Australia adjusts occupation lists for visa applicants, sponsors

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? Australia has adjusted its Consolidated Sponsored Occupation List (CSOL), used for a number of employer-sponsored and State/Territory nominated visas. Officials also updated the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) for independent or family-sponsored skilled visa applicants.

What does the change mean? Among the occupations that were moved from the SOL to the CSOL are Mining Engineers, Metallurgists, Environmental Health Officers, Occupational Health and Safety Advisers, Dental Hygienists, Dental Prosthetists, Dental Technicians and Dental Therapists. Orthotists or Prosthetists and Audiologists were added to the SOL.

• Implementation time frame: 1 July 2016.
• Visas/permits affected: Changes to the CSOL affect a number of visas, including Subclass 457, 186 and 187 visas. The changes to the SOL affect visas for migrants applying independent of a nomination or employer sponsorship, including Subclass 189 and 489 visas.
• Who is affected: Employers and migrants working in the occupations listed above.
• Business impact: The changes to the CSOL and SOL are designed to help fill jobs where there is a shortage of labour and, in this respect, may be a boon to business in Australia.

Background: The CSOL provides a list of occupations that can be filled by employer-sponsored visa applicants, while the SOL provides a list of jobs available to skilled migrants who are applying for visas independent of sponsorship from a company or State/Territory Government. The lists are adjusted annually to reflect changing demands in the Australian labour market. The changes to the CSOL and SOL were made through a legislative instrument earlier this week and are set to take effect 1 July.

BAL Analysis: From 1 July 2016, Orthotists or Prosthetists and Audiologists may seek to migrate to Australia independent of employer sponsorship or nomination by a State/Territory Government. Yearly quotas for each of the occupations on the SOL will become available at a later date. Individuals seeking to apply for an independent or family-sponsored points-tested visa, and who are affected by their nominated occupation moving from the SOL to the CSOL, will either need to be invited to apply before 1 July 2016, or consider options that may be available to them through employer-sponsored visa subclasses or by way of a State/Territory nomination.

This alert has been provided by BAL Australia. For additional information, please contact australia@bal.com

MARN: 9683856

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