I have been contacted by a number of people planning to lodge a state sponsored 489, who want to know if the cap applies to them. Some of them had already started to plan for an alternative visa application, because they thought the cap applied to State Sponsored 489.
The statement by DIBP says the following:
“Due to a large number of applications there will be a limit of 35 invitations for subclass 489 – Skilled Regional (Provisional) (Sponsored) visas until further notice. This change will be implemented from the 16 December 2013 invitation round.
Please note that this will not have any impact on state or territory government nominations for subclass 489 – Skilled Regional (Provisional) (State or territory nominated) visas and nominations for these visas can continue.”
The above announcement seems does say that the cap will not effect State or Territory Nominated 489 visa applications.
So why is there confusion about the 489 cap of 35 invitations?
I believe the main reason for confusion is the name of the two types of 489 are not sufficiently different.
The two types of 489 are:
1. 489 – Skilled Regional (Provisional) (Sponsored)
2. 489 – Skilled Regional (Provisional) (State or territory nominated)
The DIBP has for some reason avoids using the words ‘Family Sponsored’ for the 489 – Skilled Regional (Provisional) (Sponsored). Why is the term Family Sponsored being avoided? Probably in attempt to avoid any negative publicity related to DIBP placing a cap on family sponsored 489 visas. But the best name for the Skilled Regional (Provisional) (Sponsored) would be the Family Sponsored 489.
So conclude, the cap of 35 invitations per round only applies to Family Sponsored 489.
It does not apply to State Nominated 489 visas.
Source:
http://www.immi.gov.au/skills/skillselect/
**Warning -**This information is accurate on the 22 DEC 2013.
DIBP can change requirements in an ongoing manner and all current requirements must be established prior to lodging a skills assessment or visa application.
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