Hey Folks,

Welcome to the latest edition of our monthly newsletter

This months excitement has been teaching my 16 year old how to drive. After a few minor arguments with the kerbs (always respect the kerb) she is now cruising along nicely. And already thinking of how much to charge her little brother for driving him around :-)

We gather all the visa news and our articles over the last month and put them into one concise document so that you can catch up with what has happened

If you want backcopies you can �nd them at www.iscah.com Also if you want to subscribe or unsubscribe (It is free) just email us to newsletter@iscah.com (not the auto email you received the newsletter from)

Ok on to February’s news …

Iscah Migration NewsletterEdition Number 260 | 17th February 2020

© Iscah Migration 2020

Contents

1) Short interesting articles from media sources

2) Information on the Corona Virus

3) WA 190/491 Uno�cial selection results January 2020

4) ACT Canberra matrix selection results

5) Latest 189/491 backlogs

6) DHA information on management of EOIs

7) AAT Processing Priorities

8) PTE English score veri�cation with DHA

9) Latest DHA vias allocation times

10) Community Worker occupation on skilled lists

11) NSW still not opened 491 state sponsorships

12) NSW 190 State occupation list

13) Changes to the WA state occupation list

14) EOI invide dates going “backwards”

15) Iscah Uno�cial 189 invite results 11th Feb 2020

16) Estimates of when you will get a 189 invite

17) Example of how we analyse the 189 estimates

18) O�cial DHA skill select results January 2020

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https://www.watoday.com.au/politics/federal/visa-outsourcing-plan-thrown-into-doubt-by-home-a�airs-advice-20200128-p53val.html

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/jan/30/new-underclass-labor-warns-on-australias-reliance-on-short-term-migration

https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/peter-duttons-migration-policies-contribute-to-weakening-economy,13551

1) Short interesting articles from media sources

https://www.homea�airs.gov.au/news-media/current-alerts/novel-coronavirus

2) Information on the Corona Virus

WA advise they will shortly update their o�cial results which have not been updated since October 2019 on their websiteFYI the lowest ranked invites we received for the 17/01/2020 190/491 round were

University level occupations - 105 points (including state points) Bachelor degree (which means all masters and honours degrees got invites)EOI e�ect date of 26/09/2018

Vocational level occupations - 80 points (including state points) Diploma (which means all Advanced Diplomas got invites)EOI e�ect date of 11/12/2019

3) WA 190/491 Uno�cial selection results January 2020

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4) ACT Canberra matrix selection results

Canberra Matrix invite results - 7th Feb 2020http://www.canberrayourfuture.com.au/portal/migrating/article/skilled-visa-act-nomination/

5) Latest 189/491 backlogs

Latest DHA backlog of undecided GSM applications as of 31/12/2019 (includes main applicant and family members)

189 (NZ) 4,212189 (points test) 8,368491 (family) 54

(Source: DHA)

6) DHA information on management of EOIs

DHA information posted today about EOIs------------------------------------------------------- Please be aware: if you receive an invitation and lodge a visa application and the assessed points score is less than what was claimed in your EOI, or you cannot provide evidence of a claimed factor - the visa application may be refused.- Expressions of Interest (EOI)s created without clear identity information, including name and date of birth details, will be removed from SkillSelect on a regular basis.

(Source: DHA)

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This document explains which AAT appeal cases have priority and how you can demonstrate compelling reasons to shorten your processing time

https://www.aat.gov.au/AAT/media/AAT/Files/Directions%20and%20guides/Presidents-Direction-Prioritising-Cases-in-Migration-Refugee-Division.pdf

AAT backlogs

Backlog of migration & asylum cases at AAT end Dec 2019 was 66,515; 41,411 migration cases & 25,104 asylum cases. Backlog growing at around 900 per month with no sign of slowing. Backlog less than 20,000 only 3 years ago. Dutton & Pezzullo have lost control of the visa system.

