Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs Minister Alex Hawke MP has announced the inclusion of a range of skilled occupations on the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL).

The PMSOL, first announced in September 2020, is developed in conjunction with the National Skills Commission to ensure a small number of critical occupations are filled to continue to create Australian jobs and aid in Australia’s ongoing recovery from the impact of COVID-19.

The addition of 22 occupations brings the PMSOL to 41 in total.

Minister Hawke said the Government engaged with small, medium and large Australian employers, business leaders, and industry bodies across the economy to determine these changes.

“Government has received valuable feedback from Australian business stakeholders on critical skill vacancies, which has been considered together with data from the National Skills Commission, in order to develop today’s update to the Priority Migration Skilled Migration List,” Minister Hawke said.

READ MORE: How migration can help support Australia’s post-pandemic recovery

“The Morrison Government will continue to support Australian businesses, including through skilled migration, as the engine room of our nation’s economy.”

The full list of 41 occupations (ANZSCO code), including the 22 new occupations added to the list this week (highlighted in bold) are: Chief Executive or Managing Director (111111); Construction Project Manager (133111); Accountant (General) (221111); Management Accountant (221112); Taxation Accountant (221113); External Auditor (221213); Internal Auditor (221214); Surveyor (232212); Cartographer (232213); Other Spatial Scientist (232214); Civil Engineer (233211); Geotechnical Engineer (233212); Structural Engineer (233214); Transport Engineer (233215); Electrical Engineer (233311); Mechanical Engineer (233512); Mining Engineer (excluding Petroleum) (233611); Petroleum Engineer (233612); Medical Laboratory Scientist (234611); Veterinarian (234711), added in May; Orthotist or Prosthetist (251912); General Practitioner (253111); Resident Medical Officer (253112); Psychiatrist (253411); Medical Practitioners (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 (254499); Multimedia Specialist (261211); Analyst Programmer (261311); Developer Programmer (261312); Software Engineer (261313); Software and Applications Programmers (261399); ICT Security Specialist (262112); Social Worker (272511); Maintenance Planner (312911); Chef (351311)

In May, the Government also removed existing work hour caps for Student Visa holders employed in the tourism and hospitality sector. A 40-hour fortnightly limit previously applied during study periods.

In addition, temporary visa holders were given access to the 408 COVID-19 Pandemic Event Visa for a period of 12 months if they work in the tourism and hospitality sector. This decision adds tourism and hospitality to the critical sectors of agriculture, food processing, health care, aged care, disability care and child care for eligibility for this visa subclass.

READ MORE: More visa flexibility in Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic period

Temporary visa holders working in, or intending to work in, tourism and hospitality are now able to apply for the 408 COVID-19 Visa up to 90 days before their existing visa expires and then remain in Australia for up to 12 additional months.

Visa holders, who have been sponsored by an Australia business in a PMSOL occupation will be subject to quarantine arrangements at their own expense.

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