As we indicated on a Facebook post last week, official announcements made in December last year pointed at an update of Skilled Occupation Lists in early-to-mid January 2018.
At the same time the Department of Jobs and Small Business announced that they didn’t propose any changes to the Medium and Long Term Strategic Skills List.
The Department of Jobs and Small Business is the organisation monitoring the job market at the moment and advising the Department of Immigration (now officially named Department of Home Affairs) about what should and should not be removed from the list.
They specifically said: There were substantial changes to the skilled migration occupation lists in April and July 2017. Therefore, the Government has prioritised continuity and stability. For this reason, no changes have been proposed for the medium and long-term strategic skills list at this time.
So as much as everyone else, we at Bravo Migration were expecting the January update anxiously and were curious to see what they were going to do.
The updated lists came out today and the main changes are:
1) 2 Occupations were removed from all lists:
- Building Associate
- Hair & Beauty Salon Manager
What does this mean?
Applications for visas where any of these 2 occupations above were going to be nominated cannot be lodged anymore.
Important Note: the change does not affect pending applications. In other words, if you have lodged your application before today, you will not be affected.
This is a welcome change from the approach adopted by the Department of Immigration in relation to the changes last year, where everyone was affected.
2) No changes have been made to the Occupation Lists applicable to the RSMS 187 visa
A lot of people were worried there would be changes to this list but so far, all remains the same.
Good news!
3) Changes to Occupation Lists applicable to General Skilled Migration Visas
There were not many changes here and that may be because of the reasons mentioned by the Department of Jobs and Small Business above.
- Management Consultant has been added to the MLTSSL
What does this mean?
In this case (it will not necessarily be like this in future changes, so be careful!), Management Consultants can now apply for Permanent Skilled Visas (Points-Tested Visas) and even for the Subclass 485 Graduate Skilled Visa.
What does a Management Consultant do?
According to ANZSCO which is the definition used in Migration Law, a Management Consultant “…assists organisations to achieve greater efficiency and solve organisational problems.”
Does that look like you? Contact us to discuss if you have new visa pathways under this welcome change!
- Psychotherapist was brought back to the STSOL
What does this mean?
In this case Psychotherapists can now apply for Permanent or Temporary Skilled Visas if there is a state or territory seeking professionals from this field.
What does a Psychotherapist do?
According to ANZSCO which is the definition used in Migration Law, a Psychothrapist …”provides diagnosis and treatment of mental and emotional disorders using psychotherapeutic methods such as behavioural therapy, biofeedback, relaxation therapy and other techniques”.
4) Changes to Occupation Lists applicable to Sponsorship 457 Visa
- No Occupations were moved from the MLTSSL to the STSOL
What does this mean?
If your occupation appears on the MLTSSL you can apply for a 457 Sponsorship Visa and be granted a 4-year visa. This may also mean that if your employer wants to nominate you for a permanent visa, you may be eligible after 3 years working for the same employer in the same position, subject to the position still being on the MLTSSL when you need to apply.
So all remains the same for occupations in the MLTSSL
Some Occupations were moved from the STSOL to the MLTSSL
- Horse Breeder
- Management Consultant
What does this mean?
These skilled workers who were getting sponsored on a 457 for only 2 years, are now going to be granted 4-year visas.
Good news again!
Some occupations were added back to the STSOL
- Property Manager
- Real Estate Representative
- Psychotherapist
What does this mean?
These skilled workers had been completely removed from all lists last year, so they could not apply for any visas.
They are back in the game now but will only be granted 1-year visas.
Important Note: Property Manager and Real Estate Agent are only available when job offer/position is located in a low-population area.
5) New and Amended caveats (restrictions) imposed to some occupations when nominated for a 457 or 186 ENS Direct Entry Visa
New Caveats
– Property Manager
Excludes positions that:
• have a nominated base salary of less than AUD$65,000
• with businesses that have fewer than five employees
• with businesses that have an annual turnover of less than AUD$1M
• which are not located in regional Australia
– Real Estate Representative
Excludes positions that:
• have a nominated base salary of less than AUD$65,000;
• with businesses that have fewer than five employees;
• with businesses that have an annual turnover of less than AUD$1M;
• which are not located in regional Australia.
– Management Accountant
Excludes positions that:
• are clerical, book keeper and accounting clerk positions;
• positions in businesses that have an annual turnover of less than AUD$1M;
• positions in businesses that have fewer than five employees.
– Accommodation and Hospitality Managers nec
Excludes positions which are not located in regional Australia
Amended Caveats
Changes to the wording for clarification
– Massage Therapist
– Recruitment Consultant
– Supply and Distribution Manager
– Taxation Accountant
So this is it for January 2018. More changes are predicted for July and we will keep you posted!
Please contact us on visas@bravomigration.com.au or call us on 9216 6600 and book an appointment with us!
Erica Carneiro
Co-Founder, Director and Registered Migration Agent 0532487
