Australia Adds 22 Occupations to Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List

On 29 July 2021, the Minister for Immigration announced 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.

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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

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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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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

Engineers Australia is the designated authority for assessing skills and competencies related to engineering occupations in Australia. Engineers Australia works with the Department of Home Affairs, 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.

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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). 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 requirement. 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

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

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 Commission 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 advice to stay up to date.

Check 8 Australian PR Visas you need to know about

The following visas are available to individuals who are qualified to work or train in an eligible skilled occupation in Australia and can meet all other requirements:

• Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa (subclass 186)

• Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) visa (subclass 187)

• Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)

• Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)

• Training visa (subclass 407)

• Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa (subclass 482)

• Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485)

• Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489)

• Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491)

• Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (provisional) visa (subclass 494)

Check the full skilled occupation lists

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 Affairs website. Priority processing of nomination and visa applications for PMSOL occupations applies to these employer sponsored visa subclasses:

• Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa (subclass 482)

• Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494)

• Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa (subclass 186)

• Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) visa (subclass 187)

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.

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 calculator.

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 calculator

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

Legislation about immigration changes frequently. It’s important to check the Australian Department of Home Affairs 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 advice for student visas.