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July 2021: Supporting Australia’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout through skilled migration

On 29 July 2021, the Minister for Immigration announcedexternal icon the inclusion of pharmacists on the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL).

The new occupations are (including ANZSCO codes):

  • Hospital Pharmacist

  • Retail Pharmacist

  • Industrial Pharmacist

“With thousands of community pharmacies across Australia being invited to join the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, it’s all hands to the pump as the COVID-19 vaccine rollout continues,” Minister Hawke said. “The Morrison Government will support pharmacies across Australia, including through skilled migration, as supply of COVID-19 vaccine doses increases over the coming weeks,” he said.

Book IELTS for Migration

Australia’s Migration Program for 2021-2022

Overall, Australia sets a maximum number of places for its migration program every year. And, for 2020 and 2021, the total places available is capped at a ceiling of 160,000. Some of these visas require your profession to be on the Skilled Occupation List. Now, here are some of the key highlights:

  • 79,600 places allocated in the Skill stream

  • 77,300 places have been allocated to the Family stream

  • Only 6,500 places allocated to Skilled Independent visas

Access the Guide for Migration to Australia

Priority processing PMSOL occupations

Fast-track your visa application

As part of this process, employer-sponsored visa applications with an occupation on the PMSOL will be given priority during processing. While all other skilled occupation lists will remain active, applicants with occupations on the PMSOL list will have their visas fast-tracked.

IELTS and Migration

IELTS is the only English language test that offers a General Training option. IELTS General Training is accepted and trusted by the Australian Government for visa applications. Book your IELTS General Training test now to make sure you have the score you need for your visa.

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Full list of the 22 new occupations added to the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List in June 2021

Below is a full list of the 22 occupations that were added to the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List in June 2021. It also includes the 3 pharmacy occupations added in July 2021.

  • Accountant (General)

  • Management Accountant

  • Taxation Accountant

  • External Auditor

  • Internal Auditor

  • Surveyor

  • Cartographer

  • Other Spatial Scientist

  • Civil Engineer

  • Geotechnical Engineer

  • Structural Engineer

  • Transport Engineer

  • Electrical Engineer

  • Mining Engineer (excluding Petroleum)

  • Petroleum Engineer

  • Medical Laboratory Scientist

  • Orthotist or Prosthetist

  • Multimedia Specialist

  • Analyst Programmer

  • Software and Applications Programmers

  • ICT Security Specialist

  • Chef

  • Hospital Pharmacist

  • Retail Pharmacist

  • Industrial Pharmacist

Work as Engineer in Australia?

Engineers Australiaexternal icon is the designated authority for assessing skills and competencies related to engineering occupations in Australia. Engineers Australia works with the Department of Home Affairsexternal icon, migration agents and international organisations. And it helps to develop streamlined migration skills assessment procedures for engineers, like you!

Every year, Engineers Australia helps thousands of engineers in and outside of Australia achieve their goals. So, whether you are a foreign student that needs assessment for a new visa, or a skilled engineer seeking a new life in our beautiful country, contact Engineers Australia for help.

When you register as Engineer in Australia, you may need to prove your English language proficiency. IELTS is officially accepted by Engineers Australia.

Book IELTS for Engineers

Work as a Nurse in Australia?

Nursing is one of the most favourable occupations for migration to Australia. It is a pathway to Permanent Residency. To work as a nurse in Australia, you must be registered through AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency)external icon. But for registration you need to have a recognised Australian or overseas qualification. You also need to meet the English requirement for nurses.

You will also need to show AHPRA that you meet the English language requirement.

Usually, you need to complete an English language test. AHPRA accepts the IELTS and some other tests. Also, when you do IELTS for nursing, it is possible to use 2 different test sittings to meet the English requirementexternal icon. But, these need to be done within 6 months of each other. AHPRA accepts test results of up to 2 years.

IELTS for Nursing in Australia

What is Australia’s points system for immigration?

When you’re thinking of migrating to Australia as a Permanent Resident (PR), you may come across points-based visas. We’ll explain what this is and how the Australian PR points calculator works.

Check Australia’s points system for immigration

What is the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List?

