In a significant development for immigration to Australia, the Department of Home Affairs has unveiled key changes to the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) and the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) for the 2023-24 program. Here's what you need to know:

Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491)

Effective immediately, major modifications have been introduced for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) in the 2023-24 program. To qualify for nomination, onshore applicants must  be residing and actively working in regional Victoria at the time of nomination. This includes some outer suburbs of Melbourne, which have been designated as regional zones by the Department of Home Affairs.

For those who submitted a subclass 491 Registration of Interest (ROI) in the previous 2022-23 program but were not selected, it's crucial to note that you will need to submit a fresh ROI if you still meet the eligibility criteria under these revised regulations.

Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)

In contrast, there are no alterations to the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) nomination program for the upcoming year. Applicants can continue to follow the existing procedures for this visa category.

If you submitted a subclass 190 Registration of Interest (ROI) in the previous 2022-23 program and were not selected, there is generally no requirement to submit a new ROI unless your personal information, such as partner points or annual salary details, has changed. In such cases, please ensure that the information in your existing ROI is accurate. If any discrepancies are identified, it is advisable to withdraw the existing ROI and submit an updated version to reflect your current circumstances.