Maintaining a complete labor force is in every country’s best interest. If there are not enough skilled workers in specific industries within a country, it may look for talented migrants to fill in the gaps and support local economies.
Australia has a massive demand for skilled professionals from overseas, and numerous visa programs allow foreigners to live and work there temporarily. If you are interested in acquiring an Australian visa for work, you must have the needed skill set. This is where a skilled occupation list enters the picture.
What is the Skill Shortage List in Australia?
Skill shortages are areas of work the Australian government deems necessary for the economy and society, but not enough local workers fulfill those roles. As a result, employers can look for workers from other countries to sponsor for visas. The skilled occupation list is the best resource for migrants interested in careers in Australia. Let’s discuss how skilled occupation lists work.
Purpose & Function
The skilled occupations list aims to address workforce gaps in Australia. By listing open positions from employers, this tool is helpful for skilled migrants who want to live and work in this country on a visa. Potential workers can browse these lists and find suitable careers that match their educational backgrounds and professional experiences. Then, a worker can connect with an employer to pursue a sponsorship for visa applications.
Types of Lists in Australia
Depending on your desire for work in Australia, several lists exist to understand. The Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) contains positions that require highly qualified candidates and are often associated with more extended stays. The Short-Term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) focuses on lower-level positions that may not last for multiple years. The Regional Occupation List contains positions based on the regional areas they are in.
How the Lists are Determined in Australia
The makeup of the skilled occupation list is determined by the Australian government and other entities, such as the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations, which determines each occupation’s ANZSCO code. These bodies use factors like skill level, educational requirements, location, and work experience to organize the jobs on these lists.
Skilled Occupation List in Australia
You must find an eligible skilled occupation to live and work in Australia on a visa. The type of job you pursue will depend on your experience, the specific visa subclass you prefer, and your qualifications as a worker. Here are some current skill shortages that the Australian government hopes to address with skilled professionals from other countries.
Healthcare and Social Assistance
The healthcare system in Australia is robust, and there are not enough workers in the local labor market to fulfill all the necessary roles. Some occupations listed include general practitioners, medical specialists, and surgeons. If you are a registered nurse, then there is a great need for your talents in Australia. There are many positions for registered nurses here, especially in critical care and aged care.
Other health professionals are also needed. Mental health experts like psychologists are in high demand, and physiotherapists and occupational therapists can also carve out strong careers.
Engineering
The engineering sector offers many opportunities for skilled occupations. There is a need for civil engineering professionals in construction and infrastructure. If you have experience as a project manager, you can search the lists for openings nationwide. The market also needs electrical and mechanical engineers to work with power systems, telecommunication networks, manufacturing companies, and maintenance entities. Machinery operators are required as well.
Information Technology and Communications
IT and communications are essential to the Australian economy. If you have a software, programming, IT systems, or database background, these current skill shortages present numerous professional opportunities. You can move to Australia to help develop and maintain software, improve IT systems, and manage computer networks if you find an employer to sponsor you on the skilled occupation list.
Trades and Construction
Trades workers are the backbone of the construction industry, and there needs to be more in Australia to meet all employer needs. Electricians are required to install and maintain electrical systems. Plumbers are in high demand to service plumbing systems in residential, commercial, and industrial properties. Structures require construction and repair work, so overseas carpenters and joiners can find plenty of work Down Under.
Education and Training
Education is a massive sector that requires migrant professionals to fill the ranks of academic institutions. Early childhood teachers, secondary school educators, university lecturers, and tutors play significant roles in educating the Australian people. If you have a teaching background for any age, you could help solve a temporary skill shortage in the education industry.
Other Priority Sectors
Other current skill shortages in Australia include chefs, accountants, and automotive electricians. If you specialize in the culinary arts, financing management, or vehicle systems, you can likely find a sponsor for your preferred visa subclass.
Benefits of Working in an Australia Skill Shortage Occupation
Skilled visa applicants who come to Australia for work enjoy numerous advantages. From these lists, here are a few benefits of working in a skilled shortage occupation.
Visa Pathways
Just as there are many occupations to choose from, the pathways to a visa are plentiful. A skilled independent visa subclass 189 is a points-based system that allows permanent workers to stay in Australia. A skilled nominated visa subclass 190 is another permanent residence visa for nominated workers in skilled positions. Skilled work regional visa subclass 491 is used when a state or government territory nominates a worker to stay in a specific region. There is also the employer nomination scheme subclass 186, which lets employers nominate their workers for permanent stays. Finally, the temporary skill shortage visa subclass 482 lets employers fill open positions with temporary migrant workers.
Employment Opportunities
You have a greater chance of securing employment if you have highly sought-after skills. Whether there are not enough opportunities in your home country or you simply want to pursue a career in Australia, it is easier to find jobs by taking advantage of current skills shortages.
Salary Potential
Demand is high for skilled professionals in these occupations, so the potential for more significant income is substantial. Migrant workers could earn higher salaries in Australia for their skills simply by meeting an essential need in the national economy.
Career Progression
Many visa subclass programs offer permanent residency or paths to permanent residency. This means you’ll have time to grow professionally and develop your career. Starting in a skilled occupation, such as an analyst programmer or taxation accountant, will open up greater opportunities.
Navigating the Skill Shortage Lists
Skill shortages signify demand for specific jobs that overseas workers can take advantage of, but you must know how to navigate these lists and find the right opportunities. Here are some tips for finding the right job and visa program.
Checking Your Eligibility
If you want to work in a skilled occupation, you must be qualified for a visa. Applicants should research the various visa subclass programs to determine if they meet the eligibility criteria. SkillSelect is an online tool that can assess your eligibility for a skilled visa. ANZSCO codes are used to classify specific roles, so understanding this system and how it reveals skill requirements will help you narrow your search and determine eligibility.
Skills Assessment
Most skill-shortage occupations and visa programs will require a skills assessment. This is used to determine what roles you qualify for based on your education and experience. Applicants should research their industry’s relevant assessing authorities to take the proper assessments and prepare for their applications.
State and Territory Nomination
You can also search for occupations from a regional standpoint. Perhaps you want to live and work in a specific area of Australia. You can look into state-specific nomination programs or skilled employer-sponsored regional lists.
Additional Considerations
There are other things to consider when searching for occupations in Australia. Before applying for a visa program, research regional skills shortages, list changes, and job search strategies to increase your chances of finding a favorable career.
Regional Australia Skill Shortages
Your professional experience may be in higher demand in certain parts of the country. This is why regional lists are essential tools for potential migrant workers. You can find regions with a poor supply of workers in your field and then pursue a job in that area, which may offer higher pay due to demand.
Changes to the Lists
These lists change all the time when jobs are filled or when the demand for specific skills changes. Since they are revised frequently, you should check them consistently to ensure any changes do not impact your prospects for a career in Australia.
Job Search Strategies
These skilled occupation lists offer essential details about each specific role. Some strategies to help with your search include researching growing businesses, contacting employers directly, understanding what ANZSCO codes mean, consulting immigration officers to learn about visa programs, and researching relevant skill assessment organizations.
If you have the necessary skills to fulfill occupational needs in Australia, finding work can be easier than you think. Many employers are highly motivated to fill their open positions, and they will happily sponsor foreign workers to meet those needs. Skill shortage lists are vital tools that let you browse for openings in Australia that suit your educational background and professional experience. When you find the right job, applying for a visa will let you live and work in this country while playing a crucial role in contributing to society and the economy.