Skilled Visas : In the ever-evolving landscape of Australian migration, Queensland‘s State Nomination program has taken center stage for the fiscal year 2023-24. This year, however, aspiring migrants will need to navigate through a more challenging path as the program has witnessed a significant reduction in its visa allocation.
Queensland’s Allocation Quandary
Migration Queensland, the body responsible for facilitating state nominations, has received a mere 1,550 spots for skilled visas, encompassing Subclass 190 and Subclass 491, with no allocation for Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visas. This reduction in allocation is a noticeable dip from previous years and hints at a more competitive environment for potential migrants.
A government spokesperson shed light on the situation, stating that the state’s nominated program had expanded its eligibility criteria with more lenient visa regulations. However, this relaxation may paradoxically intensify the competition among applicants vying for a coveted Queensland nomination.
The Invitation Challenge
Migration Queensland has announced that it will begin inviting selected applicants from the end of September 2023, conducting invitation rounds monthly throughout the fiscal year 2023-24. To ensure a balanced and consistent rate of invitation, there will be a cap on the number of applicants invited each month.
This competitive process necessitates that applicants explore alternative migration options, as securing a nomination slot becomes increasingly challenging.
A Glimpse into the Past
Reflecting on the previous fiscal year, Queensland’s State Nomination program selected 4,372 applicants, a testament to its popularity. However, this pales in comparison to the overwhelming demand, with over 30,000 expressions of interest (EOIs) submitted.
One such applicant, Bhawana Sandiri, a 30-year-old civil engineer from Hyderabad, India, recounted her experience. Initially, Queensland was her preferred destination, but due to a quicker nomination from New South Wales (NSW), she chose to make her move to Sydney.
Eased Eligibility, But Still Competitive
While the processing time for state nomination has improved compared to previous years, the eligibility criteria have been relaxed for the 2023-24 period. Applicants now require only 75 points to qualify for the Subclass 190 visa, and there is a reduced requirement for onshore work experience for both Subclass 190 and 491 visas.
Skilled Visas & Applicants
Queensland is also extending opportunities to top-performing onshore graduates from Queensland universities and expanding the Skilled Occupation List for offshore skilled applicants.
Navigating the Competitive Landscape in Queensland
Suman Dua, a migration expert, cautioned that despite the relaxed visa rules, the limited number of available slots poses additional challenges. Queensland is prioritizing health workers, engineers, and applicants with managerial skills this year.
Dua emphasized that this year’s limited visa allocations could be a hurdle for candidates. Only those with the highest point totals are likely to secure nominations. Additionally, the work requirement rules in Queensland are notably higher than in other Australian states, ranging from three to five years.
The Small Business Owner Stream
However, there is a glimmer of hope for aspiring migrants through the Small Business Owner (SBO) stream for regional areas, which offers two separate pathways. Applicants from other states can also buy a business in a regional area and lodge an EOI after meeting other eligibility criteria.