New Priority Skills List Supporting Australian Businesses to Fill Critical Skills Needs.

A new priority skills list and strengthened labour market testing were announced on Wednesday, 2 September 2020. These changes will allow small numbers of sponsored skilled workers to return to Australia to fill urgent skills needs in critical sectors, helping to create Australian jobs and rebuild Australia’s economy.

The 17 occupations on the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL) were based on advice from the National Skills Commission and consultation with relevant Commonwealth agencies and will be reviewed regularly.

Acting Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services, and Multicultural Affairs Alan Tudge said, “Visa holders, who have been sponsored by an Australia business in a PMSOL occupation can request an exemption from Australia’s travel restrictions, but will be subject to a strict 14 days quarantine on arrival at their own expense.”

Existing skilled migration occupation lists will remain active and visas will still be processed, but priority will be given to those in occupations on the PMSOL.

The 17 occupations are:

• Chief Executive or Managing Director
• Construction Project Manager
• Mechanical Engineer
• General Practitioner
• Resident Medical Officer
• Psychiatrist
• Medical Practitioner nec
• Midwife
• Registered Nurse (Aged Care)
• Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency)
• Registered Nurse (Medical)
• Registered Nurse (Mental Health)
• Registered Nurse (Perioperative)
• Registered Nurses nec
• Developer Programmer
• Software Engineer
• Maintenance Planner

Information about Australia’s travel exemption processes for those in critical skills and sectors is available on The Department of Home Affairs Website.

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