Key terms: Subclass 189 Skilled Independent visa – Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated visa – Subclass 489 Skilled Regional Sponsored visa – SkillSelect – Expression of Interest (EOI) – Invitation to Apply

Earlier today the Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, Peter Dutton introduced a new legislative instrument which will increase the minimum points required for skilled visa applications.

Here are the details:

- minimum points required increased from 60 to 65 points, effective 1 July 2018

- the changes will apply to all Expression of Interest (EOI) applications which has yet to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) as of 30 June 2018

- EOI applications which received an ITA before 1 July 2018 will still be able to submit a visa application, within the 60 days from invitation

- the changes will affect the following visas:

> Skilled-Independent (Permanent) (Class SI) Subclass 189

> Skilled-Nominated (Permanent) (Class SN) Subclass 190

> Skilled-Regional Sponsored (Provisional) (Class SP) Subclass 489

This is a SIGNIFICANT policy change, especially for applicants who are just meeting the points requirements at 60 points for State Nominated applications (subclass 190 or 489).

If you are affected, you will need to increase your points before you can receive an ITA after 30 June 2018. Contact Work Visa Lawyers if you need to assess your situation for points.

Further updates:

Immigration SA has initiated a priority processing of lodged applications. Please refrain from contacting Immigration SA to allow the team time to process outstanding state nomination applications. You can obtain more information here.

Sources:

https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2018L00920

This information is accurate on 28 June 2018

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