The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has announced today that the much-anticipated Skills in Demand (SID) visa will officially commence this Saturday, 7 December 2024. This new visa category marks a significant shift in Australia’s approach to skilled migration, with a focus on addressing critical skill shortages to meet Australia’s workforce shortage demands.
In anticipation of the changes occurring this weekend, the DHA has finally introduced the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), which will replace the Skilled Occupation List (SOL). The CSOL is intended to provide a targeted approach to identifying occupations that are essential for Australia’s economy.
What’s on the CSOL?
The new CSOL focuses on key sectors that are vital to Australia’s economic growth. The new list reflects industry input and current labour market trends.
The CSOL can be reviewed in detail on the Department of Home Affairs website: Core Skills Occupation List.
Below, we have highlighted the new occupations added to the CSOL that were not previously available on the SOL:
- 139917 Regulatory Affairs Manager
- 224114 Data Analyst
- 224115 Data Scientist
- 224714 Supply Chain Analyst
- 225114 Content Creator (Marketing)
- 234116 Aquaculture or Fisheries Scientist
- 261315 Cyber Security Engineer
- 261316 DevOps Engineer
- 261317 Penetration Tester
- 262114 Cyber Governance Risk and Compliance Specialist
- 262115 Cyber Security Advice and Assessment Specialist
- 262116 Cyber Security Analyst
- 262117 Cyber Security Architect
- 262118 Cyber Security Operations Coordinator
- 311113 Animal Husbandry Technician
- 311114 Aquaculture or Fisheries Technician
- 311115 Irrigation Designer
- 311314 Primary Products Quality Assurance Officer
- 312914 Other Draftsperson
- 362712 Irrigation Technician
- 394113 Furniture Maker
- 421114 Out of School Hours Care Worker
- 451111 Beauty Therapist
- 451412 Tour Guide
- 451612 Travel Consultant
Several occupations now have their own occupation codes, whereas they were previously listed as specialisations under other occupations. These include:
- 234115 Agronomist (formerly a specialisation of Agricultural Scientist)
- 234521 Entomologist (formerly a specialisation of Zoologist)
- 234612 Respiratory Scientist (formerly a specialisation of Natural and Physical Science Professionals NEC)
- 311217 Respiratory Technician (formerly a specialisation of Medical Technicians NEC)
- 334117 Fire Protection Plumber (formerly a specialisation of Plumber (General))
- 362512 Tree Worker (formerly would have fallen under Arborist)
These occupation codes align with the new Occupation Standard Classification for Australia (OSCA) that is being released on Friday, 6 December 2024. OSCA will be replacing the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO).
Occupations in the SOL that have not appeared on the CSOL are outlined below:
- 121215 Grape Grower
- 121221 Vegetable Grower
- 133411 Manufacturer
- 133513 Production Manager (Mining)
- 134299 Health and Welfare Services Manager (NEC)
- 139999 Specialist Managers (NEC)
- 141111 Café or Restaurant Manager
- 149212 Customer Service Manager
- 149311 Conference and Event Organiser
- 149413 Transport Company Manager
- 149913 Facilities Manager
- 211299 Music Professionals (NEC)
- 211311 Photographer
- 212212 Book or Script Editor
- 212312 Director (film, television, radio or stage)
- 212314 Film and Video Editor
- 212411 Copywriter
- 212412 Newspaper or Periodical Editor
- 212413 Print Journalist
- 222111 Commodities Trader
- 222199 Financial Brokers (NEC)
- 222211 Financial Market Dealer
- 222213 Stockbroking Dealer
- 222299 Financial Dealers (NEC)
- 222312 Financial Investment Manager
- 223211 ICT Trainer
- 224212 Gallery or Museum Curator
- 224213 Health Information Manager
- 224214 Records Manager
- 224611 Librarian
- 232311 Fashion Designer
- 232312 Industrial Designer
- 232411 Graphic Designer
