State and Territory Nominations for Skilled Visas Boost in January 2024

The Australian Department of Home Affairs has released data on state and territory nominations for skilled visas for January 2024, revealing a promising increase compared to previous months. This news could be welcome for aspiring migrants seeking permanent residency through the Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) and Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) pathways.

Key Takeaways:

• Overall Nominations: The total number of nominations across all states and territories increased significantly compared to previous months, especially for subclass 491.
• State-by-State Breakdown: Victoria and Western Australia lead the way with the highest number of nominations for both subclasses, followed by New South Wales and Queensland. Smaller states like Tasmania and the ACT also saw notable increases.
• Skilled Nominated (subclass 190): This visa offers permanent residency and saw a rise in nominations across most states, with Victoria taking the top spot and Queensland experiencing a significant jump.
• Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491): This visa offers a pathway to permanent residency after meeting regional work requirements. Nominations for this subclass saw a remarkable increase, particularly in New South Wales, Western Australia, and Victoria.

Possible Reasons for the Increase:

• Increased processing capacity: The department may have increased its processing capacity for state and territory nominations, leading to faster turnaround times and encouraging additional nominations.
• Strategic shifts by states: Individual states might be adjusting their nomination priorities to attract skilled workers in specific sectors or regions, leading to more opportunities for applicants.
• Stronger demand for skilled migration: Australia’s ongoing economic growth and skills shortage might be leading to increased demand from states and territories to attract skilled workers through these pathways.

What it Means for Skilled Migrants:

This rise in nominations is encouraging news for aspiring migrants seeking permanent residency through these pathways. It potentially indicates increased opportunities for those with the right skills and qualifications, especially in regional areas.

However, it’s crucial to remember that:

• Competition for nominations can still be high, depending on your chosen occupation and state/territory.
• Meeting eligibility requirements and obtaining sufficient points remain essential for securing a nomination.
• Seeking professional guidance from migration experts can increase your chances of success.

To discuss the latest updates on state and territory nomination trends and visa processing times, please get in touch with our expert team at aisupport@absoluteimmigration.com to arrange an online consultation.