Big News in Australian Immigration!
The Australian Government has unveiled the new Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) on 3 December 2024.
This list is a game-changer, replacing outdated and complex occupation lists for temporary skilled visas. Here’s what you need to know!
What is the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL)?
The CSOL is a single consolidated list that covers 456 occupations. It has been developed using labour market analysis and extensive consultations by Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA). It will cover industries such as construction, cyber security, agriculture, or health.
What does it mean for visas?
This new list applies to the Core Skills stream of the new Skills in Demand visa, launching 7 December 2024. It is also relevant for the Direct Entry stream of the permanent Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visa.
This update marks a significant step toward modernising Australia’s temporary skilled migration program, making it more streamlined and responsive to labour market needs.
The Skills in Demand (subclass 482)
The Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa is a significant advancement, replacing the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa. On a SID visa, you have a pathway to permanent residence, and work experience with an approved employer does count toward PR.
This visa provides most holders with the opportunity to live and work in Australia for up to four years, making it an attractive option for skilled migrants and employers seeking to expand their workforce. With a clear pathway to permanent residency, the Skills in Demand visa offers not only stability for migrants but also a valuable advantage for employers aiming to cultivate talent and drive their business growth. This program is essential for fostering a skilled workforce that contributes to the Australian economy.
Additionally, the English language requirement for the SID visa is the same as that for the TSS medium-term stream.
The SID visa has 3 streams:
Core Skills stream
The purpose of the Core Skills Stream is to target workforce needs and is anticipated to be relevant to most SID visa holders.
This stream is for applicants who meet the general eligibility requirements and:
- Have an occupation on the Consolidated Skilled Occupation List (CSOL) identified as in shortage, including those covered by international trade agreements.
- Will earn a salary at or above the Core Skills Income Threshold of AUD 73,150.
Specialist Skills stream
The purpose of this stream is to help drive innovation and job creation.
The program acknowledges that highly skilled migrants enhance national productivity. It is intended for applicants who satisfy the general eligibility criteria and are:
- in any occupation on the ANZSCO 2022 except ANZSCO Major Group levels 3, 7 and 8:
- trades workers
- machinery operators
- drivers and labourers
- earning at least the Specialist Skills Income Threshold of AUD135,000 and no less than Australian workers in the same occupation.
Applicants for the Special Independent (SID) visa under the Specialist Skills stream benefit from a one-year reduction in the work experience requirement compared to the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa. Specifically, SID applicants need to have one year of work experience in their nominated occupation or a related field.
Labour Agreement stream
This stream will be replaced by an Essential Skills stream that is still under development.
What happens with the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) ?
Please note, applications for the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa closed on December 6, 2024, but DHA is processing all outstanding applications submitted before this date.
Arrangements for existing TSS visa holders
TSS visa holders retain their pathway to permanent residence, subject of course to meeting eligibility criteria.
Stay tuned for more updates, including details about the new National Innovation visa!
Need help navigating these changes?
