The Australian Government has released the new Skilled Occupations List and Consolidated Sponsored Occupations List, which will be used for the purpose of general skilled visa applications that are assessed for the 12 months from the 1st of July 2015.

Panelbeaters and cabinet makers have been added to the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) for independent skilled migration applicants, making the subclass 189 visa available to individuals with one of these nominated occupations.

Urban and regional planners, dentists and dental specialists have been removed from the SOL, but remain on the CSOL – so a visa skilled visa strategy remains available if sponsorship from a State or Territory Government can be secured.

We await the updated State and Territory Government wanted skills lists, and will publish details when they are known.

The new SOL and CSOL are available here.