VET News

Filling Australia's Critical Skills Needs

Seventeen occupations have been identified to represent the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL) and are 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 the changes would strike the right balance for Australia’s economic recovery.

“Our priority is getting Australians back into work but we also need key health workers to help fight the virus and skilled migrants who are going to be job multipliers, to help the economy recover,” Mr Tudge said. “These occupations in the health care, construction and IT sectors will supercharge both our health and economic response to COVID-19."

Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business, Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash said the PMSOL would be complemented by strengthened labour market testing requirements.

“In addition to the current requirements of two national advertisements, employers must also advertise their vacancy on the Government’s jobactive website,” Minister Cash said. “JobKeeper is keeping many Australians in work and our $1 billion JobTrainer fund will create 340,700 new training places, but some sectors still need more skilled workers now. The occupations were chosen after careful analysis of recent changes to the internet vacancy index, changes in employment, and longer-term stability in the labour market for individual occupations.”

The 17 occupations (ANZSCO code) are:

The PMSOL will be complemented by strengthened labour market testing requirements and will allow small numbers of sponsored skilled workers to enter or remain in Australia to fill urgent skills needs in critical sectors, helping to create jobs and rebuild Australia’s economy.

Access original media releases via the links below:

• Minister's Media Release
• National Skills Commission Release

Date posted Sep 10, 2020