494/491 visas: Regional postcodes and certifying bodies registered

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494/491 visas: Regional postcodes and certifying bodies registered

The legislative instrument that consolidates what is defined as a regional area and designated regional area has been registered. This affects a number of visas, but perhaps affect the Subclass 491 – Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa and Subclass 494 – Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visas most. The list of Regional Certifying Bodies (RCBs) for 494 nominations have also been registered.

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494 visas: Occupation list, age and skill exemptions; 186 TRT English exemption disappears; 491 pass mark at 65 points

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494 visas: Occupation list, age and skill exemptions; 186 TRT English exemption disappears; 491 pass mark at 65 points

A number of instruments were registered yesterday, primarily in preparation for the new Subclass 494 – Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa, including the occupation list, and age, skill, and English exemptions. These may turn into a Halloween curse for many as skill assessments will be required for all nominated occupations unless the visa applicant is one of the exempted few. Another concern is that alternative requirements for evidence of English language for Subclass 186 – Employer Sponsored visas under the Temporary Residence Transition stream will be spookily removed. What did not shock was that the minimum number of points for a Subclass 491 – Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa will be set to 65.

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491 and 494 visas: 2,000 more regional visas; regional areas defined; extra year for graduates clarified

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491 and 494 visas: 2,000 more regional visas; regional areas defined; extra year for graduates clarified

Today, the Government announced there will be an increase of 2,000 regional visas due to the high demand and a rise in visa grants in the first quarter of the program year. The regional/non-regional dichotomy will be split into three categories: Major cities, Cities and major regional centres, and Regional centres and all other locations. This will impact the new Subclass 494 – Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa and Subclass 491 – Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa. Incentives for these areas are also explained, including the potential for an additional 2 years for international students who study at a regional university for a Subclass 485 - Temporary Graduate visa under the Post-Study Work stream.

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491/190 visas: WA adds VET course to Graduate Occupation List, job offer and employment experience reduced

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491/190 visas: WA adds VET course to Graduate Occupation List, job offer and employment experience reduced

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.

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