Along with health care, construction project managers and mechanical engineers, software engineers and developer programmers are to be given exemptions to the Federal government’s immigration ban.

The occupations on the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL) were based on advice from the National Skills Commission and through consultation with relevant Commonwealth agencies.

Skilled workers in the 17 nominated occupations will be able to sidestep the ban imposed in March that allowed only citizens and permanent residents allowed to enter Australia as part of measures to slow the spread of COVID.

Those seeking to enter under the exemption will still need to hold a valid visa and will be subject to 14 days quarantine at their own expense on arrival.

Employers will be required to advertise the jobs on the Federal government’s JobActive website along with other established market testing requirements.

While existing skilled migration occupation lists remain active and visas are still being processed, priority will be given to those in occupations on the PMSOL.

In our recent Pre-Budget submission, we called on the Federal Government to ensure the pandemic does not impact the mobility of IT Professionals wanting to move into the Australian market in areas of shortage because workers with qualifications from overseas make up around 30 per cent of employed IT professionals. Providing the normal market testing requirements are in place, Professionals Australia understands the ICT industry is one of Australia’s most critical sources of skills, innovation and job creation to help Australia rebuild the economy post-COVID-19.

The 17 occupations on the priority lists are:

• Chief Executive or Managing Director
• Construction Project Manager
• Mechanical Engineer
• General Practitioner
• Resident Medical Officer
• Psychiatrist
• Medical Practitioner
• Midwife
• Registered Nurse (Aged Care)
• Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency)
• Registered Nurse (Medical)
• Registered Nurse (Mental Health)
• Registered Nurse (Perioperative)
• Registered Nurses
• Developer Programmer
• Software Engineer, and
• Maintenance Planner.

Click here to read the media release in full.