(Source: Abul Rizvi/AAT)

4) Visas for Horticultural Industry workers

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Does your client have a PTE Academic test result? For visa applications to the Department of Home A�airs (DHA) the fastest and easiest way for your clients result to be veri�ed is to provide the Score Report Code (SRC) from a client's test result.The SRC is 10 digits long and is a combination of letters and numbers, and was introduced in 2019 to replace the use of the Registration ID. The SRC can be found at the top of the test taker’s score report, underneath their name.The introduction of the SRC is part of the recent upgrade to PTE Academic’s Score Report Website. As per previous communications, the new Score Report Website has eliminated the need for your client’s to assign their scores to DHA, and other recognising institutions and professional bodies.If your client’s test result does not have a SRC, they can simply log back into their PTE Academic account and re-download their score report. The SRC is featured underneath the client’s name as per the image below.Please note; If this code is not provided to the Department of Home A�airs, your visa application may experience delays in being processed. If you have any questions or di�culty in generating a Score Report Code they can contact our https://pearson.tfaforms.net/243

(Source – MIA/PTE)

8) PTE English score veri�cation with DHA

Latest Parent visa allocation dates –https://immi.homea�airs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-processing-times/family-visa-processing-priorities/parent-visas-queue-release-dates

Updated DHA processing times for lodged visa applications –https://immi.homea�airs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-processing-times/global-visa-processing-times

9) Latest DHA vias allocation times

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ACWA the assessing body for this occupation has announced the following ..."..... ATTENTION 28/01/2020 - We are placing a temporary hold on applications under this occupation.No new applications will be accepted under this occupation after 31 January 2020.�This decision will be reviewed in March.Pending applications will be processed as usual....."Given that DHA have suggested this occupation may come o� the STSOL occupation list as per below ...https://docs.employment.gov.au/system/�les/doc/other/smol_tra�c_light_bulletin_december_2019_0.pdfThis is a sign that it may shortly be no longer available for 491, 494 and 190 applications from March 2020

(Source: ACWA, DHA and Iscah comment)

10) Community Worker occupation on skilled lists

Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491)Opening of 491 program to be announced shortlyApplications for NSW nomination for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) will soon be open.There is currently a delay in the program opening in NSW.We will announce when NSW is open to applications shortly.We are unable to provide further guidance via phone or email at this time.Payment links will be made available on this website after applications have opened. Any documents submitted before applications have opened will not be considered. The 491 visa will be managed entirely within the NSW Government and applications can be made directly to NSW Treasury.NSW nominates applicants for the 491 visa to support the regional industries and economies of NSW through the provision of skilled talent.NSW’s management of the new 491 visa aims to deliver strong, strategic outcomes for regional NSW.NSW Government has a strong commitment to regional growth and the 491 visa will sit alongside several other government initiatives that aim to increase regional NSW’s attraction as a highly desirable place to live, work and do business.The occupations eligible for NSW nomination are selected to meet the skills needs of the NSW economy across a range of industry sectors. We will regularly update these occupations according to the skills needs in NSW.

(Source: NSW Government)

Iscah Note - we have been advised the delay is because of internal NSW government process/issues. With no indication yet of when it may open.

11) NSW still not opened 491 state sponsorships

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Note that many of the occupations on the NSW list have changed in their availability status See their table herehttps://www.industry.nsw.gov.au/live-and-work-in-nsw/visas-and-immigration/nsw-skilled-occupations-list/nsw-190-priority-skilled-occupation-list

12) NSW 190 State occupation list

Occupations under review on the Western Australian Skilled Migration occupation list31 January 2020 A number of occupations on the Western Australian Skilled Migration Occupation List are now under review due to the high number of expressions of interest by applicants for these nominated occupations.The occupations under review are:

