Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1: I claimed single status in my EOI, received an invitation and lodged my visa. I heard that points get frozen at time of invitation. So, can I get married or enter into a de-facto relationship after lodging visa, but before grant of the visa ?

2: Whatsapp Group Links

3: Can I move states after receiving my 491 visa approval?

4: Why are SkillSelect LODGED visa statistics different from the same data obtained from Freedom of Information Requests ?

5: How to interpret the SkillSelect Dashboard data?

6: How can I check the latest invitations and visa grants data for my occupation on SmartVisaGuide ?

7: How is the visa processing time estimated on SmartVisaGuide?

8: List of useful phone numbers and email addresses

9: How is skilled employment assessed for a Subclass 189, 190 and 491 skilled visa ?

10: How many Expression of Interest (EOIs) should I submit ?

11: What is SkillSelect Date of Effect for an Expression of Interest (EOI) ?

12: Can you share tips on writing a letter of commitment for Northern Territory (NT) offshore nomination ?

13: What is condition 8579 ?

14: What are my chances for a subclass 189, 190 and 491 skilled visa ?

15: Which states can I apply for a subclass 190 and 491 visa for my occupation?

16: What is Ministerial Direction 105 and how is the visa processing priority determined ?

17: What documents are required to prove WA residency for state nomination?

18: Do I need to renew my Police Clearance Certificate (PCC)?

19: What is Ministerial Direction Number 111?

20: What evidence of employment can be requested in a S56 request for a 189, 190 and 491 skilled visa ?

21: How can I claim 5 points for partner skills assessment for Subclass 189, 190 and 491 visa?

22: What is Ministerial Direction 109 and how is the visa processing priority determined ?

23: Which states require a Registration of Interest (ROI) for subclass 190 and 491 nomination ?

24: Do I need new EOIs and ROIs for FY2024-25?

25: What are the school fees for dependents of 491 visa holders?

26: What does an Offshore SA preinvite look like?

27: Do I need to submit a Registration of Interest (ROI) for SA?

28: What documents are required from the sponsor for NT Family Sponsored Stream ?

29: How does DHA calculate visa processing time?

30: How to see the expected visa grant date for your 189, 190 or 491 visa application?

31: I am on 491 visa. Can I do remote work for a CBD based employer?

32: Can I move from my nominating state after the 190 visa grant?

33: What are the key steps to undertake after receiving a subclass 189, 190 or 491 visa grant for offshore applicants?

34: What is an ANZSCO unit group?

35: What documents are required to submit a SkillSelect Expression of Interest (EOI) ?

36: What documents are required to prove my claimed work experience for a 491/190/189 visa?

37: Grattan Institute Reformed Points System

38: What are Skill Levels 1, 2 and 3?

39: What is Commencement email and Request for Further Information (RFI)?

40: I live in a border community in VIC and work in NSW. Can I apply for VIC nomination?

41: What does an Assessment Commencement Letter look like?

42: I can see there are lot more EOIs for occupation X compared to occupation Y. So is occupation X more competitive compared to Y ?

43: I have received a NSW 491 grant (RDA Sydney). Can I move to other Designated Regional Areas (DRA) in Australia ?

44: Who can be a sponsor for 491 Family Sponsored visa ?

45: What is Planning Level and State Nomination Allocation ?

46: What is a closely related occupation?

47: My salary was paid in cash. How can I prove my work experience claims ?

48: My visa is delayed and I am lodging a complaint. Can you share some tips and tricks?

49: If Tuberculosis (TB) is found during medical test for a skilled visa 189, 190 or 491, is the visa application rejected?

50: State Occupation Lists for Subclass 190 and 491 Nomination

51: What is Ministerial Direction 100 and how is the visa processing priority determined ?

52: What is 8515 visa condition?

53: Is my occupation on visa processing priority list?

54: Do Department of Home Affairs and Australian Taxation Office share data for visa applicants with each other ?

55: What does my visa status mean ?

56: I have received a state nomination preinvite from Western Australia. What documents are typically required to be submitted for nomination ?

57: What is Functional English ?

58: What is Competent English ?

59: Are EOI points and Canberra Matrix points the same ?

60: WA: Can you provide me a sample of the Third Party Work letter template for subclass 190 state nomination ?

61: WA: I have received further correspondence from WA migration to explain how my job is related or closely related to my occupation. I am working within my field (Accounting) already. They are asking this question to many people. Can you write me a sample letter explaining this ?

62: How do I show evidence of work experience obtained after obtaining a valid skill assessment ?

63: What is a Health Waiver for the purposes of Skilled Migration ?

64: I am applying for subclass 491 visa for South Australia Outer Regional Stream. One of the requirements is a letter of support from my employer outlining as to why I should be considered for state nomination. Can you write a draft letter for me ?

65: Can you provide a sample letter for VETASSESS to justify the use of NEC category for my occupation?

66: What is the expected 189 cutoff for 233211 Civil Engineer in next round ?

67: What are the documents required for EA skills assessment for accredited qualifications ?

68: I am applying for ACT State Nomination. Should my claimed work experience be assessed as relevant by the assessing body in the points tested skills assessment ?

69: I have received an interview request from VETASSESS for my Customer Service Manager skill assessment. What can I expect in the interview ?

70: What type of documents are requested by Case Officer (CO) for relationship proof ?

71: What documents are required to apply for skill assessment to Engineers Australia for a degree accredited with Washington Accord?

72: What do career episodes for EA skill assessment consist of ?

73: What are career episodes for EA Skill Assessment ?

74: What is a summary statement for EA skill assessment ?

75: What is the general criteria for lodging an Expression of Interest (EOI) ?

76: What is the minimum income threshold for a 491/191 visa ?

77: What can I do if I am unable to provide an employment reference letter for ACS Skill Assessment ?

78: Is a job offer required for a 491 visa?

79: Do I need health insurance or will I get Medicare on 491 visa ?

80: Am I allowed to visit a non-designated regional area like Sydney or Melbourne on a 491 visa ?

81: If I have received a PR grant letter from VIC, does it mean I have to make my first entry to Australia in Victoria itself?

82: What if I choose the wrong ANZSCO Code for ACS Skill Assessment ?

83: I was working In more than one job at the same time. Can I claim for both periods of employment?

84: Can I submit EOI without clearing an English Language Test or Skill Assessment ?

85: What are some factors affecting the visa processing time ?

86: What are some reasons for Permanent Residency (PR) visa application rejection ?

87: What is the Engineers Australia (EA) Non Accredited qualifications suitability criteria ?

88: What documents are required for EA Skills Assessment for Non-Accredited qualifications ?

89: Why isn't my Relevant Skilled Employment reflected, or only partially reflected, on the outcome letter ?

90: How to mirror a visa application into your IMMI account?

91: What is Thapa v Minister for Immigration [2021] FCCA 686 ?

92: Can you provide a list of Designated Regional Area (DRA) postcodes ?

93: Do I need to work in my field when I have the 491 visa?

94: What are Engineering Australia (EA) Skills Assessment Pathways ?

95: What is a Competency Demonstration Report (CDR)?

96: Can you show me the RDA map for NSW 491 visa ?

97: What documents are required for applying NSW 491 Pathway 1 (RDA) State Nomination?

98: How to write the RPL report ?

99: When can you request VETASSESS Priority Processing ?