Australia’s Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) has published a new CriticalSkills List, meaning greater priority is likely to be given to people applying from the following occupations: bricklayers, cabinet-makers, carpenters and joiners, electricians, gas-fitters, metal fabricators/boilermakers, metal fitters, metal machinists, plumbers, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics, solid plasterers, tool-makers, wall and floor tilers, welders and motor mechanics, surveyors, and urban and regional planners, a large number of engineering qualifications, anaesthetists, dentists, emergency medicine specialists, occupational therapists, pharmacists, physiotherapists, podiatrists, registered nurses, registered midwives, pathologists and radiologists.
The Critical Skills List also has new stipulations for accountants, computing professionals and other professions.
If you want to stay longer in Australia or migrate permanently and have the necessary qualifications and/or experience, a wide range of visa options could be open to you. However, act soon, as the requirements can change quickly.
Given the economic climate, skilled migration will be continually under review and the government’s “Big Skills Conference” in March will look at the country’s future skills needs.
The Critical Skills List can be seen at www.immi.gov.au.
The DIAC has also recently released a fact sheet entitled “Changes to the Skilled Migration Program“ which can be seen atwww.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/pdf/migration-program.pdf
