Changes to the TSS Visa Program: Introducing the Skills in Demand Visa

We have been waiting for months for the new Skills in Demand Visa, and when the bill to introduce the visa was delayed in the Senate, we assumed it would not be introduced until at least February 2025, and even then with an impending election, it may not have been passed at all.

However, today the Department of Home Affairs (DoHA) has provided an update in the news section of its website announcing the introduction of the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL).

The new CSOL delivers on the Government’s promise to simplify and modernise the temporary skilled visa program by replacing outdated, complex, and rigid occupation lists. This consolidated list, informed by labour market analysis by Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) and extensive stakeholder consultation conducted by Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA), includes 456 occupations eligible for temporary skilled migration.

The CSOL will form the basis of the Core Skills stream for the newly introduced Skills in Demand visa, which is set to replace the Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) visa on 7 December 2024. The CSOL will also be applied to the Direct Entry stream of the permanent Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visa. Further information on other reforms being introduced on 7 December 2024, including the Skills in Demand visa and the National Innovation visa, will be available from the Department soon.

The Australian Government had recently advise the ANZSCO occupation list would be replaced by Occupation Standard Classification of Australia (OSCA), so its baffling why the new CSOL is listed in ANZSCO occupations.

Analysis:

I’ve done a deeper analysis of the new CSOL vs the Drafts announced, so please see my findings below.  

The Australian Government’s recently released Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) marks a transformative step in addressing Australia’s labour market needs. The CSOL serves as the foundation for the new Skills in Demand visa, replacing the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa. This consolidated list provides clarity and alignment between industry demands and skilled migration pathways.

Key Results of the Consultation Process

The consultation phase identified 307 occupations requiring stakeholder engagement to determine their inclusion or exclusion from the CSOL. The findings reveal:

• All occupations proposed to be on the final list (Confident ON) were successfully included in the CSOL.
• Of the 307 occupations under consultation, 267 were included (87%), and 40 were excluded (13%), underscoring the Government’s commitment to addressing skill shortages in critical industries.

Occupations Included in the New List

The CSOL captures a diverse range of occupations that reflect Australia’s current and emerging labour needs. Notable inclusions in the list are:

1. Automotive and Trades:
   • Vehicle Spray Painter: This critical trade role was retained due to significant shortages in the automotive repair industry.
   • Roof Tilers: Included to address growing demand in construction and residential development sectors.
2. Sales and Marketing:
   • Sales Representative (Industrial Products): Recognised for its role in driving B2B sales across sectors like manufacturing and logistics.
   • Marketing Specialist and Advertising Specialist: These roles reflect the importance of skilled professionals in promoting economic growth and brand development.
3. Human Resources and Recruitment:
   • Recruitment Consultant and HR Advisor: Included to support businesses in sourcing and retaining talent amid increasing competition for skilled workers.
4. Food and Hospitality:
   • Cook and Chef: Both roles were retained, reflecting Australia’s reliance on skilled workers in its tourism and hospitality industries.
5. Finance and Business:
   • Finance Manager, Accountants, and Auditors: These roles were prioritised to ensure Australia’s financial sector remains robust and capable of supporting economic recovery.
   • Project/Contracts Administrator: A vital inclusion to support infrastructure projects and the construction industry.
6. Retail and Regional Roles:
   • Retail Manager: Included to meet growing demands in regional retail businesses, where skills shortages are particularly acute.
   • Arborist: This role reflects the need for skilled workers in horticulture and urban planning, particularly as environmental considerations gain prominence.

Occupations Not Included in the Final List

While the consultation process emphasised inclusivity, some occupations did not make it to the final CSOL. Notable exclusions include:

• Jeweller: Despite its specialised nature, this role was excluded, likely due to limited demand in the domestic market.
• Restaurant Manager: Excluded in favour of prioritising other roles in the hospitality sector, reflecting a strategic realignment of skilled migration priorities.

Implications of the Findings

1. Inclusion of All Proposed Occupations:
   • The decision to retain all occupations initially proposed for inclusion (Confident ON) underscores the Government’s confidence in its labour market analysis and stakeholder consultations.
   • It reflects a focused strategy to address critical shortages without unnecessary exclusions.
2. Focus on Industry Demands:
   • By including roles like Vehicle Spray Painter, Chef, and Marketing Specialist, the CSOL addresses industries experiencing acute skills shortages.
   • The inclusion of regional and trade-specific roles such as Arborist and Roof Tilers highlights the Government’s commitment to supporting regional economic development.
3. Strategic Exclusions:
   • The exclusion of roles such as Jeweller and Restaurant Manager indicates a shift in priorities, likely influenced by labour market data showing limited demand or the potential to meet these needs through local training pathways.

