The Australian Government has expanded the number of roles eligible for fast-tracked work visas under the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL), enabling Australian businesses to import foreign nationals for a further 22 recently added roletypes, including a range of engineering, ICT, accounting, construction, and scientific professions.
What has changed?
Across two announcements in June and July 2021, the Australian Government has doubled the number of ‘critical occupations’ listed on the PMSOL, bringing the list to a total of 44 roletypes which will receive priority visas when sponsored by an Australian business. While the PMSOL was initially weighted heavily toward medical professions when it was first launched in 2020, these latest amendments now incorporate a much broader range of disciplines.
Skillsets currently accessible through PMSOL include:
ENGINEERING: Civil, Electrical, Geotechnical, Structural, Mining, Petroleum and Transport Engineers
IT: ICT Specialist, Multimedia Specialist, Analyst Programmer, Software and Applications Programmers
FINANCE: Accountant, Management Accountant, Taxation Accountant, Internal and External Auditor
SCIENTIFIC: Medical Laboratory Scientist, Spatial Scientist, Orthotist/Prosthetist and Pharmacists
CONSTRUCTION: Cartographer and Surveyor
What is the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL)?
The PMSOL was created in September 2020, initially identifying 17 occupations deemed essential to Australia's COVID-19 economic recovery and therefore eligible for priority visa processing. This list essentially enables the included professions to jump the queue ahead of other existing Australian Government skilled migration occupation lists.
The initial list was developed under advice from the National Skills Commission and has since been adjusted on four separate occasions. The Government considers the list to be temporary, and as such, the occupations included and the existence of the list itself, could change with little forewarning.
How can I source workers for my business under the PMSOL?
PMSOL occupations are eligible for priority processing, where an employer sponsors one of the following visa subclasses:
- Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa (subclass 482)
- Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494)
- Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa (subclass 186)
- Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) visa (subclass 187)
Engaging an agency can make the process much easier
Sourcing scarce or highly specialised personnel from outside of Australia doesn’t need to be a big deal – in fact, for Brunel it’s business as usual. Whether you need an entire team or a single critical role, Brunel excels at connecting organisations with the very best talent from around the world.
Brunel offers a turnkey global mobilisation service which can incorporate everything from the recruitment and selection process, to engaging your preferred candidate, taking care of visa, work permit and immigration requirements (including 482 visa sponsorship), travel exemptions and quarantine obligations, and the coordination of all flights and relocation needs for your new staff member and their family.
Managing the technical processes and administration each step of the way, Brunel’s experts work closely with all involved to ensure a smooth and efficient transition. Brunel can help absorb risk while ensuring that your new hire has everything they need, and is deployed quickly and efficiently.
Talk to Brunel about how we can help you engage and mobilise skilled international workers through the PMSOL scheme.