Skilled Migration Process

Skilled Occupations Changes

Skilled Occupations Changes

The skilled migration occupation lists form the basis of employer-sponsored, points-tested and state-nominated visa programs. To respond to changes in the labour market and to accommodate regional variations across Australia, these lists are reviewed on a regular basis by the Department of Jobs and Small Business. On 11 March 2019 The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) announced updates to the Short-Term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL), Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), and the Regional Occupation List (ROL). The next update to the skilled occupations lists is expected no earlier than mid-2019.
Australia Skilled Occupations Changes

Review Process

The purpose of the reviews is to determine Australia’s skilled workforce needs and to add or remove certain occupations in order to meet the current market demands. The review process includes consultations with the industry and individuals and submissions can be made to the Department of Jobs and Small Business in accordance with their guidelines.

The changes to MLTSSL, STSOL or ROL lists are not retro-spective and nominations and visa applications, made prior to the announcement date, are not affected even if a nominated occupation is removed from the relevant list.

MLTSSL Changes

Added to MLTSSL
  • Telecommunications network planner
  • Pressure welder
  • Environmental Manager
  • Musician (Instrumental)
  • Statistician
  • Economist
  • Mining Engineer (excluding Petroleum)
  • Petroleum Engineer
  • Engineering Professionals nec
  • Chemist
  • Food Technologist
  • Environmental Consultant
  • Environmental Research Scientist
  • Environmental Scientists nec
  • Geophysicist
  • Hydrogeologist
  • Life Scientist (General)
  • Biochemist
  • Biotechnologist
  • Botanist
  • Marine Biologist
  • Microbiologist
  • Zoologist
  • Life Scientists nec
  • Conservator
  • Metallurgist
  • Meteorologist
  • Natural and Physical Science Professionals nec
  • University Lecturer
  • Multimedia Specialist
  • Software and Applications Programmers nec
  • Horse Trainer
  • Physicist – no longer restricted to medical physicist
Moved from STSOL to MLTSSL
  • Arts administrator or manager
  • Dancer or choreographer
  • Music director
  • Artistic director
  • Tennis coach
  • Footballer
Moved from ROL to MLTSSL
  • Arts administrator or manager
  • Dancer or choreographer
  • Music director
  • Artistic director
  • Tennis coach
  • Footballer
  • Telecommunications network planner
  • Pressure welder

STSOL Changes

Added to STSOL
  • Visual arts and crafts professionals (nec)
  • Chemical plant operator
  • Watch and clock maker and repairer
  • Textile, clothing and footwear mechanic
  • Library technician
Removed from STSOL
  • Visual Arts and Crafts Professionals
  • Textile, Clothing and Footwear Mechanic
  • Watch and Clock Maker and Repairer
  • Chemical Plant Operator
  • Library Technician
  • Arts Administrator or Manager
  • Dancer or Choreographer
  • Music Director
  • Artistic Director
  • Footballer
  • Aquaculture Farmer
  • Cotton Grower
  • Fruit or Nut Grower
  • Grain, Oilseed or Pasture Grower
  • Mixed Crop Farmer
  • Sugar Cane Grower
  • Crop Farmers nec
  • Beef Cattle Farmer
  • Dairy Cattle Farmer
  • Mixed Livestock Farmer
  • Pig Farmer
  • Sheep Farmer
  • Livestock Farmers nec
  • Mixed Crop and Livestock Farmer
  • Dentist
  • Anaesthetist
  • Tennis Coach

ROL Changes

Added to ROL
  • Goat farmer
  • Deer farmer
Moved from STSOL to ROL
  • Aquaculture farmer
  • Cotton grower
  • Fruit or nut grower
  • Mixed crop farmer
  • Sugar cane grower
  • Crop farmers (nec)
  • Beef cattle farmer
  • Grain, oilseed or pasture grower (Aus) / field crop grower (NZ)
  • Dairy cattle farmer
  • Mixed livestock farmer
  • Pig farmer
  • Sheep farmer
  • Livestock farmers (nec)
  • Mixed crop and livestock farmer
  • Dentist
  • Anaesthetist
Removed from ROL
  • Arts administrator or manager
  • Dancer or choreographer
  • Music director
  • Artistic director
  • Tennis coach
  • Footballer
  • Telecommunications network planner
  • Pressure welder

Conditions Changes

Several medical occupations now require a Health Workforce Certificate to be submitted with the nomination application:

  • General practitioner
  • Medical practitioners (nec)
  • Resident medical officer
Condition 25
  • imposes a minimum salary of $120,000 pa for footballers
  • replaces Condition 23 for ship’s masters and gas or petroleum operators
Condition 26
  • replaces Conditions 23 for recruitment consultants on the STSOL and reduces the required annual salary to $80,000

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