To meet the shortage of skill in critical sectors and to assist the economic growth of Australia from COVID-19, the Australian government released a PMSOL which identifies 17 critical skilled occupation lists. This list was formulated based on the consultancy and advice of the National Skills Commission and with Commonwealth departments.
A new list of priority skills and strengthened labour market testing will allow small numbers of sponsored skilled occupation workers to return to Australia to fill urgent skills needs in critical sectors, helping to create Australian jobs and rebuild Australia’s economy.
Acting Immigration Minister Alan Trudge and Employment, Skills and Small Business Minister Senator Michaelia Cash have today (2 September 2020) issued a Joint Media Release concerning a new list of Priority Skilled Occupations (PMSOL) to help Australia to fill needs in critical sectors and create Australian jobs to rebuild Australia’s economy. (see https://minister.homeaffairs.gov.au/alantudge/Pages/supporting-australian-business-to-fill-critical-skills-needs.aspx )
Occupations in the health care, construction and IT sectors are set to supercharge both Australia’s health and economic response to COVID-19.
Minister Trudge stated, “These occupations in the health care, construction and IT sectors will supercharge both our health and economic response.’’ According to him, “Visa holders, who have been sponsored by an Australia business in a PMSOL occupation can request an exemption from Australia’s travel restrictions, but will be subject to a strict 14 days quarantine on arrival at their own expense.”
These times are of great uncertainty. It is very important for everyone to stay up to date amid these drastic changes. One should be aware and informed of the ever changing rules, policies and procedures. The migration agents at the Copson Migration Partners will keep you informed with all the latest news and changes happening in this complex world of migration. Don’t forget to contact us to stay updated with the priority list and regular changes.
Our staff at Copson Migration Partners strive to provide the latest update and handle your application accordingly.
The new priority 17 skilled occupation list (ANZSCO code) for visa application include:
- Chief Executive or Managing Director (111111)
- Construction Project Manager (133111)
- Mechanical Engineer (233512)
- General Practitioner (253111)
- Resident Medical Officer (253112)
- Psychiatrist (253411)
- Medical Practitioner nec (253999)
- Midwife (254111)
- Registered Nurse (Aged Care) (254412)
- Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency) (254415)
- Registered Nurse (Medical) (254418)
- Registered Nurse (Mental Health) (254422)
- 254423 Registered Nurse (Perioperative) (254423)
- Registered Nurses nec (254499)
- Developer Programmer (261312)
- Software Engineer (261313)
- Maintenance Planner (312911)
This new skilled occupation list aims to assist Australia’s economy and its economic recovery. By allowing workers in small numbers with sponsored skills to return to Australia and fill the need of urgent skills in critical sectors would help the economy. The skilled occupation list was created amid COVID-19. It is a smart way to recover the economic growth of the country and fight against COVID-19’s drastic effects on these specific industry sectors mentioned in the skilled occupation list.
Following are the employer sponsored visa subclasses that are applicable for priority processing of nomination and visa application for PMSOL occupations:
- Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa (subclass 482)
- Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494)
- Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa (subclass 186)
- Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) visa (subclass 187)
These changes are believed to strike the right balance for the economic recovery of Australia. Foreign workers outside Australia whose occupations are not listed in the PMSOL, will expect delays in their processing of the employer nominated work visas.
While Australia’s border restrictions are still in place, temporary visa holders should obtain a travel exemption before travelling to Australia. Obtaining this exemption may be difficult as it is only open to employees and their families who work in occupations in critical sectors. This can be complicated and stressful too. However do not worry, for Copson Migration Partners will assist you in your migration process.
Employer sponsored nominations along with the visa applications for skilled occupations on the PMSOL would benefit as they will be given a priority in processing. Even though all the rest of the skilled occupation lists will still remain active, the PMSOL occupations will be given priority.
The skilled occupation list including construction project manager, registered nurse medical, registered nurse mental health, registered nurse critical care, registered nurse care and emergency, mechanical engineer is temporary. These priority occupations may change as Australia recovers from the pandemic. The Australian Government and the National Skills Commission will continuously monitor the impact of COVID-19 on the labour market of Australia. The government will continue to assess the needs for skills in Australia as they evolve and new requirements and sources of data emerge in the market.
This initiative goes hand in hand with a testing requirement for a more rigorous strengthened labour market test. For an application to be approved currently employers are required to provide evidence that they have tested for the local labour market. They can also be exempted due to International Trade Agreements. The labour market testing will include the recruitment effort records and employees details of the advertisement. This advertisement should be conducted for a minimum of 4 weeks. It should also include two adverts drafted according to the prescribed criteria.
Currently, the focus is clearly on the construction, health and ICT sectors. Visas for the occupations list is the priority for now. The government has prioritised applications in these occupations over other occupations due to the shortage of skills in these market/industry sectors. Copson Migration Partners is here for any sort of immigration assistance or advice that you may require in this visa process.
Our migration agents at Copson Migration Partners offer you the very best visa services to provide immigration advice concerning all the skilled occupation lists for each Australian visa. All skilled occupation list positions are in high priority and if you have the skill listed in a skilled occupation list then we will be pleased to assist you and your visa application in the best way possible. Such skills needs include registered nurse mental health, registered nurse medical, or construction project manager.
There is an exemption from current travel restrictions list for offshore skilled visa holders that have been sponsored in any of the skilled occupation lists by any eligible Australian business. In case the exemption is granted, these individuals will first have to go through a strict quarantine of 14 days upon their entry. This strict quarantine is a must for everyone and each individual will have to quarantine at their own expense. They will have to bear the cost of it themselves completely.
Your visa process for PMSOL should follow all the guidelines mentioned above. We can help you out with this procedure as we stay informed and understand the priority of this. We will educate you about every little change and detail in the migration procedures of Australia. We believe knowledge is power and keep our clients informed too.
You may have many questions regarding this new change in policy. Do not be confused, just give us a call and we will explain the occupation list to you completely. The satisfaction of our customers is our major concern. We pride ourselves in always delivering accurate updated news to our clients timely.
Existing skilled migration occupation lists will remain active and visas will still be processed, but PRIORITY will be given to those in the skilled occupation list on the PMSOL.
Information about Australia’s travel exemption processes and visa application for those in the occupations of critical skills and sectors is available at https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/critical-skills-and-sectors. Apart from this, If you have any questions or need any further information please feel free to contact:
If you have any questions or need any further information please feel free to contact:
PMSOL Registered Migration Agent Graham Copson (MARN 1575606)
on 08 8155 6062 or by email graham@copsonmigration.com
“Your Migration Partner”