Latest Subclass 189 and 491 Invitation Round Analysis

The latest invitation rounds for Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189) and Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) has been released. Every quarter the Department of Home Affairs (DoHA) releases information regarding the number of invitations issued during each quarter. The October quarter has seen an decrease in the number of invitations issued as compared to the previous quarter.

21 January 2022

In January, 200 subclass 189 visa invitations were issued. For subclass 491, the DoHA issued 200 invitations. This shows no change in the number of invitations issued compared to the October 2021 round.

Visa Types January 2022 October 2021 Change
Subclass 189 200 invites 200 invites No change
Subclass 491 200 invites 200 invites No change
The overall points required to receive an invitation has also remained the same this quarter.

Subclass 189 – The lowest score to receive an invitation was 90 points.

Subclass 49180 points was the lowest score to receive an invitation for a subclass 491 visa (family stream).

Due to the Australian Government and the Department of Home Affairs prioritising the recovery of Australia’s economy post-covid-19, the skilled occupations who were issued invitations in the 21 January 2022 were predominantly occupations in the Healthcare and Agricultural sectors.

Occupation Invited for Subclass Lowest Points Score Invited
subclass 189
Lowest Points Score Invited
subclass 491 (FSR)
Agricultural Consultant 491 N/A 80
Agricultural Scientist 491 N/A 80
Biotechnologist 491 N/A 80
Chemical Engineer 491 N/A 80
Emergency Medicine Specialist 189 90 N/A
Environmental Consultant 491 N/A 80
Environmental Scientists nec 491 N/A 85
Food Technologist 491 N/A 80
General Practitioner 189 90 N/A
Geophysicist 491 N/A 80
Life Scientist (General) 491 N/A 105
Life Scientists nec 491 N/A 95
Medical Diagnostic Radiographer 189 90 N/A
Medical Laboratory Scientist 189, 491 90 80
Medical Practitioners nec 189 90 N/A
Medical Radiation Therapist 491 N/A 95
Microbiologist 189, 491 90 85
Midwife 491 N/A 85
Mining Engineer (excluding Petroleum) 189 90 N/A
Neurosurgeon 189 95 N/A
Nuclear Medicine Technologist 189 95 N/A
Nurse Practitioner 189 95 N/A
Orthotist or Prosthetist 491 N/A 80
Paediatrician 189 90 N/A
Petroleum Engineer 189 90 N/A
Physiotherapist 491 N/A 80
Psychologists nec 491 N/A 80
Registered Nurse (Aged Care) 189, 491 90 80
Registered Nurse (Child and Family Health) 491 N/A 80
Registered Nurse (Community Health) 189 90 N/A
Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency) 189, 491 90 80
Registered Nurse (Developmental Disability) 189 90 N/A
Registered Nurse (Medical Practice) 189, 491 90 90
Registered Nurse (Medical) 189, 491 90 80
Registered Nurse (Mental Health) 189, 491 90 80
Registered Nurse (Paediatrics) 189, 491 90 80
Registered Nurse (Perioperative) 189, 491 90 80
Registered Nurse (Surgical) 189, 491 90 80
Registered Nurses nec 491 N/A 80
Social Worker 491 N/A 80
Veterinarian 189 90 N/A

Invitations issued during 2021-22 program year

Visa subclass Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Total
Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) 250 200 200 650
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) – Family Sponsored 500 200 200 900
Total 750 400 400 1,550

The above figures do not include invitations issued for State and Territory Government nominated visa subclasses (491 and 190 state sponsored visas). State and Territory Governments nominate throughout the month for specific points tested skilled migration and business innovation and investment visas.

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