New Australian Skilled Occupation List (SOL) announced

At around 200 occupations the new SOL is half the size of the previous list but still includes medical professionals including dentists, nurses and osteopaths, as well as engineers, teachers, IT professionals, welders and other trade occupations.

The new SOL will take effect from 1 July 2010 and will apply to all individuals who wish to apply for an Australian Visa to live and work in Australia under the General Skilled Migration Program.

The SOL will not affect Australian Immigration applications under the Employer Nomination Scheme or employer sponsored temporary residency visas.

"This SOL represents a new direction which aims to ensure we choose migrants who have the skills to meet our nation's economic needs,” Senator Evans said.

"The initiative builds on the reforms announced in February. The Government has increased English language requirements for trade applicants and introduced a new job ready program for onshore trade applicants.

"There is now increased priority for employer sponsored migrants and this will ensure industry is able to quickly access the skilled workers it needs," he said.

Individuals who have already submitted skilled Australian Visa applications will have their applications assessed against occupations appearing on the current SOL.

The new SOL will also not apply to people who, on the 8 February 2010, held a subclass 485 (skilled graduate) visa or had a pending subclass 485 visa application and who apply for a provisional or permanent onshore General Skilled Migration visa before the 31 December 2012.

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The Australian Visa Bureau is an independent consulting company specialising in helping people lodge their Australian Visa applications with the Australian Embassy.