The Australian Skilled visa program is an important means of growing the Australian workforce and ensuring that labour shortages in particular occupations in Australia can be filled by skilled overseas workers. The Australian visa changes from 1 July 2017 have heralded in an expanded Skilled visa program in terms of eligible occupations.
Australian Skilled Eligible Occupations- 1 July 2017
The Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) will apply to the following classes of visas:
- Skilled- Independent (subclass 189) visas;
- Skilled-Regional (Provisional)(subclass 489) visas; and
- Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visas.
The Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) will continue to amend the occupation list, which has been announced will occur on a six-monthly basis.
Additional Occupations for Skilled Visas:
- chief executive or managing director
- corporate general manager
- chief information officer
- faculty head
- university lecturer
- 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
- physicist
- life scientists (not elsewhere classified)
- conservator
- metallurgist
- meteorologist
- natural and physical science professionals (nec)
- multimedia specialist
- software and applications programmers (nec)
- ICT security specialist
- horse trainer
Skilled Visa Age Requirement- 1 July 2017
The maximum age requirement for Skilled visa applicants has been reduced from below the age of 50 to below the age of 45 for applicants applying from 1 July 2017. An exception to this is the newly created ‘New Zealand pathway’ for Skilled visas.
The new age requirement of below 45 will affect the following visas:
- Skilled Independent (subclass 189) visa;
- Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa; and
- Skilled Regional (Provisional) (subclass 489) visa.
Skilled Visa- New Zealand Pathway
From 1 July 2017, the Australian Government has introduced an additional pathway to Australian permanent residence as part of the Skilled Independent (subclass 189) visa for New Zealand Special Category visa (SCV) holders.
This creates an additional option for New Zealanders seeking Australian permanent residency.
Need Assistance?
For specific enquiries regarding applications for Australian Skilled visas, please feel free to contact us at info@hartmanlawyers.com.au.
Disclaimer:
The information on this website is intended only to provide a summary and general overview on relevant matters. It is not intended to be comprehensive nor does it constitute legal advice. You are advised to seek legal or other professional advice before acting or relying on any of the content contained in this website.