The Australian Government sets the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL). This list identifies ​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 Commissionexternal icon and consultation with Commonwealth departments.

Employer sponsored nomination and visa applications with an occupation on the PMSOL will be given priority processing. All other skilled occupation lists will remain active, but the PMSOL occupations will take priority.

The list is temporary and priority occupations may change as Australia recovers from the pandemic. The Government continues to monitor the impact of COVID-19 on the Australian labour market and assess Australia’s skills needs as they evolve and new sources of data emerge. Always make sure to check official Government adviceexternal icon to stay up to date.

Check 8 Australian PR Visas you need to know about

What visas are available for the Skilled Occupation List?

Access the full Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL)

What occupations are now on the PMSOL list? Since July 2021, the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL) includes 44 ​occupations that fill critical skills needs to support Australia’s economic recovery from COVID-19. Please be aware that these lists are subject to change without notice. So, it’s good to keep checking the Department of Home Affairsexternal icon website. Priority processing of nomination and visa applications for PMSOL occupations applies to these employer sponsored visa subclasses:

If you’re after a regional sponsored visa, Western Australia recently expanded the occupation list for skilled migration program 2021. Similarly, Victoria’s Skilled Migration program 2021-2022 opened for registrations of interest in 7 July 2021. Earlier this year, NSW added 10 new occupations to the skilled occupation list for PR visas.

ANZSCO Code

ANZSCO CodeOccupation
111111Chief Executive or Managing Director
133111Construction Project Manager
221111Accountant (General)
221112 Management Accountant
221113Taxation Accountant
221213External Auditor
221214 Internal Auditor
232212 Surveyor
232213Cartographer
232214 Other Spatial Scientist
233211Civil Engineer
233212Geotechnical Engineer
233214 Structural Engineer
233215Transport Engineer
233311Electrical Engineer
233512Mechanical Engineer
233611Mining Engineer (excluding Petroleum)
233612Petroleum Engineer
234611Medical Laboratory Scientist
234711Veterinarian
251511Hospital Pharmacist
251513Retail Pharmacist
251512 Industrial Pharmacist
251912Orthotist or Prosthetist
253111General Practitioner
253112Resident Medical Officer
253411Psychiatrist
253999Medical Practitioners nec
254111Midwife
254412Registered Nurse (Aged Care)
254415 Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency)
254418Registered Nurse (Medical)
254422Registered Nurse (Mental Health)
254423Registered Nurse (Perioperative)
254499Registered Nurses nec
261211Multimedia Specialist
261311Analyst Programmer
261312Developer Programmer
261313Software Engineer
261399Software and Applications Programmers nec
262112 ICT Security Specialist
272511Social Worker
312911Maintenance Planner
351311 Chef

How does the points test work for Australian skilled migration?

When you lodge an application for an independent skills migration visa, you need to meet a minimum pass mark. Each visa will have its own pass minimum points score. For example, you need a minimum of 65 points to be able to submit an expression of interest for the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) visa. The Department of Home Affairs has an online Australian PR points calculatorexternal icon.

Points can be claimed for a few different personal factors:

  • age

  • English proficiency

  • employment experience

  • educational qualifications

  • community language qualifications

  • the skills of your partner

  • you can also get extra points if you’re invited to apply for a visa by a state or territory government agency.

Access the points calculatorexternal icon

Use IELTS for Migration

Your visa options

If you like the opportunity to live, study or work in Australia, there are many visa options available to you. There is a study visa, skilled, sponsored work visa and business visa. Some of these may lead to Permanent Residency (PR) in Australia.

IELTS Migration Guide for work & study

Your IELTS options

The IELTS Academic test has been developed if you wish to study at university or college as an undergraduate or postgraduate student or join or gain entry into a professional institution. The IELTS General Training test has been developed to test your every-day, non-academic English.

Which IELTS test do you need?

Book IELTS for your visa

Immigration and the law

Legislation about immigration changes frequently. It’s important to check the Australian Department of Home Affairsexternal icon website for changes that may apply to you. If you are interested in Australian student visas, work visas, or looking to migrate permanently, you need to lodge an application with the Australian Government. You may want to consider getting support from a lawyer or migration agent. However, you can also get free adviceexternal icon for student visas.