Moving To Australia: Australian Skills Occupational List 2017 - 2018

Posted: 11/08/2017 Author: Santa Fe Relocation

Australia is one of the most desirable countries for people to relocate to for employment purposes; there are currently 1.2 million expats from the UK living in Australia. It is not hard to understand why the country is so popular- it is home beautiful beaches, long summers and high quality housing and schools. However, relocating is not as straightforward as finding a job and packing your bags, the Australian government has established strict entry criteria which potential migrants must meet when they are applying for their visa.

The Australian Skills Occupational List (also known as SOL) is a list of occupations which are considered as skilled work. This list is used as part of the Australian points system for applications for a general Australian work visa. The points system is in place to control the number and variety of skilled migrants entering the country. The points system awards points in a variety of categories, including qualifications, experience, ability to speak English and occupation. In order to successfully complete your application, your occupation must be on the approved Skills Occupational List.

If you're looking to relocate to Australia, you will need to consult the Skills Occupational List before beginning your visa application. It is relatively straightforward; all of the qualifying occupations are listed alphabetically. The list also includes essential information such as the assessing authority for the occupation and the number of skill points each occupation is awarded in the skill section of the points system application. This can assist with giving you an indication of your points prior to beginning your application.

Recently, major changes to the Skills Occupational List have been made. Over 200 occupations which previously qualified have been removed from the list across a broad range of sectors, including wholesaler, actor and dental hygienist. This news may unsettle some and give the impression that it has become increasingly difficult to gain permission to live and work in Australia, however, over 400 occupations remain on the list. Additionally, several careers have been added to the Skills Occupational List for 2017/2018, including audiologists, orthotists and prosthetists. You can view the full list online prior to beginning your application but example careers on the SOL include:

• Construction project manager
• Secondary school teacher
• Carpenter
• Software engineer

The change to the Skills Occupational List has followed recent news that the current 457 skilled migrant visa will be replaced by a new work visa system. This system will give migrants wishing to relocate the option to apply for a two-year short term visa or a four-year long term work visa.

As well as the appeal of the relaxed lifestyle, there are countless opportunities available in Australia. It's an ideal destination for families, with access to some of the best universities in the world and high quality schools. Sante Fe makes relocation straightforward and hassle-free. If you'd like to find out more about moving to Australia, please get in touch with us today through our contact page.