The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) has released their New Occupation List on 5 July 2017. The ACT Occupation List identifies the skills that are currently in demand in Canberra (for migration purposes).  The ACT Occupation List is used to determine the eligibility for ACT support of the following programs:

• Skilled Visas: ACT nomination of a Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa.
• Employer Nomination: Regional Certifying Body support of an Employer Nomination under the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme.

On 1 July 2017, Australian Government has implemented further changes in Australia’s Skilled Migration Program. As a result of these changes, Queensland has released their New Occupation List for Skilled Migration, e.g, Subclass 190 - Skilled Nominated visa and Subclass 489 -Regional Nominated visa.

Check the category that is applicable to your current situation to see if your profession is in demand in Queensland.

Immigration has released Legislative Instrument effective 1 July 2017 stating that it will keep the English testing exemptions for people who have completed at least five years of full-time study in a secondary and/or higher education institution where all of the tuition was delivered in English.

The MIA has confirmed with the Department of Immigration and Border Protection that the age limit for Subclasses 190 and 489 will be lowered to 45 years of age on 1 July 2017.