Occupations Added to the 489 Regional Occupation List
By Nicole Kirkwood
Tuesday, 19 June 2018
Whilst much attention has been given to the changes in the employer sponsored program, exciting changes were made to the Regional Occupations List (ROL) for the Skilled Regional (Provisional) subclass 489 visa.
59 occupations were added to this ROL including the following which were removed from all occupation lists in 2017:
- Human Resource Advisor
- Policy Analyst
- Procurement Manager
- Vocational Education Teacher
- Dental Hygienist
- Dental Technician
- Translator
- Financial Institution Branch Manager
- Multimedia Designer
- Safety Inspector
- Pathology Collector
This is a positive outcome for many human resource specialists who were left without a migration pathway and with the addition of Policy Analyst seems to benefit those working in the areas of academic, research and policy who have previously found employer sponsorship difficult.
The subclass 489 is a provisional, or temporary, visa valid for up to 4 years but, offers a pathway to the Skilled Regional subclass 887 visa, a permanent residence visa. The 489 visa holder would be required to meet relevant criteria including maintain residence in a regional area of Australia for at least 2 years, whilst working a minimum of 35 hours per week in any occupation, in a regional area of Australia for at least 12 months.
Benefits of a subclass 489 visa application
Traditionally, skilled foreign nationals have transitioned from a Student visa or Graduate Work/Post Study Work visa to permanent residence under the General Skilled Migration program; either with a Skilled Nominated subclass 190 or Skilled Independent subclass 189 visa.
However, it has become increasingly difficult for many to secure the Government invitations required to lodge those subclass 190 or subclass 189 applications, putting at risk their ability to maintain lawful immigration.
The benefits of submitting a subclass 489 visa application can include:
- Increasing the points score further
The pass mark required is 60 points including points awarded for State nomination. However, in cases where demand exceeds supply, the applicant will find they need a higher point score to increase their chances of getting an invitation from the Government, before making the relevant visa application
- Increase the processing time
In many cases, invitations to apply for a 489 visa has been issued quickly, providing the nominated region agrees to sponsor the applicant.
- Work experience for the subclass 887 visa
The regional work experience required to meet one of the criteria for the 887 visa may be in any occupation and can include casual jobs if the combined hours of employment equate to at least 35 hours a week.
- No points test requirement - subclass 887 visa
There is no requirement to pass a points test in order to transition to the 887 visa, the permanent stage of the 489 visa. However, there are legislative criteria which must be met.
- No English language requirement - subclass 887 visa
There is no English language requirement when transitioning to the 887 visa.
- No age limitation - subclass 887
Whilst the 489 visa requires the applicant to be under 45 years of age, at the time of application, there is no age requirement when transitioning to the 887 visa.
The full list of 489 ROL occupations are as follows:
- horse breeder
- public relations manager
- policy and planning manager
- project builder
- procurement manager
- medical administrator
- regional education manager
- sports administrator
- caravan park and camping ground manager
- post office manager
- amusement centre manager
- fitness centre manager
- sports centre manager
- cinema or theatre manager
- financial institution branch manager
- human resource adviser
- workplace relations adviser
- policy analyst
- liaison officer
- market research analyst
- aeroplane pilot
- flying instructor
- helicopter pilot
- ship's master
- multimedia designer
- wine maker
- conservation officer
- exercise physiologist
- vocational education teacher
- environmental health officer
- intellectual property lawyer
- translator
- community arts worker
- agricultural technician
- operating theatre technician
- pathology collector
- construction estimator
- surveying or spatial science technician
- mechanical engineering draftsperson
- safety inspector
- maintenance planner
- building and engineering technicians
- vehicle painter
- floor finisher
- electrical linesworker
- zookeeper
- nurseryperson
- gas or petroleum operator
- dental hygienist
- dental therapist
- emergency service worker
- driving instructor
- funeral workers (nec)
- flight attendant
- first aid trainer
- jockey
- clinical coder
- property manager
- real estate representative
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