Changes to the Australian Skilled Migration points test from November 2019

The Australian government has announced changes to the Skilled Migration Points Test that would be effective from 16 November 2019.

The changes to the points Test will apply to both new applicants who apply for the newly introduced Subclass 491 visa a well as applicants for a Subclass 189, 190 and 489 who are yet to be assessed under the Points Test. It is expected that the changes to the points test to be beneficial for the applicants; as the changes provide for the award of additional points, no applicant with a pending application will be adversely affected.

The changes to the Australian skilled migration points test include:

15 points – for nomination by a State or Territory government agency or sponsorship by a family member residing in regional Australia, to live and work in regional Australia;
10 points – for a skilled spouse or de facto partner
10 points – for certain Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) qualifications
5 points – for a spouse or de facto partner with ‘competent English’
10 points – for applicants without a spouse or de facto partner

Changes to skillselect invitations for points tested visas

Primary applicants without a partner (singles) will be ranked equally to other primary applicants who have the same human capital attributes. If all other points claims are equal, invitations for points tested visas will be ranked by the Migration Points Test as given below:

First – primary applicants with a skilled spouse or de facto partner
Equal First – primary applicants without a spouse or de facto partner
Second – Primary applicants with a spouse or de facto partner who can demonstrate competent English but does not have the skills for skilled partner points (age and skills)
Third – Primary applicants with a partner who is ineligible for either competent English or Skilled partner points. These applicants will be ranked below all other cohorts, if all other points claims are equal.

What next?

At this stage, there will be many questions regarding the changes. In the coming weeks and months, these questions will be answered when more information becomes available from the Department of Home Affairs. As these changes do not come into effect until 16 November 2019, it is better to wait to get more information regarding the changes.

If you need to contact us regarding assistance with your skilled migration visas, please send us an email (preferred method of contact is email): [email protected] or [email protected]

For further information on these changes, please see: https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2019L00578/Download