On 11 March 2019 the Department of Home Affairs made changes to the Skilled Occupation Lists including adding new occupations to the Medium to Long Term Skilled Occupation List (MLTSOL) and Regional Skilled Occupation List (RSOL).

Employers now have the benefit of being able to offer work and residence visa sponsorship to a wider variety of employees.

MLTSOL Additions

In total 38 occupations were added to MLTSOL earlier this month. A full list of these is below:

Arts Administrator or Manager Environmental Manager Dancer or Choreographer Music Director
Musician (Instrumental) Artistic Director Statistician Economist
Mining Engineer (excluding petroleum) Petroleum Engineer Horse Trainer Chemist
Life Scientist (not elsewhere classified) Environmental Consultant Environmental Research Scientist University Lecturer
Geophysicist Hydrogeologist Life Scientist (general) Biochemist
Biotechnologist Botanist Marine Biologist Marine Biologist
Microbiologist Zoologist Food Technologist Conservator
Metallurgist Meteorologist Physicist Multimedia Specialist
Environmental Scientist (not elsewhere classified) Natural and Physical Science Professional (not elsewhere classified) Software And Applications Programmers (not elsewhere classified) Engineering Professional (not elsewhere classified)
Shipwright Tennis Coach Footballer

Employees in these occupations are now able to be sponsored for:

  • 482 – Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (Medium Term Stream)
  • 186 – Employer Sponsored Scheme Visa
  • 187 – Regional Employer Sponsored Migration Scheme Visa.

In addition, employees may be eligible to lodge an expression of interest for Independent Skilled Migration (189, 190 and 489 visas subclasses). Employees wishing to lodge an expression of interest should  contact Hammond Taylor to discuss their eligibility for a skill assessment and their point test calculation.

RSOL Additions

The RSOL has been extended by 18 occupations. The vast majority of which are farmer or grower occupations. A full list of these is below:

Mixed Crop Grower Cotton Grower Fruit or Nut Grower Sugar Cane Grower
Aquaculture Farmer Grain, Oilseed or Pasture Grower Crop Farmer (not elsewhere clarified) Mixed Livestock Farmer
Dairy Cattle Farmer Deer Farmer Beef Cattle Farmer Pig Farmer
Sheep Farmer   Livestock Farmers (not elsewhere clarified) Mixed Crop And Livestock Farmer Dentist  
Anaesthetist  

Employees in these occupations are now able to be sponsored for:

  • 482 – Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (medium Term Stream)
  • 187 – Regional Employer Sponsored Migration Scheme Visa.

Employees may also be eligible to lodge an expression of interest for Independent Skilled Migration visa subclass 489. Employees wishing to lodge an expression of interest should  contact Hammond Taylor to discuss their eligibility for a skill assessment, their point test calculation and state sponsorship options.

How Does This Impact Our Business?

Employers may find it easier to attract overseas talent now that they are able to offer permanent residence to a wider variety of employees. This is particularly the case for primary production businesses in regional areas and business in the science or engineering fields.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.