EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

Migration Regulations 1994

MIGRATION OCCUPATIONS IN DEMAND

(REGULATION 1.03)

1. This Instrument is made under regulation 1.03 of the Migration Regulations 1994 (‘the Regulations’), definition of ‘migration occupation in demand”.
2. Regulation 1.03 of the Regulations defines the term ‘migration occupation in demand” to mean a skilled occupation that is specified by an instrument in writing for this definition as a migration occupation in demand.
3. The purpose of the Instrument is to specify skilled occupations as migration occupations in demand for the purposes of the definition of ‘migration occupation in demand’ in regulation 1.03 of the Regulations.  The Instrument specifies occupations according to the Australian Standard Classification of Occupations (ASCO) classification system.  This Instrument adds twelve occupations to the MODL – one managerial occupation, seven professional occupations, one associate professional occupation and three trade occupations.  One professional occupation has been removed from the MODL.
4. The Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL) is a mechanism used to facilitate the entry of migrants under the General Skilled Migration (GSM) Program who have particular specialist skills and where there is an ongoing demand in the Australian labour market for these skills.  Applicants applying for a GSM points tested visa who have at least 12 months of recent work experience in an occupation on the MODL benefit as their application receives priority processing and they receive an additional 15 or 20 points (if they have a full time job offer) under the general points test.
5. The following document is incorporated in the Instrument by reference:

• Australian Standard Classification of Occupations (ASCO) Second Edition, 1997, available at http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS.

6.                  Consultation was undertaken with the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) to update the MODL.  Information provided by DEEWR is based on DEEWR’s skills-in-demand research.

7. This Instrument, IMMI 08/034, commences on the day after registration on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments.