Lists of eligible Skilled Occupations for Australian Visas

The Australian Government announced reforms to Australia’s temporary and permanent skilled visa programs on 18 April 2017. As part of these reforms, the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) was replaced by a Combined list containing the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) and Regional Occupation List (ROL).

In order to qualify for general skill migration or employed sponsor stream to Australia, you must nominate an occupation from one of these lists and can meet the other relevant requirements of the visa.

Difference among MLTSSL, STSOL and ROL under Employer sponsored visa stream

• The short-term stream is for employers to source temporary overseas skilled workers in occupations included on the STSOL for two years, with a possible extension of an additional two years, and with no eligibility to apply for permanent residence.
• The medium-term stream is for employers to source highly skilled overseas workers to fill critical skills in occupations included on the MLTSSL for up to four years, with eligibility to apply for permanent residence after three years.
• The ROL is for highly skilled overseas workers employed in designated regional areas and operates alongside the current STSOL and MLTSSL. It provides for a four-year visa with a permanent residency pathway.

What about the State Nomination lists?

Each state government/territory creates their own list eligible for state nomination under state nominated visa stream, i.e. subclass 190 and subclass 489 visa applications.

Candidates need to search whether their nominated occupations on are the state government’s occupation list before they proceed in seeking state nomination approval from the relevant state government.

Subclasses	Number of eligible occupations
ENS visa (subclass 186)	216 skilled occupations
Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) visa (subclass 187)	673 skilled occupations
Skilled Independent, Skilled Regional (Provisional) Family nominated and Temporary Graduate visas (subclasses 189, 489 and 485)	212 skilled occupations
Skilled Regional (Provisional) State or Territory nominated visa (subclass 489)	504 skilled occupations
Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)	427 skilled occupations
TSS visa (subclass 482)	508 skilled occupations
Training visa (subclass 407)	509 skilled occupations

My occupation is subject to a caveat – what does this mean?

To ensure that only foreign workers of a higher skill level are sponsored, some occupations on the lists are subject to caveats.

Examples of visa caveats include:

• Applicant must be paid a higher minimum salary than might otherwise be required based on the market rate (e.g. a Recruitment Consultant must have a base salary of at least $90,000)
• Nominated position must not include low skill tasks
• The sponsor must have at least five full time employees
• The sponsor must have at least $1 million turnover, etc.

Are the Occupation Lists subject to change?

The MLTSSL and STSOL are reviewed at least biannually to ensure Australia is targeting those occupations which it needs in the short term. Occupations can move between the MLTSSL and the STSOL, or be removed from the lists altogether. There is no guarantee that your occupation will remain on a list.

Therefore, it is important for students to be aware that there is NO guarantee that your studies in Australia will lead you to Permanent Residency. We recommend you to read our article ‘ Which course will lead to PR in Australia?’

Occupations flagged

A “Traffic Light” system is being used – with some occupations flagged that are under consideration for a proposed change in their status on the STSOL and MLTSSL.

What happens if my Occupation is removed from one or both lists?

If an occupation has been removed from the list and you have not yet lodged your applications with the relevant authorities, you may not be eligible for the visa application you have proposed.

If you are a holder of subclass 457 visa or have applied for/held a subclass 457 visa prior to 18 April 2017, you can contact our office to find your eligibility for certain visas, as grandfathering clause may be applicable to you under such circumstances.