FOR APPOINTMENT & MIGRATION QUESTIONS
Australia ranks among the top destinations for job seekers looking to work abroad. Indians find the country more attractive due to its favorable immigration laws favoring professionals. It’s much easier to get a permanent residence in Australia as a skilled worker than in most of the other developed countries in the world.
As you may be aware, Australia periodically publishes a list of skilled occupations in demand for migration purposes. This usually happens on the 1st of July, but last year it was delayed due to COVID19. The list is significant because it indicates the most popular occupations in Australia for migrants. The Department of Home Affairs (DoHA) regularly updates the Australian occupation list, which currently offers over 200 occupations.
Permanent residency is every immigrant’s dream, and if you have a skill that’s in high demand in Australia, you could get yourself a PR. One fact you may not know is that each occupation has a specific number of places available.
That means all occupations can’t have the same number of places available. One result is that some occupations are much more competitive than others; for example, some get a quota every month, but others only receive invites every two months.
Every financial year, Australia announces the ceiling point for every occupation. The ceiling isn’t a score that immigrant needs to achieve, but rather the maximum number of vacancies available at the time..
Occupation ceilings usually don’t apply to Territory or Stated nominated visas. Also, employer-sponsored visas are independent of the ceiling. That means you can get hired directly by an employer and move to Australia even if the occupation ceiling for that year has already been attained.
If you had applied for an “Expression of Interest” and are currently on the queue for the 189 visas, you are also free from the occupation ceiling.
The annual slots for the Skilled Occupations Lists are usually confirmed based on the needs of Australia’s economy. For example, in the financial year 2021-2022, only 160,000 visas will be issued. Half of this number is reserved for skilled occupations while the rest are family visas.Trade jobs such as electricians, mechanics, and carpenters are allocated between 5,000 and 8,000 per occupation. It is estimated that 17,000 registered nurses are needed this year, a number that has increased by nearly 2,000 from the previous year.
Professions like software programmers and school teachers have been allocated over 8,000 spots.Engineering occupations such as electronics, chemical, and electrical engineering vary between 1,000 to 3,700 depending on the category.
Check the below list of occupations available to skilled immigrants in Australia for 2021.
| NOC Code | Job Title | Occupation Code | 2021 Occupation Ceiling |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Registered Nurses | 2544 | 17,859 |
| 2 | Secondary School Teachers | 2414 | 8,716 |
| 3 | Software and Applications Programmers | 2613 | 8,405 |
| 4 | Electricians | 3411 | 8,021 |
| 5 | Construction Managers | 1331 | 7,145 |
| 6 | Carpenters and Joiners | 3312 | 6,812 |
| 7 | Metal Fitters and Machinists | 3232 | 6,335 |
| 8 | Plumbers | 3341 | 5,861 |
| 9 | Motor Mechanics | 3212 | 5,205 |
| 10 | University Lecturers and Tutors | 2421 | 5,042 |
| 11 | Structural Steel and Welding Trades Workers | 3223 | 4,866 |
| 12 | Solicitors | 2713 | 4,535 |
| 13 | Management consultants | 2247 | 4,526 |
| 14 | General Practitioners and Resident Medical officers | 2531 | 4,257 |
| 15 | Other Specialist Managers | 1399 | 4,188 |
| 16 | Civil Engineering Professionals | 2332 | 3,919 |
| 17 | Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teachers | 2411 | 3,321 |
| 18 | Painting Trades Workers | 3322 | 3,303 |
| 19 | Industrial, Mechanical and Production Engineers | 2335 | 2,682 |
| 20 | Database and Systems Administrators and ICT Security Specialists | 2621 | 2,667 |
| 21 | ICT Business and Systems Analysts | 2611 | 2,273 |
| 22 | Chefs | 3513 | 2,256 |
| 23 | Computer Network Professionals | 2631 | 2,245 |
| 24 | Electronics Trades Workers | 3423 | 2,047 |
| 25 | Social Workers | 2725 | 1,862 |
| 26 | Special Education Teachers | 2415 | 1,721 |
| 27 | Bricklayers and Stonemasons | 3311 | 1,712 |
| 28 | Cabinetmakers | 3941 | 1,694 |
| 29 | Physiotherapists | 2525 | 1,685 |
| 30 | Health and Welfare Services Managers | 1342 | 1,666 |
| 31 | Auditors, Company Secretaries and Corporate Treasurers | 2212 | 1,619 |
| 32 | Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanics | 3421 | 1,581 |
| 33 | Psychologists | 2723 | 1,545 |
| 34 | Medical Laboratory Scientists | 2346 | 1,536 |
| 35 | Engineering Managers | 1332 | 1,474 |
| 36 | Occupational Therapists | 2524 | 1,461 |
| 37 | Architects and Landscape Architects | 2321 | 1,452 |
| 38 | Plasterers | 3332 | 1,452 |
| 39 | Electrical Engineers | 2333 | 1,348 |
| 40 | Midwives | 2541 | 1,333 |
| 41 | Environmental Scientists | 2343 | 1,295 |
| 42 | Sports Coaches, Instructors and Officials | 4523 | 1,262 |
| 43 | Animal Attendants and Trainers | 3611 | 1,239 |
| 44 | Other Medical Practitioners | 2539 | 1,168 |
| 45 | Medical Imaging Professionals | 2512 | 1,161 |
| 46 | Other Natural and Physical Science Professionals | 2349 | 1,056 |
| 47 | Accountants | 2211 | 1,000 |
| 48 | Wall and Floor Tilers | 3334 | 1,000 |
| 49 | Artistic Directors, and Media Producers and Presenters | 2121 | 1,000 |
| 50 | Actors, Dancers and Other Entertainers | 2111 | 1,000 |
For a more comprehensive detailed occupation list, please check the listing on the Department of Home Affairs website.
Australia has a vast range of job opportunities, so if you plan to move there soon, you’re guaranteed to find one that suits your interests. Every sector is covered — engineering, finance, education, hospitality, and the list goes on. As you already know, the types of professions vary from year to year depending on what’s happening in the economy.
If you have already secured a job or are in the process of searching and need a skilled immigrant visa, MIS Consultants can help you with the entire process. We will:
MIS Consultants is a Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA) accredited immigration consultancy agency. We pride ourselves on highly qualified immigration experts with decades of experience in the industry and the highest moral code of operation. Contact us today and let us help you transition smoothly to Australia as a skilled immigrant.
