Minimum Points Score, but Minimal Invitations

Implementing the change in focus announced in the Australian Government's Budget, only 110 invitations were issued in the October round held on the 21st of the month. A minuscule 30 invitations were issued to Subclass 189 Skilled Independent hopefuls, with 80 invites sent to Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Family Sponsored) applicants.

Surprisingly, the minimum points score was 65 points for both visa options. The most recently lodged EOI for a 189 visa was from September 2020, while the most recent EOI for a 491 was from April this year.

Who Received Invitations

As per previous rounds, none of the pro-rata occupations received invitations. So where did they go?

According to the Occupation Ceiling table, there were:

• 79 Registered Nurses;
• 14 Other Medical Practitioners;
• 13 Internal Medicine Specialists;
• 2 Psychologists; and
• 1 Medical Laboratory Scientist.

Total: 109

This leaves one unaccounted-for invitation, though based on historical round information it is also likely to have been sent to a health-related occupation.

Acacia's Advice

Invitations rounds are likely to remain small for the rest of the financial year, due to the large decrease in Subclass 189 quota in the 2020-21 program. At this stage, the focus appears to be on occupation and not on points score, so those with skills in key areas have a higher chance of receiving an invitation.

Applicants who are not in the targeted occupations will need to reconsider their options, as they may be waiting until a new program year (i.e. after July 2021) for opportunities under the 189 visa stream.