Australian immigration announces changes to Skilled Occupation List

As part of the changes to the Australian General Skilled Migration (GSM) program that will be coming as part of the new points test being introduced on July 1, the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) has also announced that it will be adding and removing a number of occupations from the Skilled Occupation List (SOL).

Australian immigration

DIAC will be adding and removing a number of occupations from the Skilled Occupation List (SOL).

The updated Skilled Occupation List features the addition of 13 new occupations and the removal of 4 occupations. The 13 occupations that have been added are:

Medical physicist;
Environmental health officer;
Occupational health and safety adviser;
Hospital pharmacists;
Retail pharmacists;
Barrister;
Solicitor;
Fitter (General);
Fitter and turner;
Fitter-Welder;
Metal machinist (First class);
Boat builder and repairer; AND
Shipwright.

The 4 occupations that have been removed are:

Optometrist;
Orthoptist;
Panel beater; AND
Vehicle painter.

The changes to the SOL are made following advice and recommendations made by the independent Australian immigration body, Skills Australia. In its updated form, the new SOL will feature 192 occupations and will be used to determine which applicants are eligible for independent or unsponsored skilled migration.

The benefit to being added to the SOL is that it now opens up the possibility of applicants in these occupations to qualify for the Skilled - Independent (subclass 175) visa.

The Australian Visa Bureau is an independent consulting company specialising in helping people lodge their Australia visa application with the Australian High Commission.