On 11 March 2019, the Australian skilled occupation lists were significantly updated. The changes include occupations being added or removed, as well as conditions being added. Moreover, occupations have been moved from Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), to Short Term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL), and Regional Migration.

The Changes Include

• 30 occupations made available to the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)
• 5 occupations added to the Short-Term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL)
• 6 occupations moved from STSOL in to MLTSSL
• 27 occupations removed from the Short-Term Skilled Occupation List
• 2 occupations added to the Regional Occupation List
• 16 occupations moved from Regional Occupation list in to STSOL
• 8 occupations moved from Regional Migration in to MLTSSL
• 3 occupations with added conditions

University Lecturer

Many of the occupation list updates will have a positive effect on the Australian work force. For example, University Lecturer has been left off the MLTSSL list for some time now. This created a number of massive hurdles and challenges for Australian universities to fill positions with highly skilled employees. Prior to these changes, a university would have needed to hire a lecturer through the employer sponsored pathway. While the employer sponsored pathway is a viable option, it is not an efficient option as the employer sponsored pathway requires the university to commit to Permanent Residency. The permanent residency option for the RSMS 187 and ENS 186 requires the employer to offer a minimum of 2 years full-time employment. With processing times being 1-2 years, this means that university would have to accommodate to a 3-4-year commitment. This becomes an issue for many universities’ due factors such as, grant funding for research, enrolment, and course selection. These factors impair the universities ability to confidently look 4 years into the future. Furthermore, these changes will give universities and migrants more opportunities as these changes will allow for high-performing graduates a pathway to enter academia and become a part of the university faculty.

Bio-Science & Research

Another major addition is the return of the Bio-science and research professionals to the MLTSSL occupation list. The addition of Bio-Science and research professionals is welcomed because this type of occupation is very niche, which makes it exceptionally difficult to find qualified applicants to fill the skilled positions. The occupations added to the MLTSSL include:

• Environmental Consultant (ANZSCO code 234312)
• Environmental Research Scientist (ANZSCO code 234313)
• Environmental Scientists nec (ANZSCO code 234399)
• Life Scientist (General) (ANZSCO code 234511)
• Biochemist (ANZSCO code 234513)
• Biotechnologist (ANZSCO code 234514)
• Botanist (ANZSCO code 234515)
• Marine Biologist (ANZSCO code 234516)
• Microbiologist (ANZSCO code 234517)
• Zoologist (ANZSCO code 234518)
• Life Scientists nec (ANZSCO code 234599)

Throughout the programme year, immigration agents as well as the Federal Government have heard an outcry from regional businesses that are unable to fill skilled positions. In 2018, regional businesses lobbied and raised concerns for more regional migration while bigger cities faced some negative effects of population growth. In return, the Department of Home Affairs implemented some new policies and enacted some new visas. The changes to the occupation list reflect the Federal Governments consistency in improving not only Australian immigration, but also Regional migration.

Overview Of Changes

On March 11, the Department of Home Affairs released the list of changes. This is our summary. We believe the 5 most common visas these changes will affect include:

• Skilled Migration - 189 visa, 190 visa, 489 visa
• Employer Nomination Scheme - 186 Visa
• Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme RSMS - 187 Visa

*For the 190 and 489 visa applicants will need to be nominated by a state or territory.

1. arts administrator or manager (ANZSCO code 139911)
2. dancer or choreographer (ANZSCO code 211112)
3. music director (ANZSCO code 211212)
4. artistic director (ANZSCO code 212111)
5. tennis coach (ANZSCO code 452316)
6. footballer (ANZSCO code 452411)
7. telecommunications network planner (ANZSCO code 313213)
8. pressure welder (ANZSCO code 322312)

Conditions Added/Changed

Applicable Instruments: LIN 19/047 (SC 187); LIN 19/048 (SC 482); LIN 19/049 (SC 186)  

The Department of Home Affairs released this statement regarding the conditions added to the below occupations,

“New requirements for employers sponsoring overseas doctors to work in Australia will commence on 11 March 2019. When employers lodge employer nomination applications for a Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa, Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visas or Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) visa for an overseas trained doctor (OTD) in any of the occupations listed below, they must ensure the application includes a Health Workforce Certificate issued by a Rural Workforce Agency.”

The following medical practitioner occupations now require a Health Workforce Certificate for the position and occupation to be presented with the nomination application

3 Occupations With Added Conditions

Applicable Instruments: LIN 19/047 (SC 187); LIN 19/048 (SC 482); LIN 19/049 (SC 186)  

1. general practitioner (ANZSCO code 253111)
2. medical practitioners (nec) (ANZSCO code 253999)
3. resident medical officer (ANZSCO code 253112)

Condition 25

• imposes a minimum salary of $120,000 pa for footballers
• replaces Condition 23 for ship's masters and gas or petroleum operators 

Condition 26 

• replaces Conditions 23 for recruitment consultants on the STSOL and reduces the annual salary required to $80,000

Do You Need Help With An Australian Visa Application?

At Work Visa Lawyers our team of immigration lawyers and migration agents are experienced in assisting applicants in all matters relating to Australian visa applications, including state sponsorship applications. Our areas of expertise include Skilled Migration visas, Business Skills Migration visas, Employer-Sponsored Work Visas, Partner, and other Family Migration visas as well as Migration Review Tribunal, Judicial Review and Ministerial Intervention.

Other parent visa options:

• 143 Contributory Parent Visa
• 103 Parent Visa

If you require further information regarding your Australia visa options you can contact us through:

(08) 8351 9956 or   This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.