The Department of Home Affairs has announced changes to the eligible occupations for permanent and temporary visas, with effect from 13 March 2019.
Changes to the Short-term Skilled Occupation List, Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List, and the Regional Occupation List have been made following consultation with the Department of Jobs and Small Business based on the labour market advice provided by the Department.
In the latest update, 36 new occupations have been added to the Medium and Long-Term Skill List, including in engineering, science, ICT and the arts. In addition, 18 new occupations have been added to the Regional Occupation List, the occupations include livestock, beef, dairy, sheep, aquaculture and crop farmers, among other agricultural roles.
Importantly, a number of occupations have been removed from the Short Term Skill List onto the Regional Skill List meaning that those occupations are no longer available to employer sponsors located in metropolitan areas.