Famished for points in order to submit an EOI and receive an invitation to apply for that visa??
If yes, then get ready, your hunger might be satisfied by the recent changes to the points system.
New legislation introduces changes to the Points Test for the existing General Skilled Migration visas and the new subclass 491 visa. From 16 November 2019 the points test includes:
- 10 points for Specialist Educational qualifications. Used to be 5 points.
- 10 points for applicants with a skilled spouse or de facto partner (under 45 with Competent English, suitable skills assessment and with an occupation on the same skilled occupation list). Used to be 5 points.
- 10 points for applicants who do not have a spouse or de facto partner or who have a spouse or de facto partner who is an Australian citizen or a Permanent resident (New)
- 5 points for applicants with a spouse or de facto partner who has competent English (New)
- 15 points for applicants who are nominated by a State or Territory government, or who are sponsored by a suitable family member to live and work in a designated regional area. This is designed to enhance regional economic development and help those communities to grow. These points are relevant to applicants for a Subclass 489 visa or the new Subclass 491 visa. Used to be 10 points.
- Graduates who complete a qualification in Western Australia (which is now a Designated Regional Area) at Certificate III level or above, including English language intensive courses for overseas students, can claim 5 points for study in regional Australia, if their studies add up to a total of 2 years.
POINTS TIE AND INVITATION RANK:
When all points except partner qualifications are equal, invitations will be ranked in the below order:
- First: applicants with a skilled spouse or de facto partner.
- Equal First: applicants without a spouse or de facto partner.
- Second: applicants with a spouse or de facto partner who demonstrates Competent English but who does not have the skills to obtain skilled partner points.
- Third: Applicants with a spouse or de facto partner who is ineligible for either competent English or Skilled partner points.
SPOUSE POINTS AND POINTS FOR BEING SINGLE!
| Points | |
| Single (Un-married) | 10 |
| Spouse is Australian Citizen or PR holder | 10 |
| Spouse has Positive Skill Assessment and competent English | 10 |
| Spouse has no Skill Assessment but competent English | 5 |
| Other Cases | 0 |
This will make significant difference to existing EOIs who gained extra spouse points in November.
COMPARISON TABLE:
| Factors | Old Points | New Points |
| Nomination by state or territory government or sponsorship by an eligible family member to reside and work in a specified/designated area | 10 | 15 |
| A Master’s degree by research or a Doctorate degree from an Australian educational institution that included at least two academic years in the relevant Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) field | 5 | 10 |
| Spouse or de-facto partner skill qualification | 5 | 10 |
| Spouse or de-facto partner with competent English but not eligible for partner skill qualification points | N/A | 5 |
| Applicants without a spouse/ de-facto partner (single) or with a spouse/ de-facto partner who is an Australian Citizen or Permanent resident. | N/A | 10 |