•General Practitioner (ANZSCO 253111);•Registered Nurse (Community Health) (ANZSCO 254414);•Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency) (ANZSCO 254415);•Registered Nurse (Mental Health) (ANZSCO 254422); and•Registered Nurse (Perioperative) (ANZSCO 254423).Invitations to apply for WA State nomination for these occupations will be limited. If you have already received an invitation, your application will not be a�ected.See the Occupation lists page for all available occupations.WA Graduate List update---------------------------------Retail Pharmacist now available on the Graduate Occupation ListThe occupation Retail Pharmacist (ANZSCO 251513) is now available on the Graduate Occupation List and eligible for State nomination through the Graduate stream.This occupation is restricted to 'Regional WA Only', meaning that you must be able to provide evidence of a job o�er/contract of employment in a location de�ned by the Commonwealth as Category 3 - Regional Centres and Other Regional Areas (not Perth and Mandurah) to be eligible for State nomination. This includes the following areas by postcodes: 6041 to 6044, 6084, 6207, 6213, 6215 to 6537, and 6560 to 6770.

(Source: WA government)

13) Changes to the WA state occupation list

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We have advised the following information previously about EOI invite dates going backwards and wasted invites. Now DHA have given the same answers in an FOI request as per belowhttps://www.homea�airs.gov.au/foi/�les/2019/fa-191100140-document-released.PDF

14) EOI invide dates going “backwards”

Looks like around 800-1200 invites for 189s and many occupations dropped to 90 points.And DHA got down to 85 points (including 15 sponsor points) for the 491 family sponsored. As mentioned a few months ago, DHA are going to run out of eligible 491 EOIs very soon (only around 800 left in non pro rata occupations) unless they allow more invites for Pro Rata occupationsYou will see from the results table that we have also been able to show what are the oldest EOIs waiting at the lower scores of 75, 80, 85 and 90 points. Those dates that are older than December 2017 will of course have also expired but we have shown these just as a reference point.You will see that some invite e�ect dates have dropped to 16/11/2019 at 90 points. MANY EOIs were updat-ed from 16/11, 17/11, 18/11, 19/11 with regional study and partner points. So it may take a little longer to clear through these EOIs updated in mid November 2019.To produce our results we collect data from our own clients, online forums, other online sources, and feedback from our FB and newsletter followers. As well as using mathematical logical assumptions we know in the past to be correct.

If you aware of any more recent invites for any of these occupations please email us at query@iscah.com with some details so that we can see if this table can be updated over the next 24-48 hours.�SO COME BACK AND CHECK for updates

(Please note it is highly likely there are more recent invites we are unaware of … this is just the best we know so far)

15) Iscah Uno�cial 189 invite results 11th Feb 2020

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The 10th January 2020 round looks around 800-1200 invitations for the 189 visas.We have upgraded our estimate to 1000 invites (on average) for the last 4 months of the �nancial year. Due to DHA having must less onhand 189 applications (points test and NZ citizens) now. Our Assumptions are on the table below Interestingly DHA have gone away from their strict model of allocating 60-65% of invites to Pro Rata and 35-40% of invites to Non Pro Rata occupations in the January 2020 round. Out of 1000 invites we would have expected around 650 to go to Pro rata occupations. Instead 765 went to Pro Rata occupations and this included a fair few given invites for 491 family sponsored (yes they count as part of the occupational ceilings). This �ow over to 491 invites does not explain all of the increased Pro Rata allocation. For example the last time there was a clear 1000 invites given JUST for 189s was July 2019. At that time Accountants were given 83 invites (but 98 in Jan 2020) and Auditor was given 47 (56 in Jan 2020). So in fact some occupations have been given more invites and they have gone to 491 Family sponsored. Whilst others (Accountant and Auditors in particular) received more invites and they went to just 189s.We have built this new information into our predictions as well.Remember that these predictions are based on statistics from DHA and current policy settings. If DHA change from 100 to 1500 to 250 invites like they have in recent months it has an e�ect on invitation estimates too. Hence why we take an average (1000 over each of the next 4 months)

16) Estimates of when you will get a 189 invite

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For the 491 (family sponsored) visa DHA have limited themselves to only inviting MLTSSL occupations that are non pro rata in most cases. However there is the possibility for some Pro Rata occupations to get an invite if the 189 round does not use all the places for that occupation in that round (this can sometimes happen). As a result of this limited number of eligible applicants the 491 invite score dropped from 95 to 85 points . We expect this trend to continue and for 80 point applicants (65+15 for sponsor) to get an invite in March 2020. Especially if you are not a pro rata occupation.

