The changes to the points test will include:

• 10 points for Specialist Educational qualifications. Currently 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). Currently 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. These points are relevant to applicants for a Subclass 489 visa or the new Subclass 491 visa. Currently 10 points.

When all points except partner qualifications are equal, invitations will be ranked in the following 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.

The 491 is a five-year visa. You can access permanent residence through the Subclass 191 (Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional)) visa when the following is met:

• You have lived, worked or studied in the designated regional area for at least three years, whilst holding a 491 visa, and
• You can show earnings of at least $53,900 annually for three years. If you have a partner included in your 491 application, only one of you needs to show the three years of annual salary (through tax returns) at or above $53,900. Your partner can be the main applicant for the 191 visa if they can demonstrate meeting this requirement.

10 September 2019	Final day for any state and territory government to nominate and for invitations to be issued for a subclass 489 visa.
15 November 2019	Final day for people who have been invited to apply for a subclass 489 visa to lodge a subclass 489 visa application.
16 November 2019	Applicants can lodge an EOI for the subclass 491 visa.State and territory governments can nominate and issue invitations to subclass 491 visa applicants. Applicants issued with an invitation can lodged a subclass 491 visa application.

Overall, these modifications in the 491 visa seem to give enhanced possibilities in regional Australia for qualified migrants. In the past, however, assurances of priority processing and a higher number of qualified occupations were only characteristic features of regional migration programs to have been gradually removed.

For fresh visa holders, this greatest negative is a longer wait for permanent residency. If you are eligible for the present subclass 489 visa, you should consider applying now as you will have to wait for an additional year before you are eligible for permanent residency. Unless you’re waiting to become qualified for your nominated job or want to settle.

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