Sector-Specific Impacts

1. Hospitality and Tourism:
   • With the inclusion of Cooks and Chefs, the CSOL addresses the chronic shortage of skilled workers in Australia’s hospitality sector, particularly in regional areas.
   • The exclusion of Restaurant Manager, however, suggests that this role is considered less critical or manageable through other strategies.
2. Automotive and Trades:
   • The inclusion of Vehicle Spray Painters and Roof Tilers highlights the Government’s focus on addressing skills shortages in trade roles critical to the economy.
3. Professional Services:
   • Occupations like Accountants, Auditors, and Finance Managers remain essential for maintaining Australia’s financial stability and economic growth.
4. Retail and Regional Development:
   • The inclusion of Retail Managers and roles like Arborists demonstrates a balanced approach to supporting regional industries and urban infrastructure projects.

Here are the 40 occupations that were under consultation but ultimately excluded from the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL):

• Mixed Cattle and Sheep Farmer
• Grain, Oilseed, Pulse or Pasture Grower / Field Crop Grower
• Broadacre Crop Growers nec
• Fruit Grower
• Nut Grower
• Production Nursery Grower
• Wine Grape Grower
• Horticultural Crop Growers nec
• Broadacre Crop and Livestock Farmer
• Mixed Production Farmers nec
• Film and Video Editor
• Market Research Analyst
• Digital Marketing Analyst
• Industrial Designer
• Conservation Officer
• Park Ranger
• Biotechnologist
• User Experience Designer (ICT)
• Plumbing Inspector
• Safety Inspector
• Zookeeper
• Track Rider
• Sports Turf Manager
• Sports Turf Trades Worker
• Gardener (General)
• Aquaculture Supervisor
• Fishing Leading Hand
• Forestry Operations Supervisor
• Horticultural Supervisor or Specialist
• Senior Broadacre Crop and Livestock Farm Worker
• Senior Broadacre Crop Farm Worker
• Vineyard Supervisor
• Senior Aquaculture, Crop and Forestry Workers nec
• Senior Beef Cattle Station Worker
• Senior Cattle and Sheep Farm Worker
• Senior Dairy Cattle Farm Worker
• Senior Piggery Stockperson
• Senior Sheep Farm Worker
• Senior Livestock Farm Workers nec
• Horse Riding Coach or Instructor

There were 214 occupations earmarked for exclusion. Here are the 6 occupations that were initially earmarked for exclusion but were ultimately included in the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL):

• ICT Project Manager
• Private Tutors and Teachers nec
• Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner
• ICT Customer Support Officer
• ICT Support Technicians nec
• Community Worker

Conclusion

The final CSOL reflects a thoughtful balance between stakeholder feedback and labour market analysis. The inclusion of all proposed occupations (Confident ON) reaffirms the Government’s commitment to addressing skills shortages, while the careful selection of consultation occupations ensures alignment with national priorities. The CSOL will serve as a cornerstone for Australia’s skilled migration pathways, providing employers with greater clarity and prospective migrants with expanded opportunities. As the Skills in Demand visa and other reforms take effect on 7 December 2024, businesses and individuals are encouraged to review the CSOL and consult migration professionals to navigate the new landscape effectively.

Interestingly, the Federal Government announced the ANZSCO list was to be replaced by the Occupation Standard Classification of Australia (OSCA) on 6^th December, yet, the updated CSOL is still listed in ANZSCO occupations, so further clarification is required.

Here is the full list of 456 occupations included in the final Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), or download from the Department core-sol.pdf

