Australia cuts down skilled migrant visa places for 2019-20

Australia announced its federal budget on 2nd April 2019. During the budget, the Govt. also announced the reduction of skilled migrant visa places for 2019-20.

In 2019-20 only 108,682 spots have been allocated to skilled migrant visas. In comparison, the allocation for 2018-19 was 128,550 which was 20,000 more than 2019-20.

Out of the 108,682 visa places for skilled migrants only 18,652 have been allocated to Skilled Independent Visas. The Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) allows migrants to live and work anywhere in Australia.

In 2019-20, 23,000 visa places have been assigned to Regional Visas. 24,968 visa places have been allocated to the State and Territory Nominated Visas. Visa holders would be required to live outside Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and Gold Coast among others.

The annual intake for 2019-20 has been capped at 160,000. 47,732 visa spots have been assigned to the Family Stream. 236 places have been set aside for special eligibility. Child Visas were not subject to a ceiling earlier. However, in the current migration program, 3,350 visa places have been allocated to the same, as per SBS News.

Here is the breakup of Skilled Migrant Visas for 2019-20:

Skill Stream

Employer-Sponsored 30000

Skilled Independent 18,652

Regional Visas

Skilled Employed-Sponsored 9,000

Skilled Work Regional 14,000

State and Territory Nominated 24,968

Business Innovation & Investment Program 6,862

Global Talent 5,000

Distinguished Talent 200

Skill Total 108,682

Y-Axis offers a wide range of visa services and products for aspiring overseas immigrants including General skilled migration – Subclass 189 /190/489 with RMA review, General skilled migration – Subclass 189 /190/489, Work Visa for Australia, and Business Visa for Australia. We work with Registered Migration Agents in Australia. If you are looking to Visit, Study, Work, Invest or Migrate to Australia, talk to Y-Axis, the World’s No.1 Immigration & Visa Consultant.

If you found this blog engaging, you may also like…

Cutting down immigration nos. is based on past experiences: Morrison