This blog article was published in 2022. For a current overview, please read our blog Migrating to Australia in 2024 and 2025: What you need to know.
While skilled migration has only been possible in a limited number of cases over the past two years, access to Australia’s migration program is now broadening again. The country is currently facing a level of workforce shortage not seen for many years, affecting industries nationwide. This situation is also reflected in the skilled migration planning levels set for the upcoming 12 months.
Update: December 2022
More places for migrants
The allocation of places for permanent visas (Permanent Residency) in Australia is planned and adjusted on an annual basis. The so-called Migration Program Year always begins on 1 July each year. The new program year – and therefore the first following the COVID-19 border closures – commenced on 1 July 2022.
Encouragingly, the number of visa places available to skilled migrants is being significantly increased. Overall, the new program year provides substantially more capacity within the Skill stream, which includes not only skilled migration visas but also investor and entrepreneur visas (Business Innovation & Investment) as well as the Global Talent visa program. The total number of places was first increased from 79,600 to 109,900 and then further increased to more than 142,000. The strongest growth can be seen in the skilled visas that are most relevant for many prospective migrants:
For the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189), the number of places has been dramatically increased from 6,500 to 32,100
For visas with State and Territory nomination as well as regional visas, the allocation has almost tripled from 22,400 to 65,000
What does the new program year mean for prospective migrants to Australia?
These adjustments finally give prospective migrants hope for improved access to these visas and therefore to permanent work rights in Australia – provided they meet the requirements for the relevant visa subclasses. These skilled visas, for which no job offer or employer sponsorship is required, require, among other things, sufficient points in the Australian points test, which takes into account factors such as age, work experience and English language skills.
Skilled Independent Visa – less pressure due to more places
The Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) has always been one of the most popular visa subclasses for people migrating to Australia. This is because holders of this visa are not tied to an Australian state and do not require state nomination. However, the number of places available for this visa has been continuously reduced over recent years. As a result, the minimum points required to receive an invitation increased steadily, making access to this visa increasingly difficult.
The significant increase in places in the new program year is therefore a very positive development, which is likely to have a favourable impact on the required minimum points and thus on access opportunities in the future.
In the first major invitation rounds between September and December 2022, applicants in many occupations were invited to lodge an application for a Skilled Independent visa with the minimum score of 65 points.
State Nominated visas – greater nomination potential for the states
State Nominated visas are also an attractive option for those seeking permanent residency in Australia, as they provide either direct access or a defined pathway to permanent residency. The Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) and the Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491) require nomination by an Australian state or territory, known as state nomination.
States and territories receive annual nomination allocations, which are based on the nationwide planning figures outlined above. These allocations allow states to support individual applicants for skilled migration visas. The increase in visa places therefore also results in increased nomination allocations, providing states with more nomination places. This represents another very positive development for prospective migrants.
States may apply their own selection criteria when allocating nominations. One of the most important criteria is usually occupation lists developed by the states themselves, identifying occupations in particularly high demand within that state.
In line with the increased number of nomination places, most states have expanded their occupation lists and are now willing to nominate a much broader range of occupations. Regional visas, in particular, offer attractive opportunities for those willing to live and work outside Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
Outlook – how is the situation developing for prospective migrants?
The increase in migration planning levels from 2022 onwards is a very positive development. In addition, a comprehensive review of the migration program has been announced. In the long term, this is intended to make Australia more attractive to migrants in the international competition for skilled workers.
