Australia has announced some major changes to its immigration system, including eligible occupations for permanent and temporary immigration.
The changes to the occupation lists have been made following consultation with the Department of Jobs and Small Business based on the labour market advice provided by the department.
In the latest update, 36 new occupations have been added to the Medium and Long-Term Skill List, including professional footballers and tennis coaches.
The Department of Home Affairs says the update to the skilled occupations lists ensures that the entry of skilled foreign workers to Australia remains carefully calibrated to Australia’s needs.
“The Government continues to focus the Migration Program on addressing skills gaps in the economy and these initiatives demonstrate that commitment,” Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, David Coleman said.
Visa rules relaxed to help farmers and sports bodies
The latest update to the Skilled Occupation Lists includes adding 18 new occupations to the Regional Occupation List.
The occupations include livestock, beef, dairy, sheep, aquaculture and crop farmers, among other agricultural roles.
The category of dentist and anaesthetist have also been added to the regional list to meet skill shortages.
Source: AAP
Mr Coleman says farmers battling with drought and regional communities will benefit from the changes.
“We want Australians filling Australian jobs but when this isn’t possible action is needed to ensure farmers can continue to operate,” he said.
The Regional Occupation List allows employers to sponsor overseas workers to live and work in Australia for up to four years for the sponsoring employer in a specified region. The government introduced a pathway to permanent residency for the sponsored workers in designated areas, besides concessions in English language, salary and work experience requirements.
The new changes will apply to new applications and will not affect existing nominations or applications.
Changes to assessing authorities for some occupations have also been made.
New occupations added to MLTSSL
Arts Administrator or Manager
Dancer or Choreographer
Music Director
Artistic Director
Tennis Coach
Footballer
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
18 occupations added to the Regional Occupation List
Aquaculture Farmer
Cotton Grower
Fruit or Nut Grower
Grain, Oilseed or Pasture Grower (Aus)/field crop grower (NZ)
Mixed Crop Farmer
Sugar Cane Grower
Crop Farmers nec
Beef Cattle Farmer
Dairy Cattle Farmer
Mixed Livestock Farmer
Deer Farmer
Goat Farmer
Pig Farmer
Sheep Farmer
Livestock Farmers nec
Mixed Crop and Livestock Farmer
Dentist
Anaesthetist
27 occupations have been removed from the Short Term Skill Shortage List
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
Authorised Version Explanatory Statement registered
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
Pig Farmer
Sheep Farmer
Livestock Farmers nec
Mixed Crop and Livestock Farmer
Dentist
Anaesthetist
Tennis Coach
Australia’s Regional Occupation List has been expanded with 18 new occupations added to it.
Aquaculture Farmer
Cotton Grower
Fruit or Nut Grower
Grain, Oilseed or Pasture Grower (Aus)/field crop grower
Mixed Crop Farmer
Sugar Cane Grower
Crop Farmers nec
Beef Cattle Farmer
Dairy Cattle Farmer
Mixed Livestock Farmer
Deer Farmer
Goat Farmer
Pig Farmer
Sheep Farmer
Livestock Farmers nec
Mixed Crop and Livestock Farmer
Dentist
Anaesthetist
