This applies to Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) and Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) – Family Sponsored visas. Invitation rounds for these subclasses happen once a month and usually occur on the 11th day of each month. However, please note that dates for the rounds may vary. Also the number of invitations given in each round depend on the number of applicants.
Visa Categories that have invitation rounds
- Independent and Skilled Regional (Provisional) visas
- State and territory nominated visas
- Business Innovation and Investment visas
Overview of the current round – 11 April 2020
The most recent round of invitations were issued on 11 April 2020. The table below shows the number of invitations issued:
| VISA SUBCLASS | NUMBER |
| Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) | 50 |
| Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) – Family Sponsored | 50 |
How does it work?
Basically, the more points an applicant has, the higher their rank in points score and so they will be invited to apply for the relevant visa. For clients who have equal points scores, the time at which they reached their points score for that subclass (referred to as the date of effect) determines their order of invitation. Expressions of Interest with earlier dates of effect are invited before later dates. Outlined below is the current minimum points needed for the following subclasses:
| VISA SUBCLASS | MINIMUM POINTS | DATE OF EFFECT |
| Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) | 95 | 25/3/2020 |
| Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) – Family Sponsored | 95 | 10/4/2020 |
How can I apply?
- Use Skill Select to make an expression of interest (EOI) if you are a skilled worker or business person from overseas who wants to migrate to Australia.
- All EOIs must be completed online using Skill Select.
Note: An EOI is not a visa application and there is no fee to create or submit an EOI in Skill Select.
- You may be required to participate in a skills assessment or appropriate points test.
- Your EOI is stored in Skill Select and is valid for 2 years (even if you don’t complete it).
Once you have an EOI, it is your responsibility to update your information. It will be too late to update your EOI if you receive an invitation to lodge a visa application. What you should consider when you update your EOI:
- Did I recently change jobs or gain new work experience?
- Did I recently complete study and achieved a higher qualification?
- Has my English language ability improved?
- Did my family circumstances change?
These changes may affect your points score but it can also improve your ranking! And always remember, it is your responsibility to ensure you don’t provide any incorrect, false or misleading information on your EOI.
Our Registered Migration Agents at Migration Centre of Australia have been in the migration industry for many years and have helped thousands of clients onshore and offshore. We are trained professionals in Australian Migration Law and we are trusted providers in the industry for our services. If you want to know more about invitation rounds and how to make an expression of interest application on Skill Select, contact us today on (02) 4626 1002 or send us an email at info@migrationcentreofaustralia.com.au and one of my registered migration agents will be ready to assist you.