• Chief Executive or Managing Director
• Corporate General Manager
• Aquaculture Farmer
• Apiarist
• Dairy Cattle Farmer
• Goat Farmer
• Pig Farmer
• Poultry Farmer
• Flower Grower
• Sales and Marketing Manager
• Advertising Manager
• Corporate Services Manager
• Finance Manager
• Human Resource Manager
• Policy and Planning Manager
• Research and Development Manager
• Construction Project Manager
• Project Builder
• Engineering Manager
• Production Manager (Forestry)
• Production Manager (Manufacturing)
• Supply and Distribution Manager
• Procurement Manager
• Medical Administrator \ Medical Superintendent
• Nursing Clinical Director
• Primary Health Organisation Manager
• School Principal
• Faculty Head
• Education Managers nec
• Chief Information Officer
• ICT Project Manager
• ICT Managers nec
• Arts Administrator or Manager
• Environmental Manager
• Laboratory Manager
• Quality Assurance Manager
• Regulatory Affairs Manager
• Hotel or Motel Manager
• Licensed Club Manager
• Accommodation and Hospitality Managers nec
• Retail Manager (General)
• Travel Agency Manager
• Fleet Manager
• Boarding Kennel or Cattery Operator
• Cinema or Theatre Manager
• Equipment Hire Manager
• Hospitality, Retail and Service Managers nec
• Music Director
• Artistic Director
• Program Director (Television or Radio)
• Stage Manager
• Technical Director
• Video Producer
• Print Journalist
• Radio Journalist
• Technical Writer
• Television Journalist
• Journalists and Other Writers nec
• Accountant (General)
• Management Accountant
• Taxation Accountant
• Company Secretary
• External Auditor
• Internal Auditor
• Finance Broker
• Insurance Broker
• Financial Investment Adviser
• Human Resource Adviser
• Recruitment Consultant
• Workplace Relations Adviser
• Actuary
• Mathematician
• Data Analyst
• Data Scientist
• Statistician
• Land Economist
• Valuer
• Organisation and Methods Analyst
• Management Consultant
• Supply Chain Analyst
• Patents Examiner
• Information and Organisation Professionals nec
• Advertising Specialist
• Marketing Specialist
• Content Creator (Marketing)
• ICT Account Manager
• ICT Business Development Manager
• ICT Sales Representative
• Public Relations Professional
• Sales Representative (Industrial Products)
• Sales Representative (Medical and Pharmaceutical Products)
• Technical Sales Representatives nec
• Aeroplane Pilot
• Flying Instructor
• Helicopter Pilot
• Air Transport Professionals nec
• Ship’s Engineer
• Architect
• Landscape Architect
• Surveyor
• Cartographer
• Other Spatial Scientist
• Jewellery Designer
• Illustrator
• Multimedia Designer
• Web Designer
• Interior Designer
• Urban and Regional Planner
• Chemical Engineer
• Materials Engineer
• Civil Engineer
• Geotechnical Engineer
• Quantity Surveyor
• Structural Engineer
• Transport Engineer
• Electrical Engineer
• Electronics Engineer
• Industrial Engineer
• Mechanical Engineer
• Production or Plant Engineer
• Mining Engineer (excluding Petroleum)
• Petroleum Engineer
• Aeronautical Engineer
• Agricultural Engineer
• Biomedical Engineer
• Engineering Technologist
• Environmental Engineer
• Naval Architect \ Marine Designer
• Engineering Professionals nec
• Agricultural Consultant
• Agricultural Research Scientist
• Agronomist
• Aquaculture or Fisheries Scientist
• Chemist
• Food Technologist
• Wine Maker
• Environmental Consultant
• Environmental Scientists nec
• Geologist
• Geophysicist
• Hydrogeologist
• Life Scientist (General)
• Biochemist
• Botanist
• Marine Biologist
• Entomologist
• Zoologist
• Life Scientists nec
• Respiratory Scientist
• Veterinarian
• Conservator
• Metallurgist
• Meteorologist
• Physicist
• Natural and Physical Science Professionals nec
• Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teacher
• Primary School Teacher
• Middle School Teacher \ Intermediate School Teacher
• Secondary School Teacher
• Special Needs Teacher
• Teacher of the Hearing Impaired
• Teacher of the Sight Impaired
• Special Education Teachers nec
• University Lecturer
• Vocational Education Teacher \ Polytechnic Teacher
• Education Reviewer
• Music Teacher (Private Tuition)
• Private Tutors and Teachers nec
• Dietitian
• Medical Diagnostic Radiographer
• Medical Radiation Therapist
• Nuclear Medicine Technologist
• Sonographer
• Occupational Health and Safety Adviser
• Optometrist
• Orthoptist
• Hospital Pharmacist
• Industrial Pharmacist
• Retail Pharmacist
• Orthotist or Prosthetist
• Health Diagnostic and Promotion Professionals nec
• Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner
• Complementary Health Therapists nec
• Dental Specialist
• Dentist
• Occupational Therapist
• Physiotherapist
• Podiatrist
• Audiologist
• Speech Pathologist \ Speech Language Therapist
• General Practitioner
• Resident Medical Officer
• Anaesthetist
• Specialist Physician (General Medicine)
• Cardiologist
• Clinical Haematologist
• Medical Oncologist
