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Removal of Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List – Consequences

Removal of Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List- Consequences

Today when this writer attempted to open the webpage containing the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List, it came up with an error. Such a page did not exist!

For over a year, the website https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/employing-and-sponsoring-someone/sponsoring-workers/pmsol had been a valuable tool for students, employers and migration professionals. And it seems strange that the site does not exist any more. So it is time to look at the future – what happens now and what are its consequences.

 

The previous Coalition government had set up a Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL) during the height of the Covid pandemic and Australia strict border restrictions to speed up the processing of certain high priority occupations. There were 44 occupations on this list and these occupations were identified as critical to Australia’s economic recovery. Applications with an occupation on the PMSOL list were given priority processing for visa subclasses such as the temporary Skills Shortage Visa( subclass 482), Employer Nomination Scheme visa ( subclass 186) and Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional ( Provisional) visa ( subclass 494).

 

As mentioned earlier, this list has been abandoned and a new Ministerial Direction No 100 has been released which prioritises in the following manner:

 

Nomination applications:

(a) Nomination applications in relation to a healthcare or teaching occupation

(b) Nomination applications lodged by an Approved sponsor with Accredited Status

(c) Nomination applications in relation to an occupation to be carried out in a designated regional area

(d) All other nomination applications

Visa applications

(a) Visa applications in relation to a healthcare or teaching occupation

(b) For employer sponsored visas, visa applications where the applicant is nominated by an Approved sponsor with Accredited Status

(c) Visa applications in relation to an occupation to be carried out in a designated regional area

(d) For permanent and provisional visa subclasses, visa applications that count towards the migration program, excluding the Subclass 188 (Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional)) visa

(e) All other visa applications.

The skilled visas that this Direction applies to are as follows

(a) Subclass 124 (Distinguished Talent) visa

(b) Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme) visa

(c) Subclass 187 (Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme) visa

(d) Subclass 188 (Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional)) visa

(e) Subclass 189 (Skilled – Independent) (Points-tested stream) visa

(f) Subclass 190 (Skilled – Nominated) visa

(g) Subclass 191 (Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional)) visa

(h) Subclass 457 (Temporary Work (Skilled)) visa

(i) Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage) visa

(j) Subclass 489 (Skilled – Regional (Provisional)) visa

(k) Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional (Provisional)) visa

(l) Subclass 494 (Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional)) visa

(m) Subclass 858 (Global Talent) visa

(n) Subclass 887 (Skilled — Regional) visa

(o) Subclass 888 (Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) visa.

The Ministerial Direction provides for Priority to be given for provisional and permanent skilled visa applications where the primary applicant is located outside Australia at the time the visa application is made and those who are holders of eligible passports.

So, what does this bode for occupations such as Accountants, ICT based occupations, Construction Project Managers and Engineers ( Civil, mechanical, Geotechnical, Transport, Electrical, Mining and Petroleum)?

 

If they are overseas, and are nominated for a 482 visa or a 186 visa or a 494 visa by an Accredited sponsor they may stand a chance of getting the visa sooner.  Similar is the case with applications for the 189 ( skilled independent), subclass 190 ( skilled Nominated visa) and the Skilled Work regional ( Provisional) visa- subclass 491. If not, applicants in these occupations will need to brace themselves for  a long wait to get a decision on their applications.

 

It is difficult to understand the rationale behind removing crucial tech roles such as ICT Security Specialist from the list given Australia’s recent issues with cyber attacks. This could have grave consequences for Australia given that the pre-existing skills shortages in the tech  industry. Do we not need engineers and ICT specialists any more?

 

Watch this space for more details to unfold in the coming days!

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