Owen Harris has recently had an article published in the Australasian Paint and Panel magazine on "How to employ tradespeople from overseas".

The article can be viewed on the Australasian Paint and Panel website. Attached is also a copy of the article as printed in the Australasian Paint and Panel magazine.

On 1 July DIAC released updated Skilled Occupation Lists for the General Skilled Migration Program

To view the new lists follow the below links:

Skilled Occupation List (SOL) - Schedule 1
Skilled Occupation List (SOL) - Schedule 2

To apply for an Australian General Skilled Migration visa either:

The Employer Nomination Skilled Occupation List (ENSOL) has been updated. The new list comes into effect 1 July 2011.

Individuals with an occupation which features on the ENSOL can be nominated and sponsored by an Australian employer under the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS). The subclass 856 is for visa applicants applying from within Australia, and the subclass 121 is for indiduals applying from outside of Australia.

Below is the list of occupations which feature on the current ENSOL:

ANZSCO Occupation
411511 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander HealthWorker

Not much has changed!

The Skilled Occupation Lists have been in use for over 160 years. In 1848 Australia was applying criteria to prospective emigrants leaving London for Moreton Bay limiting passage to “agricultural labourers, shepherds, female domestic and farm servants, dairy maids, blacksmiths, wheelwrights, carpenters and other country mechanics.”

They were required to be in good health and of good character (both tests remain to this day). The difference being that now they the ship’s surgeon has been replaced by panel doctors.

Recently we were asked to provide some comments to the the Telegraph newspaper in the UK regarding the 1 July 2011 General Skilled Migration changes and the proposed introduction of the expression of interest scheme in 2012.

Here are the questions and what we said:

1) What are the major ways the new system, to be implemented on July 1, differs from the old?

The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) State Migration Plan for sponsorship under Subclasses 176 and 886 General Skilled Migration (GSM) visa applications has been signed and applications will open Monday 8 November 2010.

The ACT (“eligibility list”): can be viewed on the ACT Cheif Minister's Department website.

Sponsorship places are strictly limited.

Applicants must also meet the ACT Government’s eligibility criteria to be considered for visa sponsorship.

The Victorian State Migration Plan for sponsorship under Subclasses 176, 886, 475 and 487 General Skilled Migration (GSM) visa applications has been signed and applications will open Wednesday 3 November 2010.

Sponsorship places are strictly limited. For the 2010-2011 financial year. Victoria’s cap is 4500 visa grants, which includes primary and secondary applicants.

Applicants must also meet the Victorian Government’s eligibility criteria to be considered for visa sponsorship; and

Were you one of the unfortunate individuals whose occupation was removed from the Skilled Occupation List (SOL)? The immigration minister has released the occupations which will be allowable for the states and territories to sponsor. It remains yet to be seen though, what occupations each of the states and territories will adopt as part of their migration plans. If you have questions about your General Skilled Migration options contact us today.