With the hope of filling labour shortages for businesses in Australia, the government is expanding the number of occupations to better reflect the urgent skills shortages in the context of pandemic recovery.
Minister Alex Hawke says government engaged with employers, business leaders, and industry bodies to determine the changes.
“Government has received valuable feedback from Australian business stakeholders on critical skill vacancies, which has been considered together with data from the National Skills Commission, in order to develop today's update to the Priority Migration Skilled Migration List," Minister Hawke said.
“The Morrison Government will continue to support Australian businesses, including through skilled migration, as the engine room of our nation's economy."
22 new occupations have been added to PMSOL on 22 June 2021 (including ANZSCO codes):
- Accountant (General) (221111)
- Accountant (Taxation) (221113)
- Accountant (Management) (221112)
- External Auditor (221213)
- Internal Auditor (221214)
- Electrical Engineer (233311)
- Civil Engineer (233211)
- Structural Engineer (233214)
- Geotechnical Engineer (233212)
- Transport Engineer (233215)
- Mining Engineer (233611)
- Petroleum Engineer (233612)
- Surveyor (232212)
- Cartographer (232213)
- Other Spatial Scientist (232214)
- Medical Laboratory Scientist (234611)
- Orthotist / Prosthetist (251912)
- Multimedia Specialist (261211)
- Analyst Programmer (261311)
- Software and Applications Programmers (261399)
- ICT Security Specialist (262112)
- Chef (351311)
Due to border closures under the COVID-19 pandemic, Australia's net migration has dropped to negative levels not seen since World War Two.
The Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL) identifies 41 occupations which fill critical skills needs to support Australia’s economic recovery from COVID-19. The list is based on expert advice from the National Skills Commission and consultation with Commonwealth departments.
Existing occupations on the PMSOL
- Chief Executive or Managing Director (111111)
- Construction Project Manager (133111)
- Mechanical Engineer (233512)
- General Practitioner (253111)
- Resident Medical Officer (253112)
- Psychiatrist (253411)
- Medical Practitioner nec (253999)
- Midwife (254111)
- Registered Nurse (Aged Care) (254412)
- Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency) (254415)
- Registered Nurse (Medical) (254418)
- Registered Nurse (Mental Health) (254422)
- Registered Nurse (Perioperative) (254423)
- Registered Nurses nec (254499)
- Developer Programmer (261312)
- Software Engineer (261313)
- Maintenance Planner (312911)
- Veterinarian (234711)
- Social Worker (272511)
How it works
If your occupation is one of the above occupations, you will need to be sponsored by an Australian business or entity.
Priority processing will be given to Employer-sponsored applicants in the PMSOL occupations for both nomination and visa applications in the following visa types:
- Subclass 482 - Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa
- Subclass 494 - Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa
- Subclass 186 - Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa
- Subclass 187 - Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS)
Visa holders who have been sponsored by a business will be able to request an exemption from Australia’s travel restrictions, but will be subject to a strict 14 days of quarantine on arrival at their own expense.
Information about Australia’s travel exemption processes for those in critical skills and sectors is available at:
This information is intended as a general reference. It is best to consult or seek professional advice from a Registered Migration Agent or relevant representative of Department of Home Affairs that is knowledgeable in the specific area of your migration related enquiry.
