Changes to Australian Immigration 2017

April 2017 saw some of the most sweeping changes to Australian Immigration in the past few years. Sadly, Immigration continues to be a political ‘hot potato’ in many developed countries, even ones like Australia that is very much open for immigration.

Why Australia Needs Immigrants
Despite the numerous protestations of the right and far right in Australia they remain a country with a population of around 25 million people. To put that into perspective 9 million people live in New York, a further 9 million in London and 7 million in Hong Kong. So Australia then has the same population as London, New York and Hong Kong in an area far larger than Europe.

Australia has one of the Worlds strongest economies, top healthcare and education systems and many of its cities feature year after year in the top 10 places to live on the planet.

In order to maintain these positions Australia needs to grow their population and with a mere 25 million currently this can only be achieved through operating a solid Immigration program.

However, as you would expect Australia only wants the right type of immigration. People who can make a real contribution to the Australian economy from day one and their Immigration program was designed to achieve this although certain elements of the migration policy were felt to be undermined, namely the 457 employer sponsored visa subclass.

Prior to the changes to Australian Immigration in 2017 companies were able to sponsor employees in a wide range of occupations to live and work in Australia and people lucky enough to be ‘sponsored’ could apply for Permanent Residency after a period of time.

The reality of this meant that whilst many thousands of genuine workers and their families were able to emigrate to Australia lots of lower skilled workers (such as those in the food and restaurant industries) were arriving to work in restaurants and establishments owned by friends or related parties.

Not all of course and the above is only one example of the 457 visa exploitation methods though many citizens and policians were growing resentful of a perceived dilution of Australian values and it didn’t take long for a proposal for sweeoping chages to gather momentum.

In April 2017 then many changes were brought into immediate effect which unfortunately impacted the hopes and dreams of many thousands of people hoping to emigrate to Australia.

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Changes to the 457 Visa System in April 2017

The 457 visa program will officially end in March 2018. Its unlikely that many companies will sponsor any new 457 visa applicants during this transition phase until the impact of changes becomes clearer. In March 2018 the 457 will be replaced by the Temporary Skills Shortages Visa (TSS). One thing that can be said with certainty is that being Sponsored by an Australian company will, in future, result in a shorter visa validity length of two years and the right to transition to Permanent residency from this visa will be heavily curtailed.

Impact of Changes to Australian Immigration 2017 for Permanent Residency Visas
At the same time as the 457 subclass changes were announced so too were changes to the various ‘occupations in demand’ lists.

Previously, 457 applicants were required to have an occupation on what was known as the Consolidated Skilled Occupations List. This list is now known as the Short Term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL).

The CSOL and now the STSOL however, also impacts those looking at the 190 Permanent Residency Visa for Australia and unfortunately some 200 occupations are no longer eligible for the 190 Permanent Residency Program.

Occupations removed from the CSOL in April 2017 as it changed to the STSOL
Defense Force Senior
Turf Grower
Deer Farmer
Goat Farmer
Public Relations Manager
Policy and Planning Manager
Research and Development manager
Project Builder
Importer / Exporter
Wholesaler
Production Manager (Manufacturing)
Production Manager (Mining)
Procurement Manager
Medical Administrator
Regional Education Manager
Commissioned Defense Officer
Commissioned Fire Officer
Commissioned Police Officer
Non Commissioned Defense Member
Sports Administrator
Licensed Club Manager
Bed and Breakfast Manager
Retirement Home Manager
Antique Dealer
Betting Agency Manager
Travel Agency Manager
Amusement Center manager
Call Center Manager
Railway Station Manager
Kennel Operator
Cinema / Theater manager
Bank Manager
Actor
Entertainer
Composer
Music Director
Painter
Potter
Sculptor
Artistic Director
Media Producer
Radio presenter
TV Presenter
Author
Art Director (Film / TV/ Stage)
Radio Journalist
Treasurer
Futures Trader
Human Resource Adviser
Workplace Relations Adviser
Training Professional
Archivist
Intelligence Officer
Policy Analyst
Electorate Officer
Liaison Officer
Migration Agent
Market Research Analyst
Sales Representative
Airplane Pilot
Flying Instructor
Helicopter Pilot
Air Transport Professional
Master Fisher
Ships Engineer
Ships Master
Ships officer
Marine Surveyor
Marine Transport Professional
Multimedia Designer
Chemical Engineer
Materials Engineer
Electronics Engineer
Industrial engineer
Production or Plant Engineer
Petroleum Engineer
Food Technologist
Conservation Officer
Park ranger
Geophysicist
Hydrologist
Microbiologist
Biochemist
Bio-technologist
Life Scientist
Metallurgist
Exercise Physiologist
Natural and Physical Science professional
Vocational Education Teacher (Trades)
Vocational Education Teacher (Non Trades)
Education Reviewer
Drama Teacher
Homeopath
Nurse Researcher
Web Developer
ICT Support and Test Engineer
Judge
Magistrate
Tribunal Member
Intellectual property Lawyer
Historian
Translator
Archaeologist
Community Arts Worker
Operating Theater Technician
Phlebotomist
Fisheries officer
School Laboratory Technician
Hydrotherapy
Construction estimator
Plumbing Inspector
Surveying or Spatial Science Technician Civil Engineering technician
Electronic Engineering Draughtsperon
Electronic Engineering Technician
Mechanical Engineering Draughtsperson
Safety Inspector
Maintenance Planner
IT / ICT Support Technicians
Telecommunications Network Planner
Blacksmith
Electroplater
Metal Casting Trades Worker
Metal Polisher
Pressure Welder
Aircraft Maintenance Engineer
Engraver
Gunsmith
Saw Maker
Engineering Pattern-maker
Vehicle Painter
Floor Finisher
Stonemason
Electrical Linesworker
Communications Operator
Cable Jointer
Telecommunications Technician
Butcher
Horse Trainer
Zoo Keeper
Kennel Hand
Shearer
Nurseryperson
Screen Printer
Graphic Pre-Press Worker
Small Offset Printer
Leather Goods Maker
Sail Maker
Showmaker
Apparel Cutter
Clothing Patternmaker
Tailor
Dressmaker
Clothing Trades Worker
Wood Turner
Gas Operator
Gallery Technician
Light Technician
Musical Instrument Repairer
Television Equipment Operator
Diver
Interior Designer
Optical Dispenser
Optical Mechanic
Plastics Technician
Wool Classer
Fire protection Equipment Technician
Broadcast Transmitter Operator
Technician and Trades Worker (not elsewhere classified)
Dental Hygienist
Dental Prosthetic Technician
Dental Therapist
Mothercraft Nurse
Aboriginal health Worker
Parole Officer
Defense Force member
Emergency Service Worker
Fire Fighter
Police officer
Prison Officer
Driving Instructor
Funeral Director
Flight Attendant
Travel Attendant
First Aid Trainer
Dog Racing Official
Horse Racing Official
Sports Umpire
Sports official
Golfer
Jockey
Legal Executive
Bailiff
Insurance Investigator
Insurance Risk Surveyor
Clinical Coder
Auctioneer
Stock Agent
Business Broker
Retail Buyer
Wool Buyer
Driller

