Before 1 July, a single Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills (MLTSSL) applied to both Employer Sponsored and General Skilled Migration programs, and also a single Short-term Skilled Ocupational List (STSOL).
Starting 1 July 2017, here are the different occupational list for General Skilled Migration:
- IFSOL: Occupations for Skilled Independent Subclass 189 visas and Family Sponsored Skilled Regional Provisional Subclass 489 visas – we refer to this as the IFSOL (Independent and Family Sponsored Occupations List)
- STNOL: Occupations for state and territory nominated 190 and 489 visas – referred to as the STNOL (State/Territory Nominated Occupations List).
IFSOL and STNOL are not terms used in the Legislative Instruments but are useful in understanding which lists apply to particular visa pathways.
Six occupations have been removed from the list for Skilled Independent and Family Sponsored 489 visas as compared to the pre 1 July MLTSSL. Removed occupations include Sea Transport Professionals and Psychotherapists (removed entirely) and the occupations of Production Manager (Mining) and Anaesthetists which are still available for State/Territory Nomination.
Thirteen occupations have been removed from the approved lists entirely – these include Senior Managers, Statisticians, Economists, Mining Engineers, Engineering Professionals NEC and Chemists.
Sixteen occupations have been added to the State/Territory Nominated list which were not previously available – these include Air Transport Professionals, ICT Support Staff, Butchers and Retail Buyers.
Reiterated here are the English language and age requirements
English language requirements
A requirement of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) (or equivalent test) score of 6 in each component.
The English language and skills exemption for applicants whose nominated earnings are over $180,000 is now removed.
|
English test |
Minimum band score |
Minimum scores for English test components |
|||
|
Listening |
Reading |
Speaking |
Writing |
||
|
IELTS test |
Overall band score 6.0 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
|
OET |
– |
B |
B |
B |
B |
|
TOEFL iBT |
Total band score 36 |
12 |
13 |
21 |
18 |
|
PTE |
Overall band score 50 |
50 |
50 |
50 |
50 |
|
CAE |
Overall band score 154 |
169 |
169 |
169 |
169 |
Age
A maximum age requirement of 45 at the time of application will apply to Direct Entry stream applicants. A maximum age requirement of 50 at the time of application will continue to apply to Temporary Residence Transition stream applicants.
For points-tested visas – subclass 190, subclass 189, and subclass 489 visas: – Age: all applicants for these visas will need to be under 45 years of age at the time they are invited to apply.
Information on the changes to the occupation lists is available on the Department’s website at www.border.gov.au/Trav/Work/Work/Skills-assessment-and-assessingauthorities/skilled-occupations-lists.
