Last week the Premier of Western Australia announced that the requirements for international student graduates to be nominated for a Subclass 190 – Skilled - Nominated visa or a Subclass 491 – Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa would be reduced along with adding trade occupation to their Graduate Occupation List so local graduates of vocational education (VET) courses can also apply.

A report released late last week by the Senate Standing Committees on Legal and Constitutional Affairs recommends that a bill is passed that will see 491 – Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa and 494 – Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa holders be deemed ‘Australian residents’ for the purposes of accessing welfare and other government services.