Migration Networks Pty Ltd

19/05/2024

19/05/2024

Subclass 192 - Pacific Engagement Visa (PEV)

The Australian Government’s Pacific Engagement visa for Pacific Island and Timor-Leste Nationals will commence on 3 June 2024.

Countries participating in the first Pacific Engagement visa ballot will include:
• Federated States of Micronesia
• Fiji
• Nauru
• Palau
• Papua New Guinea
• Solomon Islands
• Timor-Leste
• Tonga
• Tuvalu
• Vanuatu.

Up to 3000 visa places, inclusive of partners and dependent children, will be allocated annually through a ballot process.

To participate in the visa ballot, you will need to meet requirements. This includes:
• holding a valid passport
• being 18-45 (inclusive) at the time of the ballot commencement
• being a national of a participating country and
• completing an online registration form and paying a registration fee

To be eligible for the PEV, you must:
• be randomly selected through the PEV ballot
• be aged between 18 and 45 years
• have a formal job offer in Australia and
• meet other visa requirements, including English language, character and health checks.

If the registered person is not selected, a new registration will need to be submitted for participants to enter the next ballot.

31/08/2023

Closure of Pandemic event visa

From 2 September 2023, the Pandemic event visa will only be open to existing Pandemic event visa holders.

From February 2024, visa will be closed to all new applications.

27/08/2023

Update: Temporary closure of the General Skilled Migration (GSM) program- Northern Territory

Unexpectedly, the Australian Government has provided a significantly reduced allocation of GSM nominations for the 2023-24 program year as compared to previous years.

In order to manage the current pipeline of nomination applications against the reduced allocation, MigrationNT will temporarily stop accepting new nomination applications from 5pm Thursday 24 August 2023.

Existing applications that have already been lodged prior to this time will continue to be assessed under existing eligibility criteria, and eligible applicants will be issued nominations. Please note that this eligibility criteria will be strictly applied.

Once the existing applications have been assessed, the program will be reopened for subclass 491 nomination applications only, and with tighter criteria.

27/08/2023

Important Updates: NSW Business and Skilled Migration Program 2023-24

Common goals
Aligned with the Australian Government, our goals are straightforward: we're using our nominations to address skill shortages across various sectors, with a special focus on priority areas including health, education, and infrastructure.

Guidelines and updates
Nomination guidelines will largely remain consistent with last year's framework. However, adjustments to the skilled occupation list are under consideration, reflecting an ongoing commitment to aligning with the current needs and priorities. While we don't anticipate significant changes, we recognise the importance of staying responsive to emerging trends. Any updates or alterations will be announced as promptly as possible.

Skilled invitation rounds
Skilled invitation rounds will continue throughout the financial year. We expect these rounds to be highly competitive.

It's likely that invitation rounds will begin near the end of September.

27/08/2023

Skilled and Business Migration update – 2023–24 nomination allocations- South Australia

Recently, the Commonwealth Government provided advice of its decision to significantly reduce visa nomination allocations for South Australia’s General Skilled Migration (GSM) program in 2023–24.

An allocation of 2,300 nomination places has been provided, which contrasts with the 8,800 places allocated to the State in 2022–23.

We will continue to support South Australia’s priority industries with the limited places available, including our focus on attracting overseas skilled migrants in critical sectors such as Health and Defence.

Further information about the 2023–24 GSM program will be announced shortly, and GSM applications from the 2022–23 financial year will be finalised in the coming weeks.

As is the case with all states and territories, the Commonwealth Government has not provided South Australia with any nomination places for the Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP) in 2023–24.

Business or investor migrants who already hold a provisional visa (subclass 188) can apply for nomination for the extension stream or permanent (subclass 888) visa in 2023–24 as these are not subject to a cap.

27/08/2023

Tasmanian Skilled Migration State Nomination Program Update
​
2023-24 Program Allocations

The Australian Government has issued Tasmania’s allocation for the state and territory nominated visa categories for the 2023-24 program year. The allocations are:


Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa: 600 places

Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) visa: 600 places


No new nomination allocations have been provided for the Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP) in the 2023-24 program year for any jurisdiction.

This allocation is significantly lower than anticipated. The Department of Home Affairs has advised that reductions have been enacted across the entire State and Territory Nominated Program due to the large number of visa applications on-hand following the high quotas and subsequent number of nominations issued in 2022-23.

We understand that this will be of significant concern to many current and prospective applicants. We are continuing to engage with the Australian Government on this matter.

Further details in relation to how Tasmania’s Skilled Migration State Nomination Program will be managed for 2023-24 will be provided shortly.

Applications for nomination lodged but not yet decided

Applications for nomination that have been lodged but not decided will continue to be processed. Those lodged before 1 July 2023 against the requirements that were in place at the time of application. If approved, they will be nominated in SkillSelect shortly.

Caseload processing details (at 24 August 2023)

Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa:
Nominations – 0 of 600 places used
Nomination applications lodged but not decided – 160
Invitations to apply for nomination issued but not yet accepted – 7

Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) visa:
Nominations – 0 of 600 places used
Nomination applications lodged but not decided – 149
Invitations to apply for nomination issued but not yet accepted – 42

27/08/2023

Migration Intake seats allocation has been announced for SC190 and SC491.

21/03/2023

Victoria state sponsorship fast-track nomination is now open.

Occupations eligible for fast track nomination in Victoria

22/02/2023

https://www.education.gov.au/extended-poststudy-work-rights-international-graduates #:~:text=This%20extension%20will%20give%20eligible,and%20work%20in%20regional%20areas.

Extended post-study work visa for International graduates

25/11/2021

https://ministers.dese.gov.au/tudge/further-support-international-education-sector-and-international-students?fbclid=IwAR201dXrXMAVqR3mRFQ2Gd9MVWLvvw5rgrKDt7GU9SNxgl6As6_bGUUukIs

The Morrison Government will introduce further targeted measures to support the international education sector to roar back, as international borders reopen. More than $37 million will be available to support those international education providers most affected by COVID-19. Extended regulatory fee....