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Skilled shortage occupations in Australia – What does that mean?

Australia is a hotspot for aspiring international students looking to kick start their career. Australian employers are always on a lookout for exceptional talent with specialized skills. The Australian Government’s Department of Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business is a function that supports Australia’s economic growth and regularly shares insights on skill shortages in Australia. They update the skill shortage occupation list at different levels: national, state & regional. As an international student, you should know this because it helps identify which skills sets are in demand by employers and which course will help you be more employable and ultimately get a work visa.

What are skilled shortage occupations?

Occupations with skill shortages arise when employers find it hard to attract local professionals with the right skill set for the job. Knowing which jobs are in high demand can help you choose career paths and decide what subjects to study. As of now, the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL) identifies 44 occupations that are needed to support Australia’s economic recovery from COVID-19. This list is formulated based on expert advice from the National Skills Commission and consultation with Commonwealth departments. According to them, skill shortages occur due to:

  • Shortage of talent with the right skills
  • High turnover trends when employees are unsatisfied with compensation or working conditions
  • General labor shortage

Skill shortages can also change due to the rapid development of technology and the economy. A quick and more effective way to reduce skills shortages is to have skilled migrant workers move into the country. That is why visa applications with an occupation on the PMSOL have priority processing.

Improve your chances of gaining a Permanent Residency

The Australian government has specially developed policies with the aim of employing migrants with experience in areas where there is a skill shortfall. The skilled migration program caters to those who can contribute to the Australian economy and fill roles where no local workers are available. So, if you’re planning to settle in Australia after you complete your education, watch out for jobs that are in high demand.

Improve your chances of getting a permanent residency by completing a course in the field that has a high demand for specialists and experts. Right now, there are 95,758 people who have made use of this scheme in Australia, with the greatest proportion from India (24.6 percent), followed by the United Kingdom (19.5 percent) and China (5.8 percent).

The Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List

The Australian labor market predicts that the following sectors will have a large demand through 2023:

  • Health Care and Social Assistance (252,600)
  • Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (172,400)
  • Education and Training (113,700)
  • Construction (118,800)

Studies show that the highest demand is for registered nurses, with about 17,509 roles open, followed by 8,748 for software/application programmers, electricians, carpenters, secondary school teachers, and machinists. You can do more research and find specific roles to understand which courses can help you obtain the skill set required for the job.

Visas available to skilled shortage workers

Take a look at the visas available to you if you get jobs from the skilled occupation list:

  • Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa
  • Skilled Employer-Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa
  • Skilled Independent visa
  • Skilled Nominated visa
  • Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa
  • Temporary Graduate visa
  • Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa
  • Skilled Employer-Sponsored Regional (provisional) visa

Eligibility for these visas differs, so do check all requirements thoroughly after you’ve determined which visa is ideal for you. Generally, to be eligible for the above visas you need to:

  • You must be at least 18 years old and not more than 45 years old. This does not apply to the Graduate Visa, which allows people under the age of 50 to apply.
  • Be invited to apply
  • Meet the points test
  • Meet the study or skill criteria
  • Have work experience in the skilled occupation
  • Have competent English
  • Meet the Australian health requirements
  • Meet the character requirements

The perks of being permanent resident in Australia

Being a permanent resident of Australia means you can enjoy a number of benefits like:

  • Invite a family member or a relative to visit Australia
  • Medicare health card
  • Up to 5 years travel from and to Australia
  • Unlimited work rights
  • Social security benefits
  • Financial opportunities such as bank loans, first home buyer advantages

Australia has seen that a major issue holding back major businesses today is skilled labor shortages. The government has also realized that an ideal option is to grant work visas to international students training in fields that are in limited supply and are already settled in the country. It’s your time to tap into these opportunities and create a successful career for yourself in Australia. Do the necessary research and study to gain the skills needed and your future is all set to go! Want to know more about how you can apply for the skilled shortage occupations in Australia? Get in touch with us today!

Date Published: Aug-12-2022

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About the author

Anupama Kumar is a content writer based in Bangalore, India. She writes blogs, stories, articles and social media content and has a passion for helping people and connecting with them through her writing. A professional writer by day and a creative one by night, her own stories, musings, quotes and poems inspired by her travels are also published on various platforms.

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