The new financial year started and changes were announced for the Australian Immigration programs in 2021 and 2022. We put a recap together with updates to keep you informed.
Australian Immigration changes 2021 and 2022
To begin with, let’s talk about the number of places allocated for permanent visas for the financial year 2021-2022. The Government has announced 160,000 places for this year, which is the same number as the previous year and even the year before the pandemic. What has changed is the planning levels of each visa program.
Planning Levels 2020 – 2021
- Partner Visa – 73,000 (same as FY 2019-2020)
- Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) – 6500 (-61% change from FY 2019-2020)
- Skilled work Regional Visa (Subclass 491) – 11,200 (-55% change from FY 2019-2020)
- Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190) – 11,200 (-55% change from FY 2019-2020)
- Employer Sponsored Visa (Subclass 186)- (-27% change from FY 2019-2020)
- Business and Investment Visa (Subclass 188) – 13,500 (96% change from FY 2019-2020)
- Global Talent Visa – 15,000 (200% change from FY 2019-2020)
- Distinguished Talent Visa – 200 (0 change from FY 2019-2020)
Regional visas
Both Regional visas Programs (491 and 190) have received 11,200 places each for this new financial year. However, these allocations are distributed between each subclass and allocated within each state and territory of Australia. Here are the numbers:
NSW
Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa – 4,000 places
Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) visa – 3,640 places
QLD
Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa – 1,000 places
Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) visa – 1,250 places
SA
Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa – 2,600 places
Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) visa – 2,600 places
TAS
Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa – 1,100 places
Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) visa – 2,200 places
VIC
Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa – 3,500 places
Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) visa – 500 places
WA
Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa – 1,100 places
Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) visa – 340 places
ACT
Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa – 600 places
Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) visa – 1400 places
NT
Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa – 500 places
Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) visa – 500 places
Along with the numbers, states and territories have also published updates and new criteria/requirements for the coming year. If you want to check it, please have a look at this blog post Australian Skilled Migration Program 2021-2022 – State by state
If you want to find out the specific requirements for NSW for each of the regional visas please read:
NSW 190 visa changes on the occupation lists and requirements for 2021-2022
NSW Occupation Lists and requirements for the 491 visa – 2021 and 2022
Global Talent Visa
The Australian government is investing AUD$550 million in the next 4 years to attract highly talented individuals who have achieved international recognition in their careers, to live and work permanently in Australia. A Global Talent Attraction Taskforce was also created to attract professionals in high-value services and future-focused targeted sectors and to help grow a stronger economy after the COVID-19 pandemic.
If you want to understand how the Global Talent Visa works, please check this blog post: Global Talent Visa Australia – everything you need to know!
If you wish to apply for a visa in Australia, please contact us. We have worked on over 5,000 visa applications, so we have the experience you are looking for. We make immigration and visa applications easy and cost-effective.
We look forward to being part of your Australian visa journey!
