New Skilled Occupation List (SOL) released for 2016 / 17

The Department of Immigration & Border Protection (DIBP) has announced the New Skilled Occupation List (SOL) for subclass 485, 189 and 489 (family sponsored) visa applications. 

They have also released the Consolidated Sponsored Occupation List (CSOL) which is used for subclass 457, 186 and 190 applications.

The following occupations have been removed from the SOL - Petroleum and Mining Engineer, Metallurgist, Mining Engineer, Dental Hygienist, Dental Prosthetist, Dental Technician, Dental Therapist, Environmental Health Officer, Occupation Health and Safety Advisor. 

The occupations of Orthotist or Prosthetist and Audiologist have been added to the SOL.

There have not been any exclusions from the combined lists that make up the COSL and so no changes to the subclass 457 and 186 eligibilities.

The skilled list that will be used from RSMS / 187 (direct entry) applications from 1 July 2016 has not yet been released.

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Skills assessment validity period - 3 years from the date of issue

Following amendments to the Migration Regulations 1994, from 1 July 2014, if a skills assessment is mandatory as part of a visa application, it will only be valid for a period of 3 years from the date of issue, unless a shorter validity period is specified on the assessment.

A skills assessment must be valid at the time of lodgement for the following visas:

• Direct Entry stream of the Employer Nominated Scheme (subclass 186) visa;
• Direct Entry stream of the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (subclass 187) visa; and
• Graduate Work stream of the Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa.

A skills assessment must be valid at the time of invitation to apply through SkillSelect for the following visas:

• Skilled—Independent (subclass 189) visa;
• Skilled—Nominated (subclass 190) visa; and
• Skilled Regional (Provisional) (subclass 489) visa.

These changes do not affect the Temporary Work (Skilled)(subclass 457) visa.

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