Joint media statement

Joint media statement with Andrew Robb & Michaelia Cash details no occupations will be removed from the SOL List

This year one has heard a lot of rumours regarding occupations that are going to be removed from the all important Skilled Occupation List which determines the skills in demand to allow skilled migrants to apply for Australian Residency under the independent or state/ family sponsored points tested visa or temporary graduate (subclass 485) work stream.

Before prospective migrants can apply for independent skilled migration, they must submit an expression of interest via SkillSelect.

This week a joint media statement issued by Andrew Robb – Minister for Trade and Investment and Michaelia Cash – Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection states categorically that no occupations currently on the Skilled Occupation List will be removed. The SOL currently lists 188 occupations that Australia needs.

Chefs, bricklayers and wall and floor tilers will be added to the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) from July 1 to help meet the skills needs of the Australian economy.

Minister Robb said in the press release this week; ‘Bricklayers and tilers have been added to the list because of an increase in demand predicted for these occupations as well as a decrease in apprenticeship completions.’

Minister Cash said the addition of chefs to the SOL reflects that the occupation is in short supply, coupled with strong growth projected in the café and restaurant sector.

‘Including chefs on the SOL will provide greater flexibility for businesses to recruit skilled chefs from overseas when they cannot source these skills locally,’ Minister Cash said.

‘The addition of these occupations will be especially welcomed in regional areas, where there is a known deficit of skilled workers in the hospitality and construction industries.’

This would come as welcome news to our readers, many of whom have called our offices in the past months worried about imminent changes to the SOL list.