is achievable.
VISA SUBCLASS | AUGUST 2022 | OCTOBER 2022 | DECEMBER 2022 |
189 Skilled Independent | 12,200 | 11,713 | 35,000 |
491 Family Sponsored | 466 | 818 | 120 |
Published Tue 20 December 2022. Tags: 189 Visa, 491 Visa, SkillSelect Invitation Round, State Sponsorship