Following today’s announcement that the migration program will have an upper limit of 160,000 for 2019/2020 and the introduction of two new regional visa streams the new planning levels for 2019/2020 have been released .
The important features being the slashing of the independent points test (189) from 43,990 to just 18,652.
When you take out the New Zealand citizens as part of this (maybe around 2000) and take into account the average application has 1.6 people on it that equates to around 10,400 invitations for the points tested 189s. Or around 870 invitations per round. That will mean more points will be needed and longer waits at each point level for all occupations.
We will crunch some numbers later this week as to what that may do to the invitation times for a 189 invite.
Remember there is a new regional visa pathway here that will alleviate some of the upwards pressure on points needed for those who choose that. As well it is highly likely the Labor party will win the May 2019 Federal Election and they may have their own views about the migration program
2019-20 Migration program planning levels
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Skill stream
Employer Sponsored 30,000
Skilled Independent 18,652
Regional 23,000
Skilled Employer Sponsored 9,000
Skilled Work Regional 14,000
State/Territory Nominated 24,968
Business Innovation & Investment program 6,862
Global Talent 5,000
Distinguished Talent 200
Skill Total 108,682
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Family Stream
Partner 39,799
Parent 7,371
Other Family 562
Family Total 47,732
Special Eligibility 236
Child (estimate; not subject to a ceiling) 3,350
Total 160,000
2019/2020 Migration Program Table
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