Travel exemptions extended to sponsored employees on new PMSOL, and strengthening of Labour Market Testing requirements.

In a joint media release, Acting Minister for Immigration Alan Tudge and Minister for Employment Michaela Cash announced a new priority skills list and additional Labour Market Testing requirements that will allow small numbers of sponsored skilled workers to travel to Australia to fill urgent skills needs in critical sectors, act as job multipliers and rebuild Australia's economy. These visa holders will be granted travel exemptions to enter Australia, however they will be subject to a strict 14 days quarantine on arrival at their own expense.

Health care, construction and IT sectors given priority to boost Australia's economic recovery in response to COVID-19.

17 occupations have been identified in what is deemed the "Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List" (PMSOL), following advice from the National Skills Commission and consultation with relevant Commonwealth agencies. The PMSOL will be reviewed regularly in view of balancing health concerns and Australia's economic recovery.

Existing skilled migration occupation lists will remain active and visas will still be processed, however priority will be given to nominated occupations on the PMSOL.

The 17 occupations (ANZSCO code) are:

  • Chief Executive or Managing Director (111111)
  • Construction Project Manager (133111)
  • Mechanical Engineer (233512)
  • General Practitioner (253111)
  • Resident Medical Officer (253112)
  • Psychiatrist (253411)
  • Medical Practitioner nec (253999)
  • Midwife (254111)
  • Registered Nurse (Aged Care) (254412)
  • Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency) (254415)
  • Registered Nurse (Medical) (254418)
  • Registered Nurse (Mental Health) (254422)
  • Registered Nurse (Perioperative) (254423)
  • Registered Nurses nec (254499)
  • Developer Programmer (261312)
  • Software Engineer (261313)
  • Maintenance Planner (312911)

Additional Labour Market Testing Requirements – JobActive

Changes to Labour Market Testing (LMT) requirements introduced today, now require all nomination applications for a Subclass 457 Temporary Work, Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage or Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visas, lodged after 30 September 2020 to advertise on the Australian Government's employment service Jobactive website for at least 28 days. This requirement is in addition to the existing Labour Market Testing requirement of 2 advertisements, taking the total required to at least 3.

Positions which were previously exempted from the LMT requirements (for example by International Trade Obligations such as Free Trade Agreements) are not affected. Likewise, 'select' positions that are authorised to provide alternative evidence will not be affected.

If your business is looking to sponsor an overseas worker and is not sure how to meet the Labour Market Testing requirements contact Hammond Taylor for a free confidential consultation.

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