Latest COVID-19 Travel Exemptions & Priority Visa Processing for Skilled Occupations in PMSOL

Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL)

In order to support Australia’s businesses to fill critical skills shortage from the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Australian Government has identified 3 key sectors to be given priority in terms of visa processing and travel exemptions for temporary visa holders to enter Australia. These sectors were identified based on advice from the National Skills Commission and consultation with relevant Commonwealth agencies and they are the healthcare, the construction and the information technology (ICT) sectors.

The Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL) has been introduced and has come into effect from 1 September 2020 with an initial 17 occupations listed on the PMSOL, and now it identifies 44 ​occupations which fill critical skills needs to support Australia’s economic recovery from COVID-19. The list is based on expert advice from the National Skills Commission and consultation with Commonwealth departments of Australia.

These 44 occupations and their corresponding ANZSCO codes are as below: (you may simply click on the occupations below to see how you can migrate to Australia through that particular occupation)

• Chief Executive or Managing Director (111111)
• Construction Project Manager (133111)
• Accountant (General) (221111)*
• Management Accountant (221112)*
• Taxation Accountant (221113)*
• External Auditor (221213)*
• Internal Auditor (221214)*
• Surveyor (232212)*
• Cartographer (232213)*
• Other Spatial Scientist (232214)*
• Civil Engineer (233211)*
• Geotechnical Engineer (233212)*
• Structural Engineer (233214)*
• Transport Engineer (233215)*
• Electrical Engineer (233311)*
• Mechanical Engineer (233512)
• Mining Engineer (excluding Petroleum) (233611)*
• Petroleum Engineer (233612)*
• Medical Laboratory Scientist (234611)*
• Veterinarian (234711)
• Hospital Pharmacist (251511)
• Industrial Pharmacist (251512)
• Retail Pharmacist (251513)
• Orthotist or Prosthetist (251912)*
• General Practitioner (253111)
• Resident Medical Officer (253112)
• Psychiatrist (253411)
• Medical Practitioners nec (253999)
• Midwife (254111)
• Registered Nurse (Aged Care) (254412)
• Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency) (254415)
• Registered Nurse (Medical) (254418)
• Registered Nurse (Mental Health) (254422)
• Registered Nurse (Perioperative) (254423)
• Registered Nurses nec (254499)
• Multimedia Specialist (261211)*
• Analyst Programmer (261311)*
• Developer Programmer (261312)
• Software Engineer (261313)
• Software and Applications Programmers nec (261399)*
• ICT Security Specialist (262112)*
• Social Worker (272511)
• Maintenance Planner (312911)
• Chef (351311)*

The occupations on the PMSOL list are valid as of the time of writing and will be subjected to amendments from time-to-time. The broader Skills Occupation List can be found here which include the latest occupations and visa programs they have access to.

Priority Processing of Nomination & Visa Applications

The processing of the nomination & visa application associated with an occupation specified in the PMSOL in the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS), Employer Sponsored, Regional Sponsored or Skilled Regional Points-tested visa program will be given the highest priority. All other skilled occupation lists will remain active, but the PMSOL occupations will take precedence over other occupations not on the PMSOL.

Visa subclasses in the TSS, Employer Sponsored, Skilled Regional Employer Sponsored include:

• Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa
• Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme visa
• Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa
• Subclass 187 Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme visa

Similarly, all applications through the Global Talent Visa Program and Subclass 188 Business Innovation & Investment (Provisional) visa will have the same priority processing as the occupations in the PMSOL. For Subclass 188 visa program, Subclass 188 visa application in the Significant Investor stream will take precedence over other streams.

COVID-19 Border Entry Exemption for Visa Holders

Under the priority arrangements, Subclass 482/494/186/187 temporary visa holder associated with occupations in the PMSOL will be able to apply for travel exemption to enter Australia’s border which is currently closed to most of the international travellers and temporary visa holders as of the time of writing. However, visa holder approved to enter Australia will still be subjected to strict 14 days quarantine upon entry at the visa holder’s own expense. Quarantine charges vary across different Australian states. Individuals granted a visa under the Global Talent Visa Program do not require a travel exemption but quarantine requirements still apply.

Application for COVID-19 border travel exemption has to be made at least 2 weeks prior to planned travel into Australia. Ausdirect Migration can assist you with applying for travel exemption, so do not hesitate to contact us for assistance.

Full joint media release can be accessed here.