Points Requirement Increasing to 65 - as of 1st July 2018

[TeeTMI]

Skilled Independent Visa Points Requirement Increasing to 65 - as of 1st July 2018

 

The government has published a new Legislative Instrument confirming that the points requirement to submit an Expression of Interest as of 1st July 2018 will increase to 65 points.
This will impact the following visas: 189, 190 and 489

 

After the 1st July invitations can only be issued to people with over 65 points.
For visa applications made in respect of invitations that were issued before the 1st July the pass mark remains at 60 and these invitations are still valid.

 

If you have a current Sponsorship request being assessed by a State or Territory and only have 60 points you might try contacting the state urgently to see if this might be approved.  Given the changes just announced if you only have 60 points you would need an invitation to apply for a visa to be issued before the 1st July to be able to apply (you can apply after 1st July as long as the invitation is issued prior to the 1st).   

If you have low points scores given the current competition for these visas (latest round of invites required 75 points to obtain an invite) then you might look at strategies to assist your application.

Edited June 28, 2018 by TeeTMI