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Major update from DHA on partner points
Information updated on 12 Dec 2025: - If applicant claimed single points at the time of invitation (189/190/491) they must be single until their visa grant. - Even if applicant married skilled partner (skills assessment and competent English) after the invitation and before the grant will not give 10 points to the applicant and visa will be refused. - This is because the partner must already have been included and have nominated an occupation at the time of invitation for those partner points to count.
New Subclass 189 Selection Model — Simple Explanation
Australia has a limit (ceiling) on how many people can be invited for each occupation under the Skilled Independent (subclass 189) visa.
How the occupation limit works:
- First, department fills occupation places through other visas such as: • Employer Sponsored visas • State Nominated visas (190) • Regional visas (491/494)
- Only the leftover places (if any) are then used for the 189 visa.
- These limits are managed at a broader occupation group level (not very specific job titles).
How department decides how many places each occupation gets;
Department looks at: • How many people are already working in that occupation (using government employment data), and • Multiplies that number by a percentage, depending on how important or scarce the occupation is.
The result is the maximum number of 189 visas that can be given for that occupation.
Occupation Tiers Explained Simply
🔵 Tier 1 – Most critical occupations • Multiplier: 4% • These are very important, hard-to-fill jobs. • They usually take many years of training. • Examples: Doctors, medical specialists, researchers * Highest chance of selection.
🟢 Tier 2 – High priority occupations • Multiplier: 2% • Important jobs needed urgently. • Training time is usually shorter than Tier 1. • Examples: Teachers * Good chance of selection.
🟡 Tier 3 – General occupations • Multiplier: 1% • Most occupations fall here. • Ensures Australia has workers across many fields. * Moderate to limited number of invitations.
🔴 Tier 4 – Oversupplied occupations • Multiplier: 0.5% • Jobs where Australia already has many workers or many visa holders. • Invites only a small number to avoid oversupply. * Lowest chance under 189.
Example of calculating and filling occupation ceilings - 2411 Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teachers
Full Policy Document here
📄 Variations in Processing Times Processing times vary for many reasons, including: - If applications have all necessary supporting documents. - If applications are lodged online or as a paper applications – applying online helps streamline processing. - How quickly responses for further information are provided. - How long it takes to receive information from external agencies, particularly relating to health, character and national security requirements. - For permanent visa applications, the number of places available in the migration program. - The complexity of a visa application. - The number of visa applications increases or decreases. - Changes to Ministerial Directions. - Deciding older applications increases processing times.
How to add Newborn baby to visa application ? Newborn Passport colour scan, Form 1436, Form 1229 and Newborn Birth certificate (with english translation), attach them and type the below in email body.
Dear Sir/Madam, I have applied for a SC 491/189/190 visa (select the visa type). I need to add my new born baby to this application. Attached herewith are the relevant documents.
Could you please be kind enough to add my (baby age) days old newborn baby to my application together with the medicals request (if required) and provide us our visa grant. Below are our application details:
EOI ID : XXXXXXX Invitation ID : XXXXX Reference No : XXXXX
Your support on this matter is highly appreciated. Thank You Best Regards,
Send to email address: gsm.allocated@homeaffairs.gov.au
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Notes from TAS Webinar today - TAS 491 OSOP Pathway (for offshore) not open yet, an occupation list will be released if/when it opens. Submit EOI (no ROI), wait for invite, if invited then lodge ROI. - Offshore ONLY have the option of 190 Health/Teaching Job Offer Pathway. There is no other option at the moment. - TAS sometimes does withdraw nomination even after full nomination, if fraud is found to have taken place. - ECT working in kindergarten is not Gold pass (but is still high priority), Gold is only for ECTs working in Schools. - If you want to change the attributes you have claimed, you need to withdraw current ROI, and submit new one with correct attributes. - TAS still waiting on state nomination allocation from DHA. - When TAS looks at an application and it doesn’t meet the claimed requirements, then still try to see if you meet some other pathway/subclass requirements - TAS Eligibility Checker tool is work in progress (to incorporate updates). Will be released soon. - To meet $57K income requirement, you CAN NOT combine more than 1 job. It has to be 1 job, you can claim your highest paying job. - Visa Expiring Soon and waiting for invite? TAS CAN NOT priortise your application on this basis. But if you have received pre-invite, and waiting for Nomination, then TAS can possibly assist you in expediting your application (email them). - What takes priority? Attribute color or score? Priority goes to highest SCORE. - When will Orange pass be invited? It all depends on how much allocation, and how many Gold, Green Orange Plus Orange in queue. Invitations are issued based on SCORE. - Can not accept Salary BACKPAY to meet new salary requirements. Clock start when you actually start getting the new higher rate, can’t backdate.
Email: skilled@migration.tas.gov.au
TAS Pay Level Clarification You asked Migration Tasmania for clarification about their newly announced salary threshold of $28.85 per hour (or $57,000 per year), noting that this rate exceeds the Fair Work Commission's base rate of $28.12 per hour for Level 4 Chefs and Cooks. You highlighted that this creates confusion since over 70% of Chefs and Cooks in Tasmania work at or near the Fair Work base rate of $28.12/hour.
