Dentists and dental specialists, together with urban and regional planners have been removed from the updated Skilled Occupation List while panelbeaters and cabinet makers have been added.

The occupational ceilings for other jobs including barristers and solicitors, accountants, occupational health and safety, medical laboratory scientists and petroleum engineers are expected to be scaled back and may potentially close along with several other jobs in the next review.

The SOL was updated based on the findings of a review of Australia’s labour market and education and migration data by the Department of Industry and Science. The review considered submissions by industry, unions, trade and professional organisations.

“Cabinet makers and panelbeaters make a valuable contribution to the Australian economy. Migrants with these skills will enhance the size and skill of the Australian workforce,” Minister Michaelia Cash said in a joint press release with Assistant Education Minister Simon Birmingham.

Minister Cash said the new occupations on the SOL reflect that there is a gap between the skills of Australians and the work that needs to be done.

Migration Alliance is in receipt of the following email from Kay Ransome:

Dear Community Liaison Network

As you are aware, tomorrow the Migration Review Tribunal (MRT) and the Refugee Review Tribunal (RRT) will become the Migration and Refugee Division of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT). As a result of these changes, today will be my last day as the Principal Member of the MRT-RRT.

At Bupa we understand that the end of financial year can be a stressful time for Migration Agents.  Everyone reacts to stress differently however, there are things you can do to help you cope with stress, and lower your risk of developing stress-related health problems. Here are 5 quick tips on how to manage stress and maintain wellbeing during this busy time of year.

1) Maintain balance
It’s important not to let stress and anxiety consume you.  Balance between activities and not over-committing to work related activities provides an opportunity for relaxation and ‘down time’.   

Educational Testing Service (ETS), creator of the TOEFL iBT® test, welcomes the revised English-language registration standards announced by the Australian Health Practitioner Registration Agency (AHPRA).

From 1 July 2015, regulated health practitioners in Australia will be able to use their TOEFL® test scores to demonstrate English-language proficiency required for initial registration.

The professions covered by AHPRA under the revised English language requirements are:

The following message has been sent to Migration Alliance by the MRT-RRT for immediate publication:

The Migration Review Tribunal and Refugee Review Tribunal amalgamate with the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) from 1 July 2015, becoming the Migration and Refugee Division of the AAT.

Due to planned maintenance and required systems changes, access to both our website and the online lodgement facility will be unavailable from 11.00pm on 30 June to 8.00am on 1 July 2015 (AEST).