New Australian Skilled Occupation List (SOL) for Immigration Applications announced 17 May 2010 For concise and recent immigration information watch our news. Immigration Minister Chris Evans had previously announced the revocations of the Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL) from 8 February 2010. Now following advice from the Independent body, Skills Australia a new Skilled Occupation List (SOL) has just been announced. This is due to be implemented on 1 July 2010. The new immigration reforms are intended to make sure that the Australian skilled immigration program will result in new immigrants who better meets the needs of the Australian economy and the skilled labour needs in Australia. It is expected that there will be a reduction in the number of independent skilled migrant visas. There will at the same time be an increase in the number of employer sponsored skilled immigration visas. The number of occupations on the skilled occupation list has now been reduced from 400 occupations to 181 occupations. Australian immigration feels that the new list is in keeping with Australia's overall workforce development strategy which was developed with Skills Australia. If you wish to gain entry to Australia on the new list you will find that the list is focused more on higher skilled level occupations requiring formal education and training. The occupations on the list include managerial, professional, associate-professional and trade occupations. The skilled occupation list will be reviewed on an annual basis. The Australian Government in their recent announcement has said that they are committed "… to a labour market demand-driven skilled migration program… ". The new skilled occupation list will...
