Since the federal budget is late this year due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the Department of Home Affairs (DoHA) decided to allocate interim places to all the states for the first four months of the new financial year from 1 July to 31 October.
Highlights:
- The Federal government has allocated a total of 5169 interim places to all the states.
- This allocation is from 1 July to 31 October.
- South Australia has received maximum seats (900) for the skilled migration visa.
State/Territory Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190) has been given the highest allocation of 2,430 total places. Skilled Work Regional (provisional) Visa popularly known as Subclass 491 has received 1,715 places while Business and Investor program has been allocated 1,024 seats.
The information published on the DoHA website as a response to the freedom of information (FOI) application reveals South Australia has received maximum seats (900) for the skilled migration visa subclass 190 and 491. NT has received a total of 160 seats for both subclasses.
Source: Department of Home Affairs
Brisbane-based Migration agent Suman Dua of Sirus Migration points to the fact that South Australia has been allocated more seats for 491 visas than 190.
“It seems that they will be more generous for their 491-visa option; this is also because many applicants move from other states to South Australia due to their generous occupation list. If you are someone who has moved from another state to South Australia, then you will only be offered 491 from South Australia,” explains Ms Dua.
Victoria has received a total of 800 seats with the highest 600 seats for subclass 190.
Melbourne-based migration agent Chaman Preet of Education and Migration Expert says it’s great to know the allocations.
“This information has not been readily available in the past. These could help the applicants plan their approach. What’s also interesting is that states like NSW and VIC have more states for 190 visa.”
Chaman Preet highlights that the states that have fewer COVID-19 cases seem to have more allocations for 491 visas.
This is in line with the federal government’s announcements and response towards the pandemic.
Suman Dua says Victoria has also received the highest allocation for Business and Investor program.
She says, “This could be because Victoria is greatly affected by this pandemic and anything to boost its economy is the government’s high priority. When Business migrants are invited by any state, they are committed to invest and create jobs in that state,”
Australia has already announced that Business Visa migrants will be allowed to enter Australia.
New South Wales has received a total of 700 seats (550 for Subclass 190 and 150 for Subclass 491).
Tasmania has been allocated more seats for 491 visas (400) than 190 visas (250), making it third highest in the list.
Disclaimer: We’d like to point out that the information contained in this segment is general and is not specific advice. If you would like accurate information relevant to your situation, you should ask a registered migration agent.
