Great news for employers of health, information technology and construction industry professionals! In recognition of the unprecedented challenges posed by the ongoing pandemic, current travel restrictions have been relaxed for employer sponsored visa holders within select occupations.
The Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL) specifies 17 occupations which will be provided with the following advantages:
- Priority processing for employer sponsored visas that nominate persons for a PMSOL occupation.
- Blanket exemptions to Australia’s global travel ban upon the grant of the visa.
These measures will serve to ameliorate the labour market deficiencies and economic distress caused by the pandemic. Accompanying this change will be adjustments to existing labor market testing requirements, and increased spending on training, all to ensure priority is given to getting Australians back to work.
Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List
The occupations appearing on the PMSOL include:
- Chief Executive or Managing Director (111111)
- Construction Project Manager (133111)
- Mechanical Engineer (233512)
- General Practitioner (253111)
- Resident Medical Officer (253112)
- Psychiatrist (253411)
- Medical Practitioner nec (253999)
- Midwife (254111)
- Registered Nurse (Aged Care) (254412)
- Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency) (254415)
- Registered Nurse (Medical) (254418)
- Registered Nurse (Mental Health) (254422)
- Registered Nurse (Perioperative) (254423)
- Registered Nurses nec (254499)
- Developer Programmer (261312)
- Software Engineer (261313)
- Social Worker (272511)
- Maintenance Planner (312911)
The above occupations have been chosen after careful analysis of a range of key employment and economic metrics. The applicable industries reflect both Australia’s economic needs and the ongoing pressures placed on the Australian health system.
What’s Stayed the Same?
Whilst a lot is changing, some things have stayed the same. All international entrants will continue to be subject to a strict 14-day quarantine requirement, helping to keep Australia safe as the pandemic continues internationally.
If you’re being sponsored for a visa and your occupation is not on the PMSOL, don’t stress! The Department of Home Affairs will continue to process your visa and no changes will be made to the operation of existing occupation lists.
Finally, PMSOL occupations are not exempted from applicable labour market testing requirements. The changes relate only to priority processing and travel exemptions and do not, in any way, relax the requirements for grant of a visa.
Labour Market Testing Changes
Conscious of the recent surge in Australian unemployment figures, adjustments have been made to labor market testing requirements, ensuring the system is not abused by employers, and to ensure priority is given to the employment of Australian citizens and permanent residents.
Under these changes, when advertising the nominated position, an employer must advertise on the Australian government’s Jobactive website. This change will make it easier for the Department of Home Affairs to ensure a genuine attempt is made to hire locally before sponsorship of a foreign worker is permitted.
Get in Touch
Even with these proposed changes, employer sponsorship remains a complex and expensive proposition. As such, it is important to get the right advice and get your application done correctly the first time.
Our team, staffed by migration lawyers who understand your needs, is well placed to provide the highest level of assistance. Whether you are a prospective migrant or an employer looking to hire foreign talent, it is imperative that you understand the requirements and obligations associated with your application.
To book your consultation, please submit an inquiry via the inquiry form below, or call one of our operators on +61 3 9958 5854.
The full joint media release which related to the above measures can be accessed via this link.