In reality here at Lets Go Global we seen very few Jockeys, Golfers, Sheep Shearers, Goat farmers or Gunsmiths and the inclusion of many of these occupations will in reality only impact a few people on the 190 list out of the many hundreds of thousands that make an Expression of Interest of Australian Permanent Residency each and every year.

Some though are a little more serious such as vehicle painters, web developers and other IT / ICT Codes.
If you’re worried about the changes to Australian Immigration 2017 do take our free online visa assessment for an up to date consultation as to how the changes impact your planned application.

State Sponsored 190 Visa impact
In response to these changes made at political level many of the states and territories closed their immigration programs until 1st July 2017 which is the date many of them would have implemented their local and regional list changes anyhow. However, if you’ve yet to start your application then the reality is that you are unlikely to even be finished the crucial skills assessment part of the process by the time the States and Territories reopen their Australian Immigration programs so, as ever, our advice is to start the process as soon as we’ve been able to confirm your eligibility to immigrate to Australia.

Impact on the 189 Permanent Residency Visa of changes to Australia Immigration 2017
The 189 List used to be known as the SOL or by its long name the Skilled occupations List. Only occupations on the SOL were eligible for the very top tier 189 Permanent residency subclass visa.
The Australian Skilled Occupations List was replaced in April 2017 by the Medium and Long Term Strategic Skills List or MLTSSL for short although occupations on the current main SOL list are still valid for migration under the 189 Permanent Residency Stream.

Australian Immigration Changes in 2017 to the points score
The changes to Australian Immigration in 2017 had no material impact on points score requirements for most occupations. Accountant Immigration 2017 remains slightly tougher due to increased points requirements and occupational ceiling limits.

Worried about the changes to Australia Immigration in 2017? Take our free online Australia Visa assessment for a full and detailed consultations as to your eligibility (or not) and let us map out the most viable Australian Immigration pathway for you and your family.

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My occupation is still on the SOL / CSOL / MLTSSL / STSOL will it be removed in the future?
We can’t say for certain. What we can say is that the changes to Australian Immigration in 2017 serve as a stark reminder that with Immigration its about you being wanted down under rather than you having the luxury of choosing whether or not you may or may not like to move to Australia.

The following occupations have been flagged for removal from the current lists. Some occupations have been included and excluded from this list many times over, and for some its their first inclusion. If your occupation is on this list we advise that you start the process as soon as eligibility for immigration to Australia can be established

Occupations red flagged for removal from the main 189 occupations list:
Production Manager (Mining)
Accountant (general)
Management Accountant
Taxation Accountant
Actuary
Land Economist
Valuer
Ships Engineer
Ships Master
Ships officer
Surveyor
Cartographer
Spatial Scientist
Chemical Engineer
Civil Engineer
Geo-technical Engineer
Quantity Surveyor
Structural Engineer
Transport Engineer
Electronics Engineer
Industrial Engineer
Mechanical Engineer
Production Engineer
Plant Engineer
Aeronautical Engineer
Biochemical Engineer
Engineering Technologist
Environmental Engineer
Naval Architect
Medical Laboratory Scientist
Veterinarian
Medical Diagnostic Radiographer
Medical Radiation Therapist
Occupational Therapist
Podiatrist
Speech Pathologist
General Practitioner
Anesthetist
Cardiologist
Endocrinologist
Gastroenterologist
Intensive care Specialist
Pediatrician
Obstetrician and Gynecologist
Medical Practitioner not elsewhere classified
Barrister
Solicitor
Psychotherapist
Psychologist
Chef
Boat Builder
Boat Repairer
Shipwright

For the most up to date assessment of your Australian Immigration chances take our online visa assessment today. We don’t use any fancy computer programs or automated systems so each of our assessments are reviewed by hand by a specialist on your occupation field.

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