Visas & Advice Detail
Skilled visas
David Fuller finds out what jobs make it onto the skilled visa lists in Australia and why
David Fuller talks to a labour department representative in Australia to find out how it is decided what skills are listed as being relevant for immigration purposes.
A representative of Australia's Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations explains to David Fuller (DF) how it is decided that certain skills can help you obtain an Australian visa, but others can't.
DF: What is the idea behind the Migration Occupations in Demand List?
The Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL) targets the General Skilled Migration Programme to occupations which are in shortage. It adds skills to the labour market which are needed by Australian employers, and at the same time enhances migrants' opportunities for relevant employment and, consequently, better settlement.
DF: For how long have these list been in place, and have they been successful in providing Australia with the migrants it needs?
The MODL was introduced in 1999 and has contributed significantly to the skills available in the Australian labour market. However, changes to the 2008/09 Australian skilled migration programme have been announced, including the introduction from 1st January 2009 of a Critical Skills List. This list will better target the programme to the skills needed in the economy. The MODL remains in place but will be reviewed in 2009.
DF: How does your department go about identifying the occupations that need to be included on this list?
The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) provides advice to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship on occupations suitable for the MODL. This advice is based on the Department's ongoing skill shortage research and consideration of a range of labour market indicators which determine whether occupations have sound longer-term employment prospects.
DEEWR skill shortage research is based on contact with employers who have recently advertised vacancies to determine their success recruiting the skills they need. The information is considered in tandem with statistical information about demand and supply trends, such as industry activity indicators, employment change, training data, wastage and vacancy trends. This research is updated on a six-monthly basis to ensure it reflects changing skill needs in the Australian labour market.
The identification of an occupation as being in national shortage through the DEEWR skill shortage research programme is a key requirement for recommendation for inclusion on MODL. However, occupations identified by DEEWR as being in national shortage are then subject to further labour market analysis to ensure there are sustained longer-term employment prospects.
DF: Have any occupations been added/removed from these lists over the past six months? If so, what were the reasons behind the amendments?
The Department's research is ongoing and is continually providing updated information about demand for skills. Accordingly, any changes to the occupations included on MODL reflect current labour market conditions and employer needs.
DF: Do the occupations included on the lists tend to change much over a 12-month period?
Some skill shortages are persistent and these occupations have been on the MODL for many years; other shortages are more short term and responsive to movements in the economy.
DF: Are there any new occupations that you can see being included on these lists any time in the near future?
The labour market is constantly changing and it is not possible to speculate on the future composition of MODL.
To view the Critical Skills List, click here