The Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) is lifting the suspension on its General Skilled Migration programme, as the new Skilled Occupations List (SOL), which took effect last week, comes into force.
The SOL, announced in May and effective since 1 July, reduced the number of occupations in demand from 480 in the now defunct Critical Skills List to 181. The Australian government said at the time of the announcement that the SOL would bring to Australia the skills the country needs, changing its migration programme to become more demand-driven.
Migrants who are still in the process of preparing their offshore application under the General Skilled Migration programme should look at the new SOL for the latest skills in demand down under.
The DIAC has also announced the State and Territory SOL, for applicants nominated by a State or Territory government agency under a State Migration Plan. These state and territorial lists represent additional opportunities for potential migrants to be able to move to Australia under the General Skilled Migration programme.
However, as Australian states and territories are yet to announce their respective lists, it is possible – and likely – that not all occupations on that State and Territory SOL will be in demand in all states.
If you are looking to apply for an Australian visa under the General Skilled Migration programme, contact the Working In Visas team and find out how they can help you.