- 249111 Education Adviser
- 249211 Art Teacher (Private Tuition)
- 249212 Dance Teacher (Private Tuition)
- 249311 Teacher of English to Speakers of Other Languages
- 251112 Nutritionist
- 251911 Health Promotion Officer
- 252211 Acupuncturist
- 252213 Naturopath
- 254311 Nurse Manager
- 263212 ICT Support Engineer
- 272111 Careers Counsellor
- 272113 Family and Marriage Counsellor
- 272199 Counsellors (NEC)
- 272412 Interpreter
- 272613 Welfare Worker
- 311213 Medical Laboratory Technician
- 311413 Life Science Technician
- 361199 Animal Attendants and Trainers
- 362111 Florist
- 362211 Gardener (General)
- 362311 Greenkeeper
- 393213 Dressmaker or Tailor
- 399411 Jeweller
- 399512 Camera Operator (film, television or video)
- 399514 Makeup Artist
- 411712 Disability Services Officer
- 452312 Gymnastics Coach or Instructor
- 452313 Horse Riding Coach or Instructor
- 452314 Snowsport Instructor
- 452315 Swimming Coach or Instructor
- 452499 Sportspersons (NEC)
- 134111 Child Care Centre Manager
- 134214 Welfare Centre Manager
- 211112 Dancer or Choreographer
- 211213 Musician (Instrumental)
- 224311 Economist
- 234113 Forester
- 234313 Environmental Research Scientist
- 234514 Biotechnologist
- 234517 Microbiologist
- 234611 Medical Laboratory Scientist (e.g., IVF Embryologist)
- 252111 Chiropractor
- 252112 Osteopath
- 262112 ICT Security Specialist
- 263311 Telecommunications Engineer
- 313211 Radio Communications Technician
- 341113 Lift Mechanic
- 452316 Tennis Coach
- 452411 Footballer
- 121211 Cotton Grower
- 121213 Fruit or Nut Grower
- 121214 Grain, Oilseed or Pasture Grower
- 121216 Mixed Crop Farmer
- 121217 Sugar Cane Grower
- 121299 Crop Farmers (NEC)
- 121312 Beef Cattle Farmer
- 121314 Deer Farmer
- 121316 Horse Breeder
- 121317 Mixed Livestock Farmer
- 121322 Sheep Farmer
- 121399 Livestock Farmers (NEC)
- 121411 Mixed Crop and Livestock Farmer
- 131114 Public Relations Manager
- 139915 Sports Administrator
- 141211 Caravan Park and Camping Ground Manager
- 149914 Financial Institute Branch Manager
- 224412 Policy Analyst
- 231213 Ship’s Master
- 234311 Conservation Officer
- 234915 Exercise Physiologist
- 251311 Environmental Health Officer
- 272611 Community Arts Worker
- 311111 Agricultural Technician
- 311214 Operating Theatre Technician
- 311216 Pathology Collector
- 312611 Safety Inspector
- 361114 Zookeeper
- 441211 Emergency Service Worker
- 451211 Driving Instructor
- 451399 Funeral Workers (NEC)
- 451815 First Aid Trainer
- 452413 Jockey
- 612112 Property Manager
- 612115 Real Estate Representative
What Does This Mean for Employers and Applicants?
Employers now have access to a greater range of occupations under the program. However, those intending to sponsor candidates for roles that are no longer included must act quickly, as there are only a few days remaining to submit nominations and associated visa applications before the changes take place.
For visa applicants, the program provides a new pathway for skilled individuals with as little as one (1) year of work experience, opening doors previously unavailable under the TSS visa. This is particularly beneficial for graduates on a Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa who have been unable to accumulate the two (2) years of work experience previously required.
Preparing for the SID Visa
With the launch date fast approaching, now is the time to review the updated requirements and assess eligibility. Employers and prospective applicants are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the CSOL and seek professional advice to navigate the process effectively.
Watch this space for further updates and insights on how the SID visa evolves in practice after its implementation.
If you need assistance navigating these changes or require tailored immigration advice, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re here to help with expert guidance every step of the way.