2019-20 Migration planning levels; SA’s push for migrants; historic GSM and business skills nomination ceilings

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2019-20 Migration planning levels; SA’s push for migrants; historic GSM and business skills nomination ceilings

While it was known that Australia’s permanent migration intake would be cut from 190,000 to 160,000 starting in the 2019-20 program year, which visa categories will suffer more can now be determined. Also, a recent Freedom of Information request shows why South Australia requested more migration places and what the nomination ceilings were for each State and Territory for General Skilled Migration and business skills visas.

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Analysis: 491, 494 and 191 visas, the new kids on the block

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Analysis: 491, 494 and 191 visas, the new kids on the block

Comprehensive analysis of the policy and ramifications behind the new regional skilled visas: the Subclass 494 – Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa, the Subclass 491 – Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa, and the permanent Subclass 191 – Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa, which will come into effect from 16 November 2019.

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187 and 489 visas to be replaced on 16 Nov 2019; new permanent 191 regional visa available from 16 Nov 2022; GSM points test changes

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187 and 489 visas to be replaced on 16 Nov 2019; new permanent 191 regional visa available from 16 Nov 2022; GSM points test changes

The regulations for the new regional visas have been written and will come into effect on 16 November 2019. From that date, Subclass 489 – Skilled - Regional (Provisional) visas will be replaced with the Subclass 491 – Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa, and Subclass 187 – Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme visas will also be replaced (except for transitional arrangements) with a provisional Subclass 494 – Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa, which will be parachuted into the employer sponsored temporary work visa program.

Surprisingly, instead of two new visas, there will also be a third, the permanent Subclass 191 – Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa, that will be available from 16 November 2022 for 491 and 494 visa holders who have held these visas for at least three years, complied with their visa conditions and meeting income requirements.

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Pre-election rush: DAMAs signed for Warrnambool, Orana, South Australia

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Pre-election rush: DAMAs signed for Warrnambool, Orana, South Australia

In what may be the last act by the current Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMAs) were signed late last week for Warrnambool, Orana and South Australia. With an election looming, these agreements formalise negotiations between State and Federal Governments so local businesses can use Subclass 482 – Temporary Skill Shortage visas to fill critical skill shortages not covered by the standard business sponsor program.

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