This page summarises changes to the Lists of eligible skilled occupations for Australia’s skilled visa programs that will come in to effect on 18 March 2018 to coincide with the introduction of the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa (subclass 482) and complementary reforms to permanent skilled visas.
The main change being implemented on this date is the introduction of an interim Regional Occupation List (ROL) that will be available for a number of skilled visa programs as indicated below, where the nominated position will be in a regional area. The Department of Jobs and Small Business conducted labour market analysis to inform this interim ROL. It will be reviewed as part of the regular update in mid-2018, and industry and the public will have an opportunity to provide feedback at this time.
| Subclasses (streams or types) | Key Changes |
|---|---|
| Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa (subclass 186) | A new skilled occupation list has been published, with eligible occupations for this program included on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) only.
208 skilled occupations are now eligible for this visa program. Overseas workers must be nominated in one of these skilled occupations unless separate arrangements are in place under a labour agreement or transitional arrangements* apply to the worker in relation to a Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream nomination. Work experience related caveats have been removed. |
| Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) visa (subclass 187) | A new skilled occupation list has been published, with eligible skilled occupations for this program included on the MLTSSL, as well as, the ROL for employers in regional areas.
The same number of 673 skilled occupations continue to be eligible for this visa program. These occupations (and related assessing authorities where applicable) apply to bothDirect Entry and TRT streams. Overseas workers must be nominated in one of these occupations unless transitional arrangements* apply to the worker in relation to a TRT stream nomination. |
| Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) – Points-tested stream | New instrument published and applicants for this visa program will continue to be able to access the MLTSSL.
176 skilled occupations remain eligible for this visa program. |
| Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) | New instrument published and visa applicants will continue being able to access the MLTSSL and a smaller number of skilled occupations on the Short-term Skilled Occupations List (STSOL) – in order to support Australia’s regional economy.
416 skilled occupations remain eligible for this visa program. |
| Training visa (subclass 407) | New instrument published and a number of additional occupational/professional training skilled occupations on the ROL are now available for regional employers.
512 skilled occupations are now eligible for this visa program. |
| Temporary Work (Skilled) visa (subclass 457) – this visa is closed to new applications. | No changes.
461 skilled occupations remain eligible for this visa program. |
| Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa (subclass 482) | The TSS skilled occupation list is published in a separate instrument. This instrument lists:
The skilled occupations included in this instrument are those which were previously available for the subclass 457 visa program, as well as new skilled occupations from the new ROL list. 509 skilled occupations are now eligible for this visa program. Overseas workers must be nominated in one of these skilled occupations unless separate arrangements are in place under a labour agreement. Work experience related caveats have been removed and there have been some changes to regional caveats for certain occupations. |
| Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) – Graduate Work | New instrument published and applicants for this visa program will continue being able to access the MLTSSL.
176 skilled occupations remain eligible for this visa program. |
| Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489) – Family nominated | New instrument published and applicants for this visa program will continue being able to access the MLTSSL.
176 skilled occupations remain eligible for this visa program. |
| Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489) – State or Territory nominated | New instrument published and skilled workers nominated by a state or territory government can apply with an occupation on the ROL, which allows workers to live and work in regional or low-population growth metropolitan areas.
475 skilled occupations are now eligible for this visa program. |
The Lists of eligible skilled occupations and the Combined current list of eligible skilled occupations have been updated to reflect the above changes. The lists will easily indicate:
- whether a skilled occupation is on the MLTSSL, STSOL or ROL
- which visa subclasses are available for a particular skilled occupation
- whether any occupational caveats apply to subclass 186 or TSS visa programs – see Caveats on occupations.
*Note: Skilled occupation list requirements will not apply to TRT stream applicants who either:
- held a subclass 457 visa on 18 April 2017 and continues to hold this visa (or a TSS visa / related bridging visa at time of application)
- lodged a subclass 457 visa application on or before 18 April 2017, which was subsequently granted, and continues to hold this visa (or a TSS / related bridging visa at time of application).