Migration Tasmania's Response: They clarified that: The wage threshold is set at 75% of the TSMIT (Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold) This $28.85 per hour rate is specifically for the sc491 and sc190 Tasmanian Skilled Employment pathways only The priority attributes system allows them to prioritize candidates with higher wages who are more likely to settle long-term in Tasmania There is a viable pathway for candidates paid below the wage threshold, but they would be prioritized accordingly The wage threshold does not seek to align with industrial award wages
Key Takeaway: Migration Tasmania is intentionally setting their visa pathway threshold higher than Fair Work minimum wages as a policy choice to prioritize higher-earning candidates, rather than aligning with industry award rates. Lower-paid workers can still apply but will have lower priority in the system.
Note on TAS Pay and Salary Attributes To meet pay or salary priority attributes, the relevant income threshold must have been met for at least the last three months prior to submitting a Registration of Interest (ROI) and have continued until application lodgement. Only base salary is considered when calculating eligibility. It no longer includes penalties for weekends, public holidays, or work outside regular hours and commissions.
Evidence of functional English s56 Request You are required to provide evidence of functional English or pay the second instalment of the visa application charge (second VAC).
If you have decided to pay the second VAC, attach a letter to your application in ImmiAccount and you will be provided with more information about when to make this payment.
To prove that you have functional English you must provide evidence of one of the following: - You are the holder of a valid passport issued by the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada, New Zealand or the Republic of Ireland and you are a citizen of that country. - An International English Language Testing System (IELTS) average band score of at least 4.5 based on the four test components of speaking, reading, writing and listening. The test must be completed not more than 12 months before lodging the visa application or can be completed during visa application processing. - A Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT) total band score of at least 32 based on the four test components of speaking, reading, writing and listening. The test must be completed not more than 12 months before lodging the visa application or can be completed during visa application processing. - A Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic overall band score of at least 30 based on the four test components of speaking, reading, writing and listening. The test must be completed not more than 12 months before lodging the visa application or can be completed during visa application processing. - A Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) test result with an overall score of at least 147 across the four test components. The test must have been conducted on or after 1 January 2015. The test must be completed not more than 12 months before lodging the visa application or can be completed during visa application processing. - An Australian Assessment of Communicative English Skills (ACCESS) test result at the functional level, certified by the relevant testing body. The test must be completed not more than 12 months before lodging the visa application or can be completed during visa application processing. - You have completed all years of primary education and at least three years of secondary education at educational institutions in which all instruction was conducted in English. - You have completed at least five years of secondary education at institutions in which all instruction was conducted in English. - You have successfully completed, in Australia, at least one year of full-time or equivalent part-time study towards a degree, higher degree, diploma, or associate diploma at an institution or institutions where all the instruction was conducted in English. - You hold an award (being a degree, higher degree, diploma or trade certificate) that required at least two years of full-time study or training and all instruction (including instruction received in other courses for which you were allowed credit) for that award was conducted in English.
Note on Functional English (1) For points tested visas like 189,190 & 491, English test results are valid for 3 years, not 2 years from the test/result date, “IF” you are claiming points for it.
(2) For spouse’s Functional English requirements, which DOES NOT give you any points, you must present a Functional English test result which is at least 12 months valid from the visa application submission date. If the Functional English test result is more than 12 months old, your spouse must either give a new English test, and get at least a Functional level score, or prove their English eligibility via other means like a letter from your spouse’s educational institutes (university, college etc) which states that the medium of education in that particular institution is English.
If you cannot do what is mentioned in point # 2, then you must pay an additional fee of around AUD 5k for your spouse’s English skills requirements in order to get a visa grant.
News update on FY2025-26 Planning Level The number of people entering Australia through the permanent migration program will remain unchanged, with the government maintaining its annual cap of 185,000 people.
It was confirmed on Tuesday morning that the 2025-2026 intake will remain at the same level and settings as the 2024-2025 program, with a focus on skilled migration.
The government said it has undertaken consultations with the states and territories, which recommended maintaining the size and composition of the program.
The Department of Home Affairs has reportedly been processing visas based on last year's level, so there has been no change to the program's operations, according to the government.
The government's migration program and intake have been the source of protest, with thousands marching on the weekend across the nation over what they perceived to be high levels of immigration.
Read here
Responding to S56 Requests: When responding to an S56, please make sure you follow the steps below:
𝐑𝐞-𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐬 (𝐒𝟓𝟔): After completing your medicals, please wait until the status of each applicant in the Health Assessment section changes to “𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐝 – 𝐧𝐨 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝.” Only once you see this status for all applicants, click the 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐦 button to declare that you have provided all the requested documents. *If you click the button before the status is updated, your case officer (CO) may open your file and see that your status is still pending, which could result in delays.
