The August 2015 update of the ACT Occupation List has now been published:
ACT Occupation comparison Aug 15.
There has been a small decrease in the number of occupations in demand with minimal variation in the skill type and industry sector. By way of example:
- The skills need has eased for Plumbers, Architectural and Building Associates. These occupations are now closed.
- The status of Civil Engineers has changed to ‘open’ indicating increased skills demand.
- The ‘open’ status of the following occupations remains unchanged indicating a continual high demand for skills: child care centre managers, general practitioners, retail pharmacist, early childhood teachers, architects, medical imaging, registered nurses, counsellors, panel beaters and psychologists.
Over the last 18 months, the ACT Skilled Migration Program has re-focused its skill attraction activities to give priority to Canberra residents and graduates working in skilled occupations, or their immediate family living overseas who can demonstrate good employment prospects in Canberra. In 2014 – 15, 41% of applications for ACT nomination were from temporary visa holders and international students living in Canberra. This figure is expected to increase in 2015 – 2016 as Canberra residents working in a skilled occupation are eligible to apply for ACT nomination, even if their occupation is closed.