Victoria has announced it will reserve 5,491 sponsorship places for international students studying in the state. This includes those on a Student 500 Visa and 485 Graduate Visa. Additionally, international students no longer need to meet the regional work experience requirement, making Melbourne-based students eligible for sponsorship.
Australia’s Priority Processing Direction 109 outlines new guidelines for processing skilled visas like the 189 Skilled Independent Visa and the 190 Skilled Nominated Visa. Processing will prioritize onshore applicants in construction, teaching, and healthcare. While this update was briefly removed from the Department of Home Affairs’ website, it is expected to return soon.
If your occupation does not appear on the new Skilled Occupation List (CSOL), you can still apply for the 186 Employee Nomination Scheme Visa via the transition stream. However, direct entry stream applicants must be on the list, so it’s crucial to act quickly.