𝐑𝐞-𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐬 + 𝐀𝐅𝐏/𝐏𝐂𝐂/𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐄𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐞𝐭𝐜.: Upload all the documents requested. After completing your medicals, wait until the status of each applicant in the Health Assessment section changes to “𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐝 – 𝐧𝐨 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝.” *Only after uploading all documents and seeing this status in the Health Assessment section, click the 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐦 button. Please do not click it earlier.
𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐞 (𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬): Whether or not you have received an S56, and even if your CO has not specifically requested them, if any of your documents (such as AFP, PCC, Polio Certificate, or passport with at least 6 months validity) are close to expiry, please apply for updated versions in advance and upload them to your Immi portal. Do not rely on the myth that you don’t need to update these documents—there is no harm in uploading the latest versions.
PTE Scoring Changes from 7 Aug 2025 For scores dated 07 August 2025 and onwards, in each of test components, atleast: - Superior: 69 for listening, 70 for reading, 85 for writing and 88 for speaking - Proficient: 58 for listening, 59 for reading, 69 for writing and 76 for speaking - Competent: 47 for listening, 48 for reading, 51 for writing and 54 for speaking
What to do if regional address and employment record is requested for 491/494 visa holder who is not arrived in Australia? If an applicant has not yet arrived or settled in Australia, they need to provide a statement of explanation and either upload the explanation to ImmiAccount or forward to skilled.support@homeaffairs.gov.au with the following details: - full name - date of birth - application number (BCC/TRN) - passport number Their ImmiAccount will then be updated by the Skilled Support team, and the Regional Contact Details form will no longer be required.
Kind regards, Skilled and Migration Program
GOLDEN INFO TO SHARE for WA Nomination! I was struggling waiting for my nomination with my visa about to expire. I wrote for minister Burke (home affairs) many times, until I realize the Migration WA sits under a different directory and department, Its called Department of Training and Workforce Development. I sent an email to the secretary and also the minister, my nomination was done at the same day. Maybe worth it a try, I wrote a very good and appealing letter and then I got my nomination. Migration WA and home affairs are obviously connected, however the nomination is the responsibility of Migration WA and not home affairs... Good lucky everyone.
Emails: Minister.Sanderson@dpc.wa.gov.au Daren : darren.channell@dtwd.wa.gov.au
Documents submitted by someone who got WA nomination approval: 1) Bank statements 2) Statuary declaration from the lease holder that I am an occupant 3) Some random letters from my bank with an address of Perth. (Debit card letter, credit check letter) 4) My job contract stating that I should live in Perth and work in Perth office. 5) Salary slips with Perth address 6) Statuary declaration from myself stating that I am a resident of Perth along with dates of when I moved. 7) Airline ticket from when I moved to Perth 9) Insurance state conversion email and documents.
You have Received a Message in SkillSelect: Open your EOI to find out. It could be one of the following things: • Expiry of EOI • Decrease in points due to age increase where you have shifted from one age group to another age group (like from 25-32 till 33-39) • Expiry of skills assessment • Expiry of English test • Expiry of NAATI CCL exam (if given) • Increase in points due to increase in work experience
Request your immigration records using a FOI request You can request your own immigration records under Freedom of Information (FOI) request.
This includes your visa application history, refusal letter, reasons for refusal, and any other documents attached to your application.
Visit the Department of Home Affairs FOI page 1. Click on “Make an FOI request” and follow the instructions. 2. For example, you can request:
A copy of all documents, including the decision record, refusal letter, and any reasons for refusal, relating to my previous spouse visa application lodged by [your full name] and date of birth [your DOB].
Clarification on Subclass 191 (Regional Provisional Stream) Residency Requirements The MIA Professional Support team has received several enquiries from members regarding eligibility requirements for the Subclass 191 (Regional Provisional stream) visa. Specifically, questions have been raised about whether, when applying for a Subclass 191 visa, an applicant must have resided in a designated regional area for three years, or whether it is sufficient to have held a Subclass 491 or Subclass 494 for three years.
The MIA sought formal clarification from the Department of Home Affairs on this issue.
The Department has confirmed that the key requirement for the SC191 visa is that applicants must have complied with visa condition 8579 during their time in Australia. The visa does not require applicants to have resided in Australia for a specific period.
Condition 8579 requires Subclass 491 and Subclass 494 visa holders to live, work, and study only in a designated regional area while they are in Australia. For Subclass 494 visa holders, subclause (5) also considers any changes in the nomination of the primary visa holder.
Condition 8579 complements other provisional visa requirements including maintaining sponsorship from a regional employer (subclass 494) or securing a nomination from a State or Territory Government (subclass 491). Further, each State and Territory government sets its own nomination criteria for the Subclass 491 visa. These may include requirements to demonstrate regional experience and a commitment to continued residence in the nominating jurisdiction.
Source: Migration Institute of Australia (MIA)
NT Financial Support As per our website, applicants are required to have sufficient financial capacity to settle in the NT in accordance with the guide provided. While evidence of financial capacity is not required, applicants must declare in the application for nomination that they hold financial capacity in those amounts, and it is important that this declaration is made honestly.
The NT Government is not responsible for providing financial support to nominated visa holders, and as such, it is very important that applicants are able to support themselves on arrival.