From 16 November 2019, 489 visas will be closed to new applicants and will be replaced by the new 491 visa, with 14,000 places allocated per year.

This is a points tested, skilled migration visa which requires either state government nomination, or sponsorship by an eligible family member who is settled in a designated regional area.

The Department of Home Affairs announced that 10 September 2019 will be last day for States and Territories to be able to nominate and issue invitations for subclass 489 applicants.

Following this announcement, Victoria's Skilled and Business Migration Program (SBMP) will close to subclass 489 nomination on 5 September 2019 (11:59pm AEST) and will not be accepting any new subclass 489 nomination after this time.