Minimum points score, but minimum Invitations
Implementing the announced shift in focus to the Australian government’s budget, only 110 calls were issued in the October 21 round.
A small 30 calls were issued to Subsection 189 Talented Independent Believers and 80 calls were sent to Subsection 491 Skilled Work Regional (Family Financing) applicants.
Surprisingly, the minimum points score for both visa options is 65 points. The latest EOI for 189 visas was documented in September 2020, and the latest EOI for 491 was from April this year.
According to previous rounds, none of the pro-Rata occupations received calls. So where did they go?
According to the industry ceiling schedule, there were:
- 79 registered nurses;
- 14 other medical practitioners;
- 13 internal medicine specialists;
- 2 psychologists; And
- 1 Medical laboratory scientist.
Total: 109
This leaves an unaccounted call, which may have been sent to the health-related profession based on historical circuit information.
The advice of Acacia
Invitational rounds will remain small for the remaining fiscal year as there is a large reduction in the allocation of subsection 189 in the 2020-21 plan. At this point, the focus is not on the career score, but on the points score, so those with talent in key areas are more likely to get the call.
Applicants who are not in the targeted occupations should reconsider their options as they may have to wait until a new program year (i.e. after July 2021) for chances under the 189 Visa Stream.