On 1 July 2017, there were a number of changes to temporary and permanent skilled migration programs, including the Temporary Work (Skilled) visa (subclass 457) program.
This included changes to the lists of eligible occupations for these programs.
This change affects both of the following occupation lists:
- the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)
- the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL).
Note: A single alphabetical list of occupations eligible for the subclass 457 and theEmployer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visa programs as of 1 July 2017 is available. See: Combined list of eligible skilled occupations.
Removed Occupations
On 1 July 2017, 12 occupations were removed entirely from the list of eligible skilled occupations.
See: Summary of 1 July 2017 changes to the lists of eligible skilled occupations.
If your occupation has been removed from the list, you will be impacted if:
- you apply for one of the following visa programs on or after 1 July 2017:
- Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) – Direct Entry Stream
- Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)
- Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)
- Training visa (subclass 407) – Nomination eligibility type 2 – Occupational training to enhance skills in an eligible occupation.
- Temporary Work (Skilled) visa (subclass 457)
- Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485)
- Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489)
- your subclass 457 visa or nomination application is still being processed by the Department on 1 July 2017. In such cases, your application cannot be approved. Once your application has reached the assessment stage, you will be contacted by the Department and given the opportunity to withdraw your application in writing. Alternatively, you can request a withdrawal in writing at any time and request a refund of the application fee. If you do not withdraw your application, it will be refused.
This means that any applications already lodged before 1 July 2017 for the above visa subclasses (other than a 457 visa) will not be impacted (even if the occupation was removed on 1 July 2017).
If you already hold a subclass 457 visa, you will not be impacted by these removed occupations unless you apply for a further subclass 457 visa or are changing your occupation or employer.
Source: www.border.gov.au
MIGRANT NINJA TIP – Changes to the migration programme reflect the current demand for professionals in a certain sector. That does not imply that the jobs are in plenty when you arrive in Australia. As most of the migrants who arriving Australia realise only too quickly that getting a visa and getting a job are two completely different things and getting employed may be the biggest challenge every migrant may face.