• Endocrinologist
• Gastroenterologist
• Intensive Care Specialist
• Neurologist
• Paediatrician
• Renal Medicine Specialist
• Rheumatologist
• Thoracic Medicine Specialist
• Specialist Physicians nec
• Psychiatrist
• Surgeon (General)
• Cardiothoracic Surgeon
• Neurosurgeon
• Orthopaedic Surgeon
• Otorhinolaryngologist
• Paediatric Surgeon
• Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon
• Urologist
• Vascular Surgeon
• Dermatologist
• Emergency Medicine Specialist
• Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
• Ophthalmologist
• Pathologist
• Diagnostic and Interventional Radiologist
• Radiation Oncologist
• Medical Practitioners nec
• Midwife
• Nurse Educator
• Nurse Researcher
• Nurse Practitioner
• Registered Nurse (Aged Care)
• Registered Nurse (Child and Family Health)
• Registered Nurse (Community Health)
• Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency)
• Registered Nurse (Developmental Disability)
• Registered Nurse (Disability and Rehabilitation)
• Registered Nurse (Medical)
• Registered Nurse (Medical Practice)
• Registered Nurse (Mental Health)
• Registered Nurse (Perioperative)
• Registered Nurse (Surgical)
• Registered Nurse (Paediatrics)
• Registered Nurses nec
• ICT Business Analyst
• Systems Analyst
• Multimedia Specialist
• Web Developer
• Analyst Programmer
• Developer Programmer
• Software Engineer
• Software Tester
• Cyber Security Engineer
• DevOps Engineer
• Penetration Tester
• Software and Applications Programmers nec
• Database Administrator
• Systems Administrator
• Cyber Governance Risk and Compliance Specialist
• Cyber Security Advice and Assessment Specialist
• Cyber Security Analyst
• Cyber Security Architect
• Cyber Security Operations Coordinator
• Computer Network and Systems Engineer
• Network Administrator
• Network Analyst
• ICT Quality Assurance Engineer
• ICT Support and Test Engineers nec
• Telecommunications Network Engineer
• Barrister
• Intellectual Property Lawyer
• Judicial and Other Legal Professionals nec
• Solicitor
• Drug and Alcohol Counsellor
• Rehabilitation Counsellor
• Student Counsellor
• Clinical Psychologist
• Educational Psychologist
• Organisational Psychologist
• Psychotherapists
• Psychologists nec
• Social Worker
• Residential Care Officer
• Youth Worker
• Child Care Worker
• Out of School Hours Care Worker
• Hotel Service Manager
• Beauty Therapist
• Tour Guide
• Travel Consultant
• Flight Attendant
• Diving Instructor (Open Water)
• Sports Development Officer
• Contract Administrator
• Program or Project Administrator
• Office Manager
• Legal Secretary
• Conveyancer
• Clerk of Court
• Clinical Coder
• Insurance Loss Adjuster
• Retail Buyer
• Wool Buyer
• Personal Care Assistant
• Dental Hygienist
• Dental Prosthetist
• Dental Technician
• Dental Therapist
• Diversional Therapist
• Enrolled Nurse
• Community Worker
• Arborist
• Gardener (General)
• Landscape Gardener
• Nurseryperson
• Tree Worker
• Irrigation Technician
• Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Avionics)
• Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Mechanical)
• Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Structures)
• Motor Mechanic (General)
• Diesel Motor Mechanic
• Motorcycle Mechanic
• Small Engine Mechanic
• Automotive Electrician
• Blacksmith
• Metal Fabricator
• Sheetmetal Worker
• Pressure Welder
• Welder (First Class)
• Fitter (General)
• Fitter and Turner
• Metal Machinist (First Class)
• Engineering Patternmaker
• Toolmaker
• Panelbeater
• Vehicle Body Builder
• Vehicle Trimmer
• Vehicle Painter
• Bricklayer
• Carpenter and Joiner
• Carpenter
• Joiner
• Floor Finisher
• Painter
• Plasterer (Wall and Ceiling)
• Renderer (Solid Plaster)
• Roof Tiler
• Wall and Floor Tiler
• Plumber (General)
• Airconditioning and Mechanical Services Plumber
• Drainer
• Gasfitter
• Roof Plumber
• Fire Protection Plumber
• Electrician (General)
• Electrician (Special Class)
• Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic
• Electronics Equipment Trades Worker
• Electronic Instrument Trades Worker (General)
• Electronic Instrument Trades Worker (Special Class)
• Communications Operator
• Telecommunications Linesworker \ Telecommunications Line Mechanic
• Telecommunications Technician
• Telecommunications Technical Officer or Technologist
• Baker
• Pastrycook
• Butcher or Smallgoods Maker
• Chef
• Cook
• Dairy Product Maker
• Food and Beverage Attendants nec
• Meat Process Worker
• Seafood Process Worker
• Textile, Clothing and Footwear Mechanic
• Upholsterer
• Cabinet Maker
• Jeweller
• Boat Builder and Repairer
• Shipwright
• Diver
• Signwriter
• Plastics Technician
• Musical Instrument Maker or Repairer
• Sound Technician
• Fire Protection Equipment Technician
• Technicians and Trades Workers nec

For more details, please contact the author, Fred Molloy, Registered Migration Agent, MARN 0853698

Date posted: Dec. 4,2024