The long awaited Core Skills Occupation List has been released. It features 456 different occupations. Eligible employers can sponsor skilled workers on an occupation from this list. The CSOL affects 482 visa sponsorship and 186 visa sponsorship.
What is the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL)?
The Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) is a critical component of Australia’s skilled migration program. It identifies occupations that are in demand across the country and are eligible for employer-sponsored visas, such as the 482 visa and the Employer Nominated Scheme 186 visa. Employers needing to sponsor overseas workers should ensure the occupation they want to fill is included on this list or a related state/territory list.
Why does the CSOL matter for Sponsoring Employers?
Australia’s skilled migration system recognizes some Australian businesses face skills shortages. The Core Skills Occupation List aims to address the occupations experiencing severe skills shortages. The CSOL helps employers understand which roles qualify for migration support, enabling them to address specific skills shortages.
Eligibility Check: Employers must confirm that the role they want to fill by sponsoring a filled worker is listed on the CSOL. Without this, they cannot proceed with a skilled visa nomination.
Application Process: Sponsoring employers should check the job description of their vacant position aligns with the CSOL occupation description
Appropriate Occupation: Selecting an occupation from the CSOL which matches the skills and experience of a sponsored employee is necessary to meet visa criteria and reduces the risk of delays or refusals.
How Does the CSOL Affect Skilled Visas?
The CSOL will be used in two main visa streams:
Core Skills Stream of the subclass 482 Skills in Demand Visa: This new visa will replace the Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) visa on December 7, 2024. It’s designed to bring in workers who have the specific skills that Australia needs right now.
This is designed for businesses looking to hire skilled employees in various fields essential to business operations.
Direct Entry Stream of the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) Visa: This is an employer sponsored permanent residency visa for skilled workers. If an employer in Australia wants to hire someone from another country for a job on the CSOL, they can nominate them for this visa.
Role of the CSOL
The CSOL was created with input from Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA), who consulted with experts and looked at the job market to see which skills are most needed in Australia. This means that the jobs on the CSOL are those that are in high demand and crucial for the country’s growth.
What’s Next?
While the CSOL is a big part of the changes coming, more changes are scheduled later this week. On December 7, 2024, we’ll also see the launch of the Skills in Demand visa and the National Innovation visa.
Download the new CSOL here.
Sources: Department of Home Affairs
Author: Greg Nicolson (MARN 0959139) is a registered migration agent and MD of the Australian Business Migration Group. He has been practicing migration for over 15 years.
If you have a query about sponsoring an employee, call 1300 794 680.
