COVID-19: Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List increased

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Australian government recently announced that it is adding 22 occupations to the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL).

Key Points:

• The PMSOL list now includes a number of accounting, engineering and IT professions that were not previously on the list, including:
  • Accountant (General) (221111)
  • Accountant (Taxation) (221113)
  • Accountant (Management) (221112)
  • External Auditor (221213)
  • Internal Auditor (221214)
  • Electrical Engineer (233311)
  • Civil Engineer (233211)
  • Structural Engineer (233214)
  • Geotechnical Engineer (233212)
  • Transport Engineer (233215)
  • Mining Engineer (233611)
  • Petroleum Engineer (233612)
  • Surveyor (232212)
  • Cartographer (232213)
  • Other Spatial Scientist (232214)
  • Medical Laboratory Scientist (234611)
  • Orthotist / Prosthetist (251912)
  • Multimedia Specialist (261211)
  • Analyst Programmer (261311)
  • Software and Applications Programmers (261399)
  • ICT Security Specialist (262112)
  • Chef (351311)
• The entire occupations list, including the recent additions, can be found here.
• Employer sponsored nominations and visa applications from the PMSOL are given priority processing. This includes the following visa types:
  • Temporary Skill Shortage visa.
  • Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa.
  • Employer Nomination Scheme visa.
  • Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme visa.
• Other skilled migration occupation lists will remain in effect and visas will be processed accordingly; however, priority will be given to PMSOL occupations.

Additional Information: The PMSOL consists of 41 occupations that fill critical needs to support the recovery of the Australian economy. The PMSOL was first announced in Sept. 2020, and was developed based on expert advice from the National Skills Commission and Commonwealth departments.

Foreign nationals sponsored under the PMSOL are eligible for a COVID-19 travel exemption but will be subject to quarantine requirements at their own expense upon arrival.

This alert has been provided by Berry Appleman & Leiden. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@balglobal.com.

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