The Critical Skills List (CSL)
In late 2008, the Australian Immigration Department established a Critical Skills List (CSL), a list of occupations in high demand in Australia. The Critical Skills List applies only to people who are seeking to migrate under the Skilled Migration Program and who are not sponsored by an employer or nominated by a state or territory government.
The CSL was developed in consultation with state and territory governments and the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR). Its focus has traditionally been on building trades, information technology professionals, engineers and medical professionals. The list is reviewed regularly and updated as necessary to ensure it remains responsive to skill demands.
CSL to be revoked in mid-2010
Chris Evans, Australia’s Minister of Immigration, announced in February 2010 that the CSL will be revoked when the new Skilled Occupation List (SOL) is introduced sometime in mid-2010. Priority processing arrangements for applications for permanent skilled migration will continue until they are reviewed in mid-2010. Until the revocation, the CSL will remain as follows:
| Occupation shortages – professional |
|---|
| Anaesthetist |
| Dentist |
| Electronic equipment trades |
| Emergency medicine specialist |
| Engineer – chemical |
| Engineer – civil |
| Engineer – electrical |
| Engineer – electronics |
| Engineer – mechanical |
| Engineer – mining |
| Engineer – production or plant engineer |
| Aircraft maintenance engineer – avionics |
| Aircraft maintenance engineer – mechanical |
| Gasfitter |
| General medical practitioner |
| Medical diagnostic radiographer |
| Obstetrician & Gynaecologist |
| Occupational therapist |
| Pharmacist – hospital |
| Pharmacist – retail |
| Physiotherapist |
| Podiatrist |
| Psychiatrist |
| Quantity surveyor |
| Registered mental health nurse |
| Registered midwife |
| Registered nurse |
| Secondary school teacher |
| Specialist medical practitioners NEC |
| Specialist physician |
| Surgeon |
| Surveyor |
| Urban & regional planner |
| Wall & floor tiler |
| Speech pathologist |
| Sonographer |
| Ophthalmologist |
| Paediatrician |
| Pathologist |
| Radiologist |
| Accountant – where the applicant has achieved a score of at least IELTS 7 in each of the four competencies, and/or has completed The Professional Year – Skilled Migration Internship Program Accounting (SMIPA) |
| Computer professionals – where the applicant’s specialisation is listed on the Migration on Demand List (MODL) |
SOURCE: Australian Immigration Department CSL
