Are you interested in working in Australia? If so, you’ll need to be aware of the Australia Skilled Occupation List. This list is managed by the Department of Home Affairs and provides a comprehensive insight into the occupations which skilled migrants may be eligible to apply for.
The list seeks to offer a picture of what professions are available in the Australian workforce, in order to guarantee that qualified migrants are able to work in occupations that match their talents. The list is constantly being reviewed and updated, so it’s important that applicants keep up-to-date with any changes.
All you need to know about the Australia Skilled Occupation List—including its definition, location, list of occupations, and application procedures—will be addressed in this article.
What Is the Australia Skilled Occupation List?
The Australian government's Skilled Occupation List (SOL) is a list of occupations that are in demand in the country and are thus eligible for skilled migration. The list is updated regularly and outlines which occupations the Australian Department of Home Affairs has identified as having skills shortages in Australia. If a job appears on the SOL, it indicates that there are not enough people with the right skills to push up wages and businesses may have to look overseas to fill the gap.
The list can be used by corporations in Australia who would like to engage international experts or by persons from overseas who would wish to apply for an Australian visa. If an occupation appears on the SOL and meets certain criteria, applicants are more likely to receive an invitation for permanent visas than if their occupation isn't listed.
It is important to note that if your occupation does appear on the SOL, you will still need to meet other requirements such as English language proficiency, medical clearances, character checks, and appropriate qualifications before you can enter Australia with a work visa.
How Is Your Occupation Assessed?
If you are applying for a skilled visa to Australia, the government will assess your occupation against the Skilled Occupation List (SOL). The list covers the jobs that are in demand in Australia, and it is updated frequently to reflect changes in the employment market.
Your occupation must appear on the SOL in order for you to qualify for a skilled visa. Your eligibility for an Australian visa is evaluated by a points test that analyses variables such as age, language competency, job experience, and education. If your occupation appears on the SOL, you must also meet any of the additional criteria set by relevant assessing authorities.
In addition to being on this list, you must demonstrate that you have the abilities and qualifications essential to perform successfully in your chosen vocation. You may be requested to give verification of your credentials and job experience through papers such as certificates or references from employers.
What Are the Basic Requirements to Apply?
Applying for the Australia Skilled Occupation List (SOL) is a complicated process that requires several steps and specific eligibility criteria. To begin, you must:
Be between the ages of 18-45
Have at least two to three years of post-qualification full-time (or comparable part-time) work in a selected field
Meet the required English language proficiency levels
Score at least 65 points on the General Skilled Migration Points Test
Meet health and character requirements
Have competent English language skills
Additionally, it’s important to note that you must have an occupation on the SOL to apply for a visa under this program. In order to achieve this condition, you must receive a positive assessment from the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF), or be authorized by an appropriate assessing authority, such as Engineers Australia or Trades Recognition Australia. These assessing authorities will determine if your qualifications are comparable to those recognized in Australia, so it's important to obtain one of these preliminary assessments prior to applying for entry into the country through the Skilled Occupation List program.