Changes to Employer Sponsored Occupations Lists Flagged for January 2018

By Mark Webster
Tuesday, 28 November 2017

The Department of Employment has published a draft bulletin for public comment on proposed changes to the skilled occupations lists from January 2018.

A "Traffic Light" system is being used - with some occupations flagged to be removed from the skilled occupations lists, and others to be added.

This article explains which occupations are being considered for addition and removal from the lists, and what the likely impacts will be.

Which Application Types Will be Affected?

It appears that the proposed changes would only affect employer sponsored 457 and ENS (Employer Nomination Scheme) applications.

At this stage, it appears that the lists for General Skilled Migration subclasses will not be affected. The skilled occupations lists for General Skilled Migration are due to be updated in July 2018.

Which Occupations May Be Removed?

The following occupations which are on the Short Term Skilled Occupations List (STSOL) have been flagged for possible removal from the list entirely:

141999 Accommodation and Hospitality Managers nec
142114 Hair or Beauty Salon Manager
223112 Recruitment Consultant
312112 Building Associate

Which Occupations May be Added?

The following occupations are not currently on the skilled list for 457 and ENS visas. Immigration proposes to add these to the STSOL.

242112 University Tutor
272314 Psychotherapist
612112 Property Manager
612114 Real Estate Agent
612115 Real Estate Representative

Impact on ENS Direct Entry Applicants

If you are looking at an ENS Direct Entry application, and your occupation is flagged for removal, you would no longer be eligible if you lodge your application after the changes to the lists in January 2018.

If you have applied before January 2018, your application can still be processed even if your occupation is removed whilst your application is pending.

Impact on 457 Applicants

If your occupation is removed prior to grant of your 457 application, you are likely to be affected. If you lodge after January 2018 or if your 457 application is still pending when the list changes, you may not be eligible for grant of the 457.

Conclusion

If your occupation is on the list for possible removal, you should look at making your application for your employer sponsored visa as soon as possible. However, if you are looking at a 457 visa, it may already be too late to avoid the effect of the changes.

If your occupation is likely to be added, you should keep up to date with the proposed changes as it may give you an opportunity to apply for either a 457 visa or ENS Direct Entry.

If you are applying for General Skilled Migration, then you are unlikely to be affected as there is no current plan to change the occupations lists for this program until July 2017.

You can make a submission to the review by visiting the Department of Education website - the deadline for these is 1 December 2017.