What are the new and updated immigration pathways for overseas workers?
This article will be updated with the latest PMSOL changes as they happen. So bookmark this page to get all the latest information.
Last updated 7th July 2021
Since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, Australia has implemented some of the harshest travel restrictions in the world, which has affected the ability of Australian businesses to source skilled overseas workers.
But the good news for Australian businesses and people seeking to work in Australia is that the Department of Home Affairs (the Australian Immigration Department) has announced that there are an additional 22 occupations that have been added to the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL).
What are some of the key occupations that have been added to the list
We’ll cover these new occupations in full below but some of the occupations that have been added to the list include Accountant (General, Taxation and Management), Engineer (Civil, Structural, Geotechnical, Transport, Mining, and Petroleum), Analyst Programmer, and Chef.
The PMSOL originally commenced with only 17 occupations, which were considered to be vital to Australia’s economic recovery from Covid-19 as well as filling critical skill needs. These new 22 occupations were added to the PMSOL due to the current labour shortages and the need to source essential skills for critical sectors.
With these new additions here is the full Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List for overseas workers?
New Occupations Added to the PMSOL
- Accountant (General) (221111)
- Accountant (Taxation) (221113)
- Accountant (Management) (221112)
- External Auditor (221213)
- Internal Auditor (221214)
- Electrical Engineer (233311)
- Civil Engineer (233211)
- Structural Engineer (233214)
- Geotechnical Engineer (233212)
- Transport Engineer (233215)
- Mining Engineer (233611)
- Petroleum Engineer (233612)
- Surveyor (232212)
- Cartographer (232213)
- Other Spatial Scientist (232214)
- Medical Laboratory Scientist (234611)
- Orthotist / Prosthetist (251912)
- Multimedia Specialist (261211)
- Analyst Programmer (261311)
- Software and Applications Programmers (261399)
- ICT Security Specialist (262112)
- Chef (351311)
Previous to this announcement, one of the very few travel exemptions available to overseas workers were for those who’d had been employed by an Australian business and propose to work in one of the occupations listed on the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL).
Complete List Of The Occupations Now Listed On The PMSOL:
- Accountant (General) (221111)
- Analyst Programmer (261311)
- Cartographer (232213)
- Chef (351311)
- Chief Executive or Managing Director (111111)
- Civil Engineer (233211)
- Construction Project Manager (133111)
- Developer Programmer (261312)
- Electrical Engineer (233311)
- External Auditor (221213)
- General Practitioner (253111)
- Geotechnical Engineer (233212)
- ICT Security Specialist (262112)
- Internal Auditor (221214)
- Maintenance Planner (312911)
- Management Accountant (221112)
- Mechanical Engineer (233512)
- Medical Laboratory Scientist (234611)
- Medical Practitioners nec (253999)
- Midwife (254111)
- Mining Engineer (excluding Petroleum) (233611)
- Multimedia Specialist (261211)
- Orthotist or Prosthetist (251912)
- Other Spatial Scientist (232214)
- Petroleum Engineer (233612)
- Psychiatrist (253411)
- 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)
- Resident Medical Officer (253112)
- Social Worker (272511)
- Software and Applications Programmers nec (261399)
- Software Engineer (261313)
- Structural Engineer (233214)
- Surveyor (232212)
- Taxation Accountant (221113)
- Transport Engineer (233215)
- Veterinarian (234711)
What other requirements are there for overseas workers and Australian Businesses looking to take advantage of these changes?
In order to travel to Australia, offshore workers will still need to be successfully sponsored by an Australian business and obtain an exemption to the travel restrictions, as there is still no guarantee that an exemption will automatically be granted on this basis.
Do you need help?
If you require assistance with a work sponsorship application, and/or a travel exemption, please do not hesitate to contact us for a consultation.
