Stay Updated on Immigration Changes

The Australian Migration Advisory has been assisting people since 2003. We operate through our Brisbane and Sunshine Coast offices and specialise in providing advice relating to Employer Sponsored, Skilled, Family (including Partner) and Student visa matters.

Whilst providing a streamlined visa application preparation and lodgement service, we also assist our clients who require representation at the AAT or need complex case submissions, such as health, Schedule 3 or sponsorship limitation waivers.

All agents of the Australian Migration Advisory possess a minimum of 10 years experience as Registered Migration Agents and have a success rate greater than 95% across all application types.

Legislation Changes

The following visas were introduced on the 16th of November, 2019:

  • Subclass 491 - Provisional Regional Skilled visa: replacing the current subclass 489 visa;
  • Subclass 494 - Provisional Regional Employer-Sponsored visa: replacing the current subclass 187 visa; and
  • Subclass 191 - Permanent Regional Skilled visa: applicable to those persons that have held a Subclass 491 or 494 visa for a minimum period of 3 years.


      • Changes to the Points Test

      On the 16th of November, 2019, the Department of Home Affairs introduced changes to the Points Test for Skilled Migration. These include:

      • 1. Additional points for a spouse or de-facto partner who has competent level English and is under 45 years of age (5 points);
      • 2. Additional points for a skilled spouse or de-facto partner who is under 45 years of age (10 points);
      • 3. Additional points for an applicant without a spouse or de-facto partner (10 points);
      • 4. Additional points for an Australian spouse or defacto partner (10 points);
      • 5. Additional points for State or Territory sponsorship for a Skilled Regional (Provisional) Visa (15 points);
      • 6. Additional points for sponsorship by an eligible family member for a Skilled Regional (Provisional) Visa (15 points);
      • 7. Additional points for certain post-graduate qualifications in Science and Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (10 points).


      Changes to the Prioritisation of EOI’s

      On 16 November 2019, the Department introduced changes to the prioritisation of EOI’s. EOI’s will now be prioritised based on the applicant’s points test score, occupation and realationship status. Prioritisation of EOI’s according to realationship status is set out below.

      • Ranking 1 - Additional points for a skilled spouse or de-facto partner who is under 45 years of age (10 points);
      • Ranking 1 - Additional points for an applicant without a spouse or de-facto partner (10 points);
      • Ranking 1 - Additional points for an Australian spouse or defacto partner (10 points);
      • Ranking 2 - Additional points for a spouse or de-facto partner who has competent level English and is under 45 years of age (5 points);
      • Ranking 3 - Applicant whose spouse does not have competent level English and who is considered ‘unskilled’ (0 points).

Important Notices

Subclass 485 (Post-Study Work) Visa Updates:

The Federal Government has announced its intention to offer an incentive to International Students to study in regional areas.

From 2021, International Students graduating from a higher education qualification at regional locations outside of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and the Gold Coast are expected to be offered a one year extension on the current post study work visa, provided they have maintained residence in a regional area for the duration of the first subclass 485 visa.