2016-17 Skilled Occupation List - Flagged Occupations

The process of updating the Skilled Occupation List for 2016-17 is now underway. The Department of Education is responsible for providing advice to the Minister on the composition of the Skilled Occupation List and they have flagged the following occupations for consideration as to whether they should be included in 2016-17 list:

133513 Production Manager (Mining) 

221111 Accountant (General), 221112 Management Accountant, 221113 Taxation Accountant, 224111 Actuary, 224511 Land Economist, 224512 Valuer, 232212 Surveyor, 232213 Cartographer, 232214 Other Spatial Scientist, 233111 Chemical Engineer, 233211 Civil Engineer, 233212 Geotechnical Engineer, 233213 Quantity Surveyor, 233214 Structural Engineer, 233215 Transport Engineer, 233411 Electronics Engineer, 233511 Industrial Engineer, 233512 Mechanical Engineer, 233513 Production or Plant Engineer, 233611 Mining Engineer (except Petroleum), 233612 Petroleum Engineer, 233911 Aeronautical Engineer, 233912 Agricultural Engineer, 233913 Biomedical Engineer, 233914 Engineering Technologist, 233915 Environmental Engineer, 233916 Naval Architect, 234611 Medical Laboratory Scientist, 234711 Veterinarian, 234912 Metallurgist, 241411 Secondary School Teacher, 251311 Environmental Health Officer, 251312 Occupational Health and Safety Adviser, 252712 Speech Pathologist, 271111 Barrister, 271311 Solicitor

321111 Automotive Electrician, 321211 Motor Mechanic (General), 321212 Diesel Motor Mechanic, 321213 Motorcycle Mechanic, 321214 Small Engine Mechanic, 322211 Sheetmetal Trades Worker, 331111 Bricklayer, 331112 Stonemason, 331211 Carpenter and Joiner, 331212 Carpenter, 331213 Joiner, 332211 Painting Trades Workers, 333111 Glazier, 333211 Fibrous Plasterer, 333212 Solid Plasterer, 333411 Wall and Floor Tiler, 351311 Chef*, 399111 Boat Builder and Repairer, 399112 Shipwright

411211 Dental Hygienist,411212 Dental Prosthetist, 411213 Dental Technician, 411214 Dental Therapist

It's surprising to see so many trades have been flagged but I'm sure the construction industry will be lobbying hard to prevent their removal from the list next financial year.   

Migration Review Tribunal merges with Administrative Appeals Tribunal

The Migration Review Tribunal, as well as the Refugee Review and Social Security Appeals Tribunals, have now merged with the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT). The amalgamation of these Tribunals took effect on the 1st July 2015. The AAT is due to publish new practice directions, guidelines and forms as part of the new arrangements. Further information on the merger can be found at www.aat.gov.au  

The Federal Budget and visa application charge increases

As part of the Federal Budget, the Australian Government announced that it would raise $437 million over four years by increasing visa application charges from the 1st July 2015. This has saw offshore partner and fiance visa application charges increase from $4,630 to $6,865 overnight.

There's more bad news in the Budget for Working Holiday makers. From the 1st July 2016, Working Holiday makers will lose their 'residency' status for tax purposes, meaning they will pay 32.5% tax on the first dollar of income earned. 

New Skilled Occupation List 2015-16 released!

The legislative instrument with the new SOL has been published and is effective from the 1st July. It's good news for Panel Beaters and Cabinet Makers who have been added to the list. Dentists, Dental Specialists and Urban and Regional Planners have however been removed.