Skilled Occupation List

The Skilled Occupation List (SOL) is a list of skilled occupations that are in need in Australia. The SOL comprises of 4 major groups: managers and administrators; professionals; associate professionals and tradespersons and related workers.

Changes to the Skilled Occupation List

Skilled Occupation List (SOL) – Schedule 1

A new Skilled Occupations List (SOL) has been developed based on advice from the independent body, Skills Australia (established by the Australian Government to provide expert and independent advice on matters relating to Australia's current, emerging and future workforce skills and workforce development needs).

Whereas previous versions of the Skilled Occupations List (SOL) had more than 400 occupations; the new SOL, includes approximately 181 occupations.

Some of the occupations which are no longer on the SOL include: Cook, Chef, Hairdresser, Pharmacist, Graphic Designer.

Some of the retained occupations include: Accountant, Architect, Engineers, medical professionals, Motor Mechanic, and many building trades.

The new list is available here - http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/_pdf/sol-schedule1.pdf

It is intended the new list of occupations would deliver a General Skilled Migration (GSM) program more tightly focused on delivering high-value nation building skills. The new list is focused on targeting specialised occupations that require a long lead time of formal education and training.

The list of occupations will be reviewed annually but it is expected that it will be relatively stable over time.

The new SOL commenced on 1 July 2012.

It is anticipated the new list would apply to all new GSM applications lodged on or after implementation of the new SOL, with the exception of applicants who fall within the proposed transitional arrangements outlined below.

Proposed Transitional Arrangements

It is intended the new list would not apply to GSM applicants who at 8 February 2010:

• held a subclass 485 (skilled graduate) visa or had a pending subclass 485 visa application and who apply for a permanent or provisional onshore GSM visa by 31 December 2012; or
• at the date of the announcement had a pending GSM visa application.

It is also intended that transitional arrangements would apply to international students who on 8 February 2010 held a subclass 572 (vocational education and training sector), subclass 573 (higher education sector) or subclass 574 (postgraduate research sector) student visa.

It is intended these students could apply for a subclass 485 (skilled graduate) visa using the current SOL as long as they lodge their subclass 485 application by 31 December 2012.

The new SOL is based on the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) and identifies occupations that reflect the high value, nation building skills Australia needs - skills that take time and diligence to acquire, that are put to the use intended, and where the cost to the economy and local communities of the skill being in short supply is great.

Consolidated Sponsored Occupation Lists (CSOL)

http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/_pdf/sol-schedule1-2.pdf

The range of skilled occupations in which State governments or employers can sponsor overseas workers has not changed. These occupations are on the Consolidated Sponsored Occupation List (CSOL).

The current CSOL (schedule 1 and 2) is relevant for

• Points based skilled migration applicants who are nominated by a State or Territory government agency under a State Migration Plan
• applicants applying under the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS), who must have been nominated by an Australian employer to fill a position in an occupation that appears in the CSOL
• Temporary Business Long Stay – 457 Subclass
• Occupational Trainee – 442 Subclass.

State and territory governments will be able to nominate applicants if their nominated occupation is on the new CSOL and within their respective State Migration Plan. There are also certain off - list nominations available and the criteria vary from state to state.

General Skilled Migration Skilled Occupation Lists (SOL)

Applicants must have a nominated occupation which is on the SOL applicable to their circumstances at the time they apply:

• the SOL in existence prior to 1 July 2010 in ASCO code (schedule 1) – applies only to General Skilled Migration (GSM) applicants who lodged their application prior to 1 July 2010.
  See: Skilled Occupation List (SOL) – Schedule 1 http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/_pdf/sol-schedule1.pdf

• the SOL in existence prior to 1 July 2010 in ANZSCO code (schedule 2) – applies to GSM applicants who are eligible for transitional arrangements and who lodge their application before 1 January 2013.
  See: Skilled Occupation List (SOL) – Schedule 2 http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/_pdf/sol-schedule2.pdf

• the SOL (schedule 3) – applied to GSM applications, including applicants eligible for transitional arrangements if they prefer to used it from 1 July 2011.
  See: Skilled Occupation List (SOL) – Schedule 3 http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/_pdf/sol-schedule3.pdf

• the State and Territory SOL (schedule 4 ) – relevant only for GSM applicants who are nominated by a State or Territory government agency under a State Migration Plan from 1 July 2011.
  See: Skilled Occupation List (SOL) – Schedule 4 http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/_pdf/sol-schedule4.pdf

Success Stories

Over the years we have helped many people from all over the world realise their dream of a new life in Australia.

Please see the Testimonial Section of the website and see for yourself.

Due to industry regulations, in order to be able to provide you with migration advice and assistance you must first become a client. If you are serious about General Skilled Migration it is worthwhile having a professional assessment by a Registered Migration Agent.

Please complete the Online Assessment and Online Consultation and make payment for the Level 1 Service so that we can analyse your profile, determine your eligibility and advise you further on how to secure an Australian Skilled Visa. Payment can be made by credit card on our secure website. For alternate payment options please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .