A message from the Department of Home Affairs:
“Due to COVID-19, some visa processing times have been affected and applications may take longer to finalise… The Department is prioritising processing of visa applications for travellers who are exempt from our travel restrictions to help those who need urgent travel.”
Global visa processing times are published on the Department website and updated monthly.
The Government has increased the Partner Visa allocation by a massive 82% this migration year. With more visas available, the backlog is expected to ease and therefore processing times to decrease.
You can read more about Australia’s migration program on the Visa Go Australia website.
Australia’s Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL)
The PMSOL aims to help Australia rebuild its economy post-COVID. The list includes 18 occupations which are currently in demand. Visa applicants in these occupations are given priority processing.
The Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List:
• Chief Executive or Managing Director (111111)
• Construction Project Manager (133111)
• Mechanical Engineer (233512)
• General Practitioner (253111)
• Resident Medical Officer (253112)
• Psychiatrist (253411)
• Medical Practitioner nec (253999)
• Midwife (254111)
• Registered Nurse (Aged Care) (254412)
• Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency) (254415)
• Registered Nurse (Medical) (254418)
• Registered Nurse (Mental Health) (254422)
• Registered Nurse (Perioperative) (254423)
• Registered Nurses nec (254499)
• Developer Programmer (261312)
• Software Engineer (261313)
• Social Worker (272511)
• Maintenance Planner (312911)
This list is constantly evolving to meet Australia’s economic needs. You can view the current PMSOL on the Government website.
Skilled Migration – State Sponsorship
Most states are awaiting further guidance from the Department of Home Affairs regarding visa allocations. States are rarely issuing invitations to offshore applicants who are not on the PMSOL. Onshore applicants continue to be prioritised.
As Australia exits recession, it is expected more occupations will be added to the PMSOL. If you need visa advice you can speak to a migration agent.
