The revised SOL (Skilled Occupation List) for Australian Immigration was released with 36 new occupations. New occupations were included after thorough consultation with the Department of Jobs and Small Businesses. The idea is to use immigration to fill in the gaps that are created due to aging population and declining birthrate.

The new occupation list and recent changes to the immigration policy provide more freedom to organizations in relation to immigrant sponsorship. For instance, now farmers and sports clubs have the ability to sponsor immigrants. While corroborating this move, Department of Home Affairs says that this way the immigration system will remain in line with Australia’s needs.

Adding the following 36 occupations into the MLTSSL

  1. 139911 Arts Administrator or Manager
  2. 139912 Environmental Manager
  3. 211112 Dancer or Choreographer
  4. 211212 Music Director
  5. 211213 Musician (Instrumental)
  6. 212111 Artistic Director
  7. 224113 Statistician
  8. 224311 Economist
  9. 233611 Mining Engineer (excluding Petroleum)
  10. 233612 Petroleum Engineer
  11. 233999 Engineering Professionals nec
  12. 234211 Chemist
  13. 234212 Food Technologist
  14. 234312 Environmental Consultant
  15. 234313 Environmental Research Scientist
  16. 234399 Environmental Scientists nec
  17. 234412 Geophysicist
  18. 234413 Hydrogeologist
  19. 234511 Life Scientist (General)
  20. 234513 Biochemist
  21. 234514 Biotechnologist
  22. 234515 Botanist
  23. 234516 Marine Biologist
  24. 234517 Microbiologist
  25. 234518 Zoologist
  26. 234599 Life Scientists nec
  27. 234911 Conservator
  28. 234912 Metallurgist
  29. 234913 Meteorologist
  30. 234999 Natural and Physical Science Professionals nec
  31. 242111 University Lecturer
  32. 261211 Multimedia Specialist
  33. 261399 Software and Applications Programmers nec
  34. 361112 Horse Trainer
  35. 452316 Tennis Coach
  36. 452411 Footballer
The following 27 occupations are no longer a part of the STSOL
  1. Anaesthetist (ANZSCO code 253211)
  2. Aquaculture Farmer (ANZSCO code 121111)
  3. Artistic Director (ANZSCO code 212111)
  4. Arts Administrator or Manager (ANZSCO code 139911)
  5. Beef Cattle Farmer (ANZSCO code 121312)
  6. Chemical Plant Operator (ANZSCO code 399211)
  7. Cotton Grower (ANZSCO code 121211)
  8. Crop Farmers nec (ANZSCO code 121299)
  9. Dairy Cattle Farmer (ANZSCO code 121313)
  10. Dancer or Choreographer (ANZSCO code 211112)
  11. Dentist (ANZSCO code 252312)
  12. Footballer (ANZSCO code 452411)
  13. Fruit or Nut Grower (ANZSCO code 121213)
  14. Grain, Oilseed or Pasture Grower (ANZSCO code 121214)
  15. Library Technician (ANZSCO code 399312)
  16. Livestock Farmers nec (ANZSCO code 121399)
  17. Mixed Crop and Livestock Farmer (ANZSCO code 121411)
  18. Mixed Crop Farmer (ANZSCO code 121216)
  19. Mixed Livestock Farmer (ANZSCO code 121317)
  20. Music Director (ANZSCO code 211212)
  21. Pig Farmer (ANZSCO code 121318)
  22. Sheep Farmer (ANZSCO code 121322)
  23. Sugar Cane Grower (ANZSCO code 121217)
  24. Tennis Coach (ANZSCO code 4542316)
  25. Textile, Clothing and Footwear Mechanic (ANZSCO code 323215)
  26. Visual Arts and Crafts Professionals (ANZSCO code 211499)
  27. Watch and Clock Maker and Repairer (ANZSCO code 323316)

18 occupations added to the Regional Occupation List

  1. Anaesthetist (ANZSCO code 253211)
  2. Aquaculture Farmer (ANZSCO code 121111)
  3. Beef Cattle Farmer (ANZSCO code 121312)
  4. Cotton Grower (ANZSCO code 121211)
  5. Crop Farmers nec (ANZSCO code 121299)
  6. Dairy Cattle Farmer (ANZSCO code 121313)
  7. Deer Farmer (ANZSCO code 121314)
  8. Dentist (ANZSCO code 252312)
  9. Fruit or Nut Grower (ANZSCO code 121213)
  10. Goat Farmer (ANZSCO code 121315)
  11. Grain, Oilseed or Pasture Grower (Aus)/field crop grower (NZ) (ANZSCO code 121214)
  12. Livestock Farmers nec (ANZSCO code 121399)
  13. Mixed Crop and Livestock Farmer (ANZSCO code 121411)
  14. Mixed Crop Farmer (ANZSCO code 121216)
  15. Mixed Livestock Farmer (ANZSCO code 121317)
  16. Pig Farmer (ANZSCO code 121318)
  17. Sheep Farmer (ANZSCO code 121322)
  18. Sugar Cane Grower (ANZSCO code 121217)
The following assessing authorities have made changes which are reflected in the instrument:
  1. Family Support Worker from VETASSESS to ACWA
  2. Residential Care Officer from VETASSESS to ACWA
  3. Disabilities Services Officer from VETASSESS to ACWA
  4. Podiatrist from APodA or ANZPAC to ANZPAC
 

According to David Coleman, Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, “The Government continues to focus the Migration Program on addressing skills gaps in the economy and these initiatives demonstrate that commitment.” He also talks about the benefit included in this plan for regional Australia. He further adds, “We want Australians filling Australian jobs but when this isn’t possible action is needed to ensure farmers can continue to operate.”

The latest occupations introduced to the SOL include occupation for both temporary and permanent visa categories. The regional sponsorship occupations are temporary and enable an employer to sponsor an immigrant to live in an Australian region for 4 years. After this period, the immigrant can apply for a visa extension or a permanent visa.