The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has made some important changes to the Skilled Visa & Temporary Graduate visas as of 1 July 2017. How will the changes affect you? We’ve compiled some handy information to help you understand these changes.
Changes to Skilled & Temporary Visas (Subclasses 189, 190, 489 and 485)
Amendment to the occupation lists
As of 1 July 2017, these are the lists applicable for the following visa classes:
Permanent visas:
Skilled Independent (Subclass 189) Visa
- The Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)
Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190) Visa
- The Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL); and
- The Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL)
Provisional & Temporary Visas
- Skilled Regional (Provisional) (Subclass 489) Visa) – If nominated by a relative
- The Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL);
- Skilled Regional (Provisional) (Subclass 489) Visa) – If nominated by a State
- The Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL); and
- The Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL)
- Temporary Graduate (Subclass 485) Visa (Graduate Work Stream)
- The Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)
* Download the ‘Legislative Instrument’ PDF or Word Document to view the new lists.
What occupations have been added or removed for the 189, 190, 489 and 485 visas?
It appears that the following occupations have been added/removed:
MLTSSL:
Occupations removed:
- Production Manager (Mining) – 133513 (downgraded to the STSOL)
- Ship’s Engineer – 231212
- Ship’s Master – 231213
- Ship’s Officer – 231214
- Anaesthetist – 253211 (downgraded to the STSOL)
- Psychotherapist – 272314
Occupation added:
- ICT security specialist – 262112
STSOL:
Occupations removed:
- Chief Executive or Managing Director – 111111
- Corporate General Manager- 111211
- Faculty Head – 134411
- Chief Information Officer – 135111
- Environmental Manager – 139912
- Fleet Manager – 149411
- Equipment Hire Manager – 149915
- Musician (Instrumental) – 211213
- Statistician – 224113
- Economist – 224311
- Mining Engineer (excluding Petroleum) – 233611
- Engineering Professionals (nec) – 233999
- Chemist – 234211
- Environmental Consultant – 234312
- Environmental Research Scientist – 234313
- Environmental Scientists (nec) – 234399
- Botanist – 234515
- Marine Biologist – 234516
- Zoologist – 234518
- Conservator – 234911
- Meteorologist – 234913
- Physicist – 234913
- University Lecturer (Suitable for the position of Research Associate or Research Fellow in a University) – 242111
- University Tutor – 242112
- Multimedia Specialist – 261211
- Software & Applications Programmers (nec) – 261399
- ICT Security Specialist – 262112
- Minister of Religion – 272211
- Picture Framer – 394212
- Property Manager – 612112
- Real Estate Agency Principal – 612113
- Real Estate Agent – 612114
- Real Estate Representative – 612115
Occupations added:
- Research and development manager – 132511
- Production manager (manufacturing) – 133512
- Production manager (mining) – 133513
- Music director – 211212
- Music professionals (nec) – 211299
- Artistic director – 212111
- Aeroplane pilot – 231111
- Flying instructor – 231113
- Helicopter pilot – 231114
- Wine maker – 234213 (Only applicable to Subclass 489 (Skilled – Regional (Provisional) visa)
- Anaesthetist – 253211
- Nurse researcher – 254212
- Web developer – 261212
- ICT support and test engineers (nec) – 263299
- ICT support technicians (nec) – 313199
- Aircraft maintenance engineer (avionics) – 323111
- Butcher or smallgoods maker – 351211
- Dressmaker or tailor – 393213
- Retail buyer – 639211
It is important to note that the MLTSSL and STSOL are subject to review periodically, and can change without notice.
If you have any concerns or questions about your eligibility for the Skilled visas, contact us for more information.
Any other changes that you should know about? Why yes!
Must be under 45 years of age for 189, 190 and 489 Visas
The Department has announced that they have lowered the maximum age limit from under 50 to under 45 at the time of invitation for the 189, 190 or the 489 visa. This excludes applicants for the New Zealand pathway visa.
The timing of your Expression of Interest is very important. If you are turning 45 years of age soon, consult us for more information.
Changes to Tasmania State Nomination Requirements
The state of Tasmania has amended their requirements for applicants seeking nomination for the Subclass 190 or 489 visas. One noteworthy change is taking effect on 1 January 2018:
2 year study requirement (Sc190 visa only)
Applicants for Tasmania state nomination will need to have completed 2 years of study at a CRICOS – registered Tasmanian tertiary institution. Prior to 1 January 2018, Tasmania only requires 1 year of study in the state for the Sc190 visa class.
Applicants will still only require 1 year of study in the state to apply for a Sc489 nomination.
Do you see an opportunity to migrate to Tasmania? If so, get in touch with us to discuss your options.
Other States
We expect that other states will shortly issue updates regarding their State Sponsorship policies. Stay tuned for further updates…
Roam Migration Law will publish further details shortly.
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