The Department of Jobs and Small Business is responsible for reviewing the composition of the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL), the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) and the Regional Occupation List (ROL) to identify occupations that would benefit from skilled migration for the purpose of meeting the skill needs of the Australian economy.
Theses lists then impact the ability of employers to sponsor positions and individuals to apply for employer sponsored visas (e.g. subclasses 482, 186 and 187).
Recently, the Department of Jobs and Small Business have released a preliminary list of flagged occupations and requested submissions in order to undertake the usual consultation process.
Flagged occupations
The following table sets out the positions which are flagged for possible changes:
ANZSCO | Occupation | Proposed Change |
| 133411 | Manufacturer | Removal from SOL |
| 211499 | Visual Arts and Crafts Professionals nec | Removal from SOL |
| 212312 | Director (Film, Television, Radio or Stage) | Removal from SOL |
| 212314 | Film and Video Editor | Removal from SOL |
| 212315 | Program Director (Television or Radio) | Removal from SOL |
| 212316 | Stage Manager | Removal from SOL |
| 212317 | Technical Director | Removal from SOL |
| 212318 | Video Producer | Removal from SOL |
| 241311 | Middle School Teacher | Removal from SOL |
| 323215 | Textile, Clothing and Footwear Mechanic | Removal from SOL |
| 323316 | Watch and Clock Maker and Repairer | Removal from SOL |
| 342411 | Cabler (Data and Telecommunications) | Removal from SOL |
| 342413 | Telecommunications Linesworker | Removal from SOL |
| 399211 | Chemical Plant Operator | Removal from SOL |
| 399312 | Library Technician | Removal from SOL |
| 411715 | Residential Care Officer | Removal from SOL |
| 599612 | Insurance Loss Adjuster | Removal from SOL |
| 221112 | Management Accountant | Removal from MLTSSL to STSOL |
| 234111 | Agricultural Consultant | Removal from MLTSSL to STSOL |
| 312212 | Civil Engineering Technician | Removal from MLTSSL to STSOL |
| 452411 | Footballer | Addition to MLTSSL. |
| 252312 | Dentist | Removal from STSOL to ROL |
| 253211 | Anaesthetist | Removal from STSOL to ROL |
What this means
If an occupation is Removed from the SOL:
- existing foreign workers in these positions will not be able to obtain further employer sponsored visas in the same position (though they can remain working on their existing visas);
- new foreign workers in these positions will not be eligible for employer sponsored visas.
If an occupation is Removed from MLTSSL to STSOL:
- existing foreign workers in these occupations will not be able to apply for permanent residence through the employer sponsored program (unless transitional provisions apply);
- new foreign workers will be able to apply for temporary employer sponsored visas but will not have a pathway to permanent residence through the employer sponsored visa program;
- new foreign workers will only be able to apply for temporary employer sponsored visas with a maximum validity period of 2 years.
If an occupation is Added to the MLTSSL:
- existing foreign workers in these occupations can consider employer sponsored permanent residence visa applications;
- new foreign workers will now have the option for applying for permanent residence under the employer sponsored visa program (Direct Entry or TRTS).
If an occupation is Removed from the SOL to the ROL:
- existing foreign workers will be able to continue working on their existing visas but further visa applications will require relocation to a regional area (among other considerations).
Any questions?
If you are a foreign worker sponsored in one of the flagged occupations, or are a business that hires foreign workers in these occupations, contact us now to consider alternative visa options by email: [email protected] or telephone (02 8005 1484).