(Source: Iscah)

We have had a number of people ask why there is such a long wait for 189 invitesAs an example for Accountants here is an idea of SOME of the factors we take account of Accountants – There is a backlog of 1400 Accountants at 95 points (back to around 15/05/2019) in the 189 EOI system and 4200 at 90 points (back to 24/8/2018).As well as 20 newly lodged EOIs at 100 points and 250 new EOIs at 95 points each month (current �gures for Dec/Jan)There was also around 140 lodged at 95 points just after 16/11/2019 changes and around 400 EOIs lodged at 90 points in that same few days.With Accountants only being invited at around 98 per month it will take a long time to clear through that backlog and it can’t get down to 90 points on current �guresWe do this analysis for each occupation and then include some more subjective factorsWe don't normally publish these, but we have done Accountant just to give you an idea of what we look at . For your info we do provide a summary each months in our monthly visa reports here - www.iscah.com/members

(Source: Iscah)

17) Example of how we analyse the 189 estimates

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Current round 10th January 2020

18) O�cial DHA skill select results January 2020

Visa subclass

Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)

Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) – Family Sponsored

1,000

300

Number

Invitation process and cut o� pointsThe highest ranked clients by points score are invited to apply for the relevant visa. For clients who have equal points scores, the time at which they reached their points score for that subclass (referred to as the date of e�ect) determines their order of invitation. Expressions of Interest with earlier dates of e�ect are invited before later dates.

IDSubclass Description

189189189491189189189189491189491

22112212233423342335233926112613261326312631

AccountantsAuditors, Company Secretaries and Corporate TreasurersElectronics EngineerElectronics EngineerIndustrial, Mechanical and Production EngineersOther Engineering ProfessionalsICT Business and System AnalystsSoftware and Applications ProgrammersSoftware and Applications ProgrammersComputer Network ProfessionalsComputer Network Professionals

Date of e�ect

23/04/2019  1:56pm18/10/2019  10:51am25/09/2019  6:35am3/01/2020  3:10pm1/06/2019  4:20pm28/08/2019  12:31pm1/09/2019  9:12am2/10/2019  8:32am11/12/2019  7:33pm30/09/2019  4:46pm20/11/2019  2:40pm

Points score

9595909590909090909090

Visa subclass

Skilled - Independent (subclass 189)

Skilled - Regional Provisional (subclass 489)

Date of e�ect

2/10/2019  11:05pm

Min Points Score

90

16/12/2019  1:01am90

Point scores and the dates of e�ect cut o� for the pro rata occupations in the 10 January 2020 invitation round.Due to high levels of demand, and in keeping with previous years, the below occupation groups will be subject to pro rata arrangements to ensure availability of invitations across the program year.

SkillSelect �rst allocates available places to Skilled – Independent visas (subclass 189) and then the remain-ing to Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) – Family Sponsored . If all places are taken up by subclass 189 visas then there will be no invitations issued for subclass 491 visas in these occupations.

(Source: DHA)

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iscah.migrationiscahmigrationiscah.com

Phone: 08 9353 3344 Fax: 61-8-9353 3350E-mail: newsletter@iscah.com

Iscah MigrationSuite 14 (Kewdale Business Park)133 Kewdale Road, KewdalePerth Western Australia, 6105PO Box 75 Welshpool BC 6986

Steven O’Neill (Iscah Manager - MARN 9687267)

Registered Migration Agent 9687267

Ok folksThat’s all for the last monthKeep well and see you all on Monday 16th March 2020