Hello CA welcome to our community and thanks for taking the time to provide tge detail in your question 🙂
Some current Trends for Accountants in Australian State Nominations
1. Reduced Invitations for Accountants:
Accountants (ANZSCO 221111) have seen fewer invitations due to an oversupply of applicants and high competition. States prioritise applicants based on industry demand and regional needs, which has impacted many highly qualified candidates.
2. 491 Visa Opportunities:
While your 95 points for the 491 visa are competitive, the 491 depends heavily on state-specific nomination policies. Most states assess applicants based on their ability to meet state-specific occupation lists and criteria, such as work experience in regional areas or ties to the state. For example:
NSW: Prioritises applicants based on their rank in the points system but receives large volumes of EOIs for accountants, reducing chances unless you’re highly ranked or meet additional state-specific criteria.
South Australia (SA): Accepts accountants with 491 points but typically prefers applicants with close ties to SA or those with a job offer in the state.
Tasmania and NT: These states may have slightly lower thresholds but typically favour applicants with regional work experience, study history, or employment offers.
Should You Wait for an Invitation?
The waiting period of four months is typical, given the competition in the Accountant occupation. However:
1. No Guarantees for 491 Invitations: Even with 95 points, there is no certainty due to limited quotas for accountants in many states.
2. Consider Alternative Steps: Waiting can be supplemented with proactive measures to enhance your eligibility.
For example:
Improve Employment Opportunities: Explore job offers or employer sponsorship pathways, as some states prioritise applicants who secure employment within their region.
Increase Points Further: If possible, aim to increase your total points (e.g., Professional Year Program in Accounting can add 5 points).
Regional Study or Relocation: Consider studying in or relocating to regional Australia, which can boost your chances for a 491 nomination.
Employer-Sponsored Opportunities for Accountants
Employer-sponsored visas (e.g., subclass 482 or subclass 186) may offer another pathway if you can secure a job with an Australian employer:
The shortage of skilled accountants in some regional areas makes employer sponsorship possible. Set a job alert for accountant on our website at https://482jobs.com so we can email you when accountant roles are added.
Check the Skilled Occupation List and the Regional Occupation List for employer-sponsored opportunities for accountants. Learn more on our website here: https://gettingdownunder.com/australia-occupations-list/
My suggestions
1. Keep Monitoring Your EOI: While waiting, focus on improving your profile to align with state-specific requirements.
2. Consider Employer-Sponsorship Pathways: Explore job opportunities in regional Australia to increase your chances of being nominated.
3. Stay Updated on Trends: State nomination requirements can change, so regularly check updates on state migration websites. We will also post any news updates on gettingdownunder.
I hope this helps