Fast-track visa processing for critical workers to work in Australia

The Australian Government will fast-track the processing of visas for migrant workers eligible to work in Australia if they possess the skills listed in the expanded list of priority jobs.

Alex Hawke, Australia’s Immigration Minister, has announced 22 categories of jobs that will be added to the PMSOL. This list is designed to attract workers with critical skills to work in Australia.

The occupations considered critical and are hence a part of PMSOL include civil engineers, chefs, and software programmers. They are among those who will have their visas processed on priority.

Mr. Hawke shared the observation that Australia considers the eligible workers who will work in Australia in the PMSOL occupations as job multipliers. Their role in the recovery of Australia’s economy will be crucial.

The PMSOL currently has 41 occupations listed. It was first made in September 2020 coordinating with the National Skills Commission.

The expansion of PMSOL was done after the government got feedback from business stakeholders in Australia as well as industry bodies that had skill vacancies of a critical level, requiring a filling.

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The latest move by the Australian government was welcomed by AMMA and 2 of the nation’s peak hospitality bodies. They were of the opinion that it will help in addressing serious shortages of skilled workers.

Tourism Accommodation Australia and the Australian Hotels Association urged the government to include chefs on the list of critical skills.

Visa holders must meet their own quarantine expenses

Australia’s borders are still closed to international arrivals. It’s in this situation that the current revision has been implemented.

Estimates suggest that net Australian migration will take a minimum of 2 years for it to go back to pre-pandemic levels.

Sponsored visa holders in an occupation listed in PMSOL will have to meet the expenses for quarantine arrangements themselves.

Changes to working holiday visa

The government of Australia will try to address shortages in the workforce in northern and remote areas of the country. This shortage of people to work in Australia will be solved via changes to the WHM program.

These foreign workers working in the tourism and hospitality sector in those remote areas could now bring such work to be considered while applying for the extension of their stay in Australia.

This option will be provided to WHMs filing applications for extension from March 2022.

As of now, working holiday visa holders must complete 88 days of specified work to get eligibility for an extension.

Occupations currently on the PMSOL list

• 221111 - Accountant (General)
• 221213 - External Auditor
• 233211 - Civil Engineer
• 233215 - Transport Engineer
• 232212 - Surveyor
• 234611 - Medical Laboratory Scientist
• 261311 - Analyst Programmer
• 351311 - Chef
• 221113 - Accountant Taxation
• 221214 - Internal Auditor
• 233214 - Structural Engineer
• 233611 - Mining Engineer
• 232213 - Cartographer
• 251912 - Orthotist / Prosthetist
• 261399 - Software & Applications Programmers
• 221112 - Accountant Management
• 233311 - Electrical Engineer
• 233212 - Geotechnical Engineer
• 233612 - Petroleum Engineer
• 232214 - Other Spatial Scientist
• 261211 - Multimedia Specialist
• 262112 - ICT Security Specialist

If you are looking to Study, Work, Visit, Invest or Migrate to Australia, talk to Y-Axis, the World’s No.1 Immigration & Visa Company.

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Note:

PMSOL - Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List

AMMA - Australian Resources and Energy Group

WHM - Working Holiday Maker