Australian Immigration Daily News

State Government of Victoria is seeking submissions in relation to its composition of the State Skilled Occupation List.  The initial deadline to provide submissions by 18 March has now been extended to 7 April 2019.

By way of background the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions (DJPR), through the Skilled and Business Migration Program, is responsible for providing visa nomination to highly skilled and employable migrants to live and work in Victoria permanently (for the Skilled Nominated subclass 190 visa) or on a provisional basis (for the Skilled Regional subclass 489 (Provisional) visa).

In response to the ever-growing demand for migration to regional areas as well as to address skills shortages across Victoria, the State government has opened consultation process with relevant stakeholders.

Specifically the submissions are sought in relation to:

• insights into current and future skills shortages
• experience with recruitment and hiring difficulties
• knowledge of highly specialised skills or experiences and
• variations in skill shortages in regional Victoria

There are two ways in which interested parties may participate

1. Complete an online survey (appropriate if submission is in relation to a particular occupation)
2. Provide a written submission (appropriate if addressing broader skills shortage)

The link to the survey can be found here:

https://engage.vic.gov.au/victorian-visa-nomination-occupation-list-review

The scope of the survey is not merely limited to organisations such as employers.  Migration Agents, local governments, members of the public, academics as well as members of the community groups are encouraged to take part in the submission process.

In order for a submission to be considered, the following information should be provided in relation to each occupation:

1. Should the occupation be added to, remain on or removed from the draft occupation list?

2. Are there any regions of Victoria that are experiencing a shortage of the occupation?

3. Should candidates hold a minimum qualification to be eligible for nomination in this

occupation?

4. Should candidates hold minimum years of experience to be eligible for nomination in this

occupation?

5. Are there any specialist skills in shortage in this occupation?

Claims made in relation to skills shortage should be justified by way of supporting evidence.  For example, those seeking to make a submission should provide supporting material relating which is considered relevant and recent data or information, accurate and easily interpreted, unbiased and representative of whole of industry in Victoria and/or region, publicly available (where possible) and the source clearly identified.

Whilst each submission will be considered and taken into account, there is no guarantee that a submission relating to an occupation will result in the occupation appearing on the final Victorian State List.

The aim of the process is to potentially open doors to occupations which are currently not on the Victorian State List. It should be noted that submissions relating to subclass 489 visas must relate to occupations which currently appear on Short Term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL), Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) or Regional Occupation List (ROL).

The updated State list is expected to become publicly available in Mid 2019.

Final date to provide a submission is 7 April 2019.