New Australian Skilled Occupation List (SOL) for Immigration Applications announced
17 May 2010
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Immigration Minister Chris Evans had previously announced the revocations of the Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL) from 8 February 2010. Now following advice from the Independent body, Skills Australia a new Skilled Occupation List (SOL) has just been announced. This is due to be implemented on 1 July 2010.
The new immigration reforms are intended to make sure that the Australian skilled immigration program will result in new immigrants who better meets the needs of the Australian economy and the skilled labour needs in Australia.
It is expected that there will be a reduction in the number of independent skilled migrant visas. There will at the same time be an increase in the number of employer sponsored skilled immigration visas. The number of occupations on the skilled occupation list has now been reduced from 400 occupations to 181 occupations. Australian immigration feels that the new list is in keeping with Australia's overall workforce development strategy which was developed with Skills Australia.
If you wish to gain entry to Australia on the new list you will find that the list is focused more on higher skilled level occupations requiring formal education and training. The occupations on the list include managerial, professional, associate-professional and trade occupations. The skilled occupation list will be reviewed on an annual basis. The Australian Government in their recent announcement has said that they are committed "…to a labour market demand-driven skilled migration program…".
The new skilled occupation list will apply to General Skilled Migration applications from 1 July 2010. The exception to this is GSM applicants who at 8 February 2010 come under the following transitional arrangements:
If you held a subclass 485 (skilled graduate) visa or had a pending subclass 485 visa application and you apply for a permanent or provisional onshore GSM visa by 31 December 2012.
On the date of the announcement you had a pending GSM visa application.
If you are an international student who on 8 February 2010 held a subclass 572 (vocational education and training sector) or subclass 573(higher education sector) or subclass 574 (postgraduate research sector) student visa you will not come under the new skilled occupation list. If you are a student in this situation you can apply for a subclass 485 (skilled graduate) visa using the current SOL as long as you lodge your subclass 485 application by 31 December 2012.
Australian immigration has commented that Australia has "…a well deserved reputation for
the delivery of quality education and training…". There may still be opportunities for students to come to Australia and then remain as a permanent immigrant.
The Australian immigration changes mean that fewer people will qualify under the general skilled migration categories. Those that do qualify from 1 July 2010 for skilled immigration will need to have higher level skills or be sponsored by an employer.
Australian Skilled Occupation List (SOL) from 1 July 2010
Australian Immigration Skilled Occupation List
This list effective 1 July 2011. Applicants for Australia's General Skilled Migration programme must have experience in an occupation listed below.
Accounting, Law and Finance
Code
Occupation
221111
Accountant (general)
224111
Actuary
271111
Barrister
221213
External auditor
221214
Internal auditor
221112
Management accountant
271311
Solicitor
221113
Taxation accountant
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing
Code
Occupation
234111
Agricultural consultant
234112
Agricultural scientist
234113
Forester
Engineering
Code
Occupation
233911
Aeronautical engineer
233912
Agricultural engineer
233913
Biomedical engineer
233111
Chemical engineer
233211
Civil engineer
312211
Civil engineer draftsperson
312212
Civil engineer technician
233311
Electrical engineer
312311
Electrical engineer draftperson
312312
Electrical engineer technician
233411
Electronics engineer
133211
Engineering manager
233914
Engineering technologist
233915
Environmental engineer
233212
Geotechnical engineer
233511
Industrial engineer
233112
Materials engineer
233512
Mechanical engineer
233611
Mining engineer (excluding petroleum)
233612
Petroleum engineer
233513
Production or plant engineer
233214
Structural engineer
233215
Transport engineer
Shipping
Code
Occupation
399111
Boat Builder and Repairer
233916
Naval architect
231212
Ship's engineer
231213
Ship's master
231214
Ship's officer
399112
Shipwright
Communications
Code
Occupation
313211
Radiocommunications technician
263311
Telecommunications engineer
313212
Telecommunications field engineer
263312
Telecommunications network engineer
313213
Telecommunications network planner
313214
Telecommunications technical officer or technologist
Information Technology
Code
Occupation
261311
Analyst programmer
261312
Developer programmer
261111
ICT business analyst
261313
Software engineer
261112
Systems analyst
Health Care & Medical Industry
Code
Occupation
253211
Anaesthetist
252711
Audiologist
253312
Cardiologist
253512
Cardiothoracic surgeon
252111
Chiropractor
253313
Clinical haematologist
253314
Clinical oncologist
272311
Clinical psychologist
411211
Dental Hygienist
411212
Dental Prosthetist
252311
Dental specialist
411213
Dental technician
411214
Dental therapist
252312
Dentist
253911
Dermatologist
272312
Educational psychologist
253912
Emergency medicine specialist
253315
Endocrinologist
251311
Environmental Health Officer
253316
Gastroenterologist
253111
General medical practitioner
251511
Hospital Pharmacists
253317
Intensive care specialist
253399
Internal medicine specialist nec
134211
Medical administrator
251211
Medical diagnostic radiographer
234914
Medical Physicist
253999
Medical practitioners nec
251212
Medical radiation therapist
254111
Midwife
253318
Neurologist
253513
Neurosurgeon
251213
Nuclear medicine technologist
254411
Nurse Practitioner
134212
Nursing clinical director
253913
Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
251312
Occupational Health and Safety Advisor
252411
Occupational therapist
253914
Ophthalmologist
272313
Organisational psychologist
253514
Orthopaedic surgeon
252112
Osteopath
253515
Otorhinolaryngologist
253516
Paediatric surgeon
253321
Paediatrician
253915
Pathologist
252511
Physiotherapist
253517
Plastic and reconstructive surgeon
252611
Podiatrist
134213
Primary health organisation manager
253411
Psychiatrist
272399
Psychologists nec
272314
Psychotherapist
253916
Radiologist
254499
Registered nurse
254412
Registered nurse (aged care)
254413
Registered nurse (Child and Family Health)
254414
Registered nurse (community health)
254415
Registered nurse (critical care and emergency)
254416
Registered nurse (development disability)
254417
Registered nurse (disability and rehabilitation)
254421
Registered nurse (medical practice)
254418
Registered nurse (medical)
254422
Registered nurse (mental health)
254423
Registered nurse (perioperative)
254424
Registered nurse (surgical)
253322
Renal medicine specialist
251513
Retail Pharmacists
253323
Rheumatologist
251214
Sonographer
253311
Specialist physician
252712
Speech pathologist
253511
Surgeon (general)
253324
Thoracic medicine specialist
253518
Urologist
253521
Vascular surgeon
234711
Veterinarian
Aircraft Maintenance Trades