New skilled migration occupation lists are due to be released in March 2020, according to the Department of Employment.
The Department has now commenced the annual review into the skilled migration occupation lists, to ensure they reflect the genuine skill needs across Australia.
The first stage of this process involves meeting with interested stakeholders, industries, and groups around the country to learn about Australia’s labour markets and skill shortages. Occupations will then be flagged and published in a ‘Traffic Light Bulletin’ highlighting which will be added, removed, or changed between the short-term and medium-long term lists. Planning shows that this bulletin should be available in December 2019.
Following the publication of the bulletin, a formal submission period will open allowing any interested parties (including businesses, associations, and individuals) to put forth their ideas and arguments around the proposed changes.
The Department is also keen to identify new or emerging occupations that are not yet reflected in the Australian and New Zealand Statistical Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO), as well as any information in relation to the suitability of ANZSCO in reflecting the Australian labour market, particularly with regard to migration.
Previous consultations and submissions resulted in the addition of a number of science-based occupations to the skills lists released on 11 March 2019. This is therefore a great opportunity for organisations to have their voices heard on what skills are actually needed in Australia and where the current occupation classifications are no longer adequate.
If your business or industry group would like to be a part of the initial consultation process, please contact the Department of Employment through their website .
As Migration Advisors, Acacia Immigration has identified numerous issues with the skilled migration occupation lists and the difficulty in identifying a proper ANZSCO due to the out-of-date definitions across a range of visa types. Once the submission stage has opened, we will be working with industry groups, businesses, and education providers their thoughts on the current lists and what changes they would like to see made to the lists and ANZSCO.
