New New Priority Occupations List as of June 2021
On 22 June 2021, it was announced that an additional 22 occupations were added to the existing 19 occupations in the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL). This, more than, doubles the number of occupations which will receive priority processing of their employer sponsored visa applications.
The PMSOL provides priority processing for employer sponsored visa applications in the prescribed occupations. Furthermore, upon issuance of the visas, you are largely exempted from Australia’s strict travel restrictions, offering ease of entry to these critical workers.
New Priority Occupations
The following occupations have been added to the PMSOL:
- Accountant (General)
- Accountant (Taxation)
- Accountant (Management)
- External Auditor
- Internal Auditor
- Electrical Engineer
- Civil Engineer
- Structural Engineer
- Geotechnical Engineer
- Transport Engineer
- Mining Engineer
- Petroleum Engineer
- Surveyor
- Cartographer
- Other Spatial Scientist
- Medical Laboratory Scientist
- Orthotist / Prosthetist
- Multimedia Specialist
- Analyst Programmer
- Software and Applications Programmers
- ICT Security Specialist
- Chef
Chef for Employer Sponsored Migration
Perhaps the most noteworthy change is the addition of chefs to the PMSOL. Right from the earliest days of Australia’s border lockdown, the hospitality industry has, as a whole, been gripped by chronic labour shortages. This loss of human capital has been well documented by the Australian media, which has given voice to the pleas of restaurant owners all over Australia. Such shortages have hit regional restaurants the hardest, who have historically struggled to find quality chefs even in the best of times.
Despite widespread demand for greater access to foreign labour, the voices of Australia’s battered hospitality industry had their complaints fall on deaf ears for more than a year. Finally, we’ve seen action taken in relation to this pressing issue, acting as a welcome source of relief to restaurateurs throughout Australia.
Tech Jobs for Employer Sponsored Migration
With the introduction of Australia’s Global Talent Independent Program, the Federal Government had set out its plan to gear the Australian migration scheme towards promoting critical and high-tech industries. Despite this ostensible commitment, such sentiments were not so evident from the previous iterations of the PMSOL.
Most damning was the previous absence of ICT Security Specialist from the priority list. One struggles to see how an area once touted to be a critical strategic industry could be so neglected under the prevailing migration scheme. This is especially egregious, given the emerging threats posed by state-sponsored corporate espionage, asymmetric warfare and other data security risks. Fortunately though, Australia is now once again in a position to attract the greatest minds in this future-proofing industry.
Furthermore, with the addition of various skilled engineering and ICT occupations to PMSOL, Australia is back on track in cultivating its capabilities in the areas of research, applied science and technology. It is hoped that these changes will help promote various industries across multiple sectors, bringing the innovation our country is known for.
New Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List
The full PMSOL is as follows:
- Chief Executive or Managing Director
- Construction Project Manager
- Accountant (General)
- Management Accountant
- Taxation Accountant
- External Auditor
- Internal Auditor
- Surveyor
- Cartographer
- Other Spatial Scientist
- Civil Engineer
- Geotechnical Engineer
- Structural Engineer
- Transport Engineer
- Electrical Engineer
- Mechanical Engineer
- Mining Engineer (excluding Petroleum)
- Petroleum Engineer
- Medical Laboratory Scientist
- Veterinarian
- Orthotist or Prosthetist
- General Practitioner
- Resident Medical Officer
- Psychiatrist
- Medical Practitioners nec
- Midwife
- Registered Nurse (Aged Care)
- Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency)
- Registered Nurse (Medical)
- Registered Nurse (Mental Health)
- Registered Nurse (Perioperative)
- Registered Nurses nec
- Multimedia Specialist
- Analyst Programmer
- Developer Programmer
- Software Engineer
- Software and Applications Programmers nec
- ICT Security Specialist
- Social Worker
- Maintenance Planner
- Chef
Employer Sponsored Visa
Employer sponsored visas are some of the most heavily scrutinised visa subclasses under the Australian migration law. Complex and strict in its requirements, it does not take much to fall afoul of the regulations. Whether you are an employer or a visa applicant, do not risk losing your visa to an avoidable mistake.
Visa Plan is a team of passionate migration lawyers who understand the needs of employer sponsors and migrant workers. With ample experience assisting businesses of all sizes and industries, our team can help you along every step of the application process.
Don’t rely on hearsay and third-party sources, speak to the professionals and make sure you’re on the right track.