More good news this week for people hoping to submit skilled migration visas in Australia! The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and Northern Territory (NT) have now opened their 2022-23 Skilled Migration Programs. This means that eligible applicants can now lodge applications for state-nominated visas, including the Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa and Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) visa. The announcements come amid reports that Australia’s migration cap could be increased in the near future due to skill shortages across the country.
Here’s what you need to know about the territories’ programs and how to apply.
Read more:
- What is General Skilled Migration and State Nomination?
- Victoria’s 2022-23 Skilled Migration Program is Now Open
Applying for skilled migration in the ACT
As of 10 August 2022, the ACT has launched its Canberra Matrix Invitation Round. Every month, a certain number of nomination invitations are available (prorated on the annual allocation) to those working in the highest ranked Matrix in each occupation.
For the 2022-23 Program, the ACT has received an interim allocation of:
- 800 places for the 190 visa
- 1920 places for the subclass 491 visa
At the time of this writing, the number of remaining nomination places in the ACT is as follows:
- 720 (prorated 68 per month) for the 190 visa
- 1805 (prorated 170 per month) for the 491 visa
You can also learn more about the ACT’s most in-demand skills for skilled migration by consulting the ACT Critical Skills List, which was last updated on 11 July 2022.
Applying for skilled migration in the NT
On 12 August 2022, the NT announced that it has received an interim allocation of skilled migration nominations for 2022-23. The number of nomination places has not been specified. While the government is currently accepting onshore applications, offshore applications remain closed for now. A date for the reopening of offshore applications is set to be announced soon.
The NT advises eligible applicants to apply as soon as they meet the eligibility criteria. To receive a nomination from the NT Government, you must:
- Meet the Australian Government’s requirements
- Meet the NT Government’s nomination eligibility criteria
- Commit to living and working in the NT in your skilled occupation for a minimum of three years following the grant of your visa.
Read more: How Long Will it Take to Get My Visa? Understanding Australia’s Visa Processing Delays
