//Introduction//

On February 14, 2024, the Immigration Department released an update on the usage of state nominations for visa subclasses 190 and 491. Some states are continuing to issue invitations...

Yesterday, the Immigration Department's official website updated the situation regarding invitations issued by each state, with data up to January 31, 2024. Due to limited quotas for this fiscal year, states are adopting a cautious approach to nominations.

ACT

Subclass 190/491 Still Have Over 100 Places; Invitations Mostly for Education, Healthcare, IT, Engineering, and VET Occupations

NSW

NSW New South Wales (NSW) is the most conservative state in terms of quota usage this fiscal year. Last week's invitations were primarily extended to occupations in engineering, IT, early childhood education, nursing, and marketing. Invitations were given for both niche occupations with demand from both onshore and offshore candidates. The data presented here does not yet include students who received invitations on February 9. Given the current quota availability and invitation pace, it appears that NSW will gradually exhaust its quota before the end of the fiscal year.

VIC

Victoria issued its first invitations of the year in January, a trend similar to the previous fiscal year. Victoria particularly values applicants with additional points for having a spouse, with one invitation spot allocated to two outstanding applicants. The Victorian government's allocation strategy seems robust. Internal data reveals that from pre-invitation to formal invitation, occupations in demand receive invitations within just a few hours, while others typically receive formal invitations within a week. Currently, there are over 700 places available for the 190 visa and over 200 places for the 491 visa. It is anticipated that there will be one or two rounds of invitations. As of now, Victoria has not announced the closing date for this fiscal year, so interested individuals should act promptly to apply.

QLD

Similar to previous years, Queensland's quota allocations are limited and invitations are issued at a slower pace. It is estimated that there are still over 200 places available for both the 190 and 491 visas. Invitations received this month include positions such as mechanical engineers with 85+5 points and data analysis roles with 100 points. Applicants who can secure positions in Queensland are truly exceptional, and opportunities await those who are prepared!

WA & NT

Western Australia (WA) closed its invitation process for this fiscal year on February 2nd due to the extensive invitations sent to applicants in the construction industry in previous rounds. With the current limited remaining quota, it is necessary to reserve quotas for pre-invited applicants. Northern Territory (NT) had even fewer allocations and closed applications early at the end of the 23rd fiscal year. Students in these two states must patiently wait for the start of the next fiscal year for new opportunities.

SA

In the current fiscal year, South Australia's 491 visa still has 47.3% of its quota available, with over 500 places, and the 190 visa has over 200 places remaining.

Priority invitations are given to:

1. Temporary visa holders expiring before August 31, 2024.

2. Applicants aged 45 or below by August 31, 2024.

3. Those with extensive work experience in South Australia.

4. Applicants from priority industries (health and medical, trade and construction, early childhood education, digital technology, food and agriculture, creative industries, and tourism and hospitality).

Based on invitation results, the focus is primarily on individuals whose work visas, such as 408 and 485, are expiring soon. The closer the expiration date, the higher the priority, but this mainly applies to 491 visa holders with a job offer.

The quotas are similar to those of Queensland, with nomination processing extending to applications lodged on February 1, 2024. The Tasmanian government website has also updated the usage status of the 190 and 491 visas for this fiscal year. Currently, there are 165 places available for the 190 visa and 296 places for the 491 visa. Tasmania has reverted to prioritizing job-related criteria this fiscal year, emphasizing the need for applicants to be engaged in skilled work. Otherwise, nominations are unlikely to be considered.

TAS