Migration Regulations 1994 - Specification of Occupations, a Person or Body, a Country or Countries - IMMI 14/048

Administered by Department of Home Affairs

Legislation au F2014L00749 Not in force Legislative Instrument

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EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

Migration Regulations 1994

 

SPECIFICATION OF OCCUPATIONS, A PERSON OR BODY, A COUNTRY OR COUNTRIES

 

(Regulation 1.03, subregulations 1.15I(1) and 2.26B(1), paragraphs 2.72(10)(aa) and 2.72I(5)(ba), sub-subparagraph 5.19(4)(h)(i)(A), Item 4(a) of the table in subitem 1137(4), Item 4(a) of the table in subitem 1138(4) and Item 4(a) of the table in subitem 1230(4), paragraph  1229(3)(k) and paragraph 186.234(2)(a))

 

1. This instrument is made under regulation 1.03, subregulations 1.15I(1) and 2.26B(1), paragraphs 2.72(10)(aa) and 2.72I(5)(ba), sub-subparagraph 5.19(4)(h)(i)(A), Item 4(a) of the table in subitem 1137(4), Item 4(a) of the table in subitem 1138(4) and Item 4(a) of the table in subitem 1230(4), paragraph 1229(3)(k) and paragraph 186.234(2)(a) of the Migration Regulations 1994 (‘the Regulations’).

2.                   This instrument operates to specify skilled occupations, the relevant ANZSCO code for an occupation, the relevant assessing authority for that occupation, and country (where an application for a skills assessment is made by a resident of that country).

3.                   Schedule 1 to this instrument, the Skilled Occupation List (SOL), is used to determine eligible occupations for independent or relative sponsored skilled migration purposes.

4.                   Schedule 1 and Schedule 2 to this instrument form the Consolidated Skilled Occupation List (CSOL).  It applies to both State/Territory nominated Points Tested visas, the Direct Entry stream of the Employer Nomination Scheme, the Temporary Work (Skilled) visa, the Occupational Trainee stream of the Training and Research visa and the Occupational Trainee visa.

5.                   This instrument is updated to:

  • remove 3 occupations, including the details of the occupations’ ANZSCO Code, Country and Assessing Authority, from Schedule 2 and include them in Schedule 1.  Those occupations are Chef, Bricklayer and Floor and Wall Tiler.
  • replace AMSA with VETASSESS for the occupation of Marine Transport Professional in Schedule 2.
  • replace VETASSESS with ANMAC for the occupation of Nurse Manager in Schedule 2.
  • replace VETASSESS with ANMAC for the occupation of Nurse Educator in Schedule 2.
  • replace VETASSESS with ANMAC for the occupation of Nurse Researcher in Schedule 2.
  • change the title of ‘Ship’s Surveyor’ to ‘Marine Surveyor’ in Schedule 2.

6.                   Paragraph 1 of the instrument revokes the previous instrument (IMMI 13/066).

7.                   Paragraph 2 of the instrument relates to standard business sponsors who nominate an occupation in relation to a holder of, or an applicant or a proposed applicant for, a Subclass 457 Temporary Work (Skilled) visa on or after 1 July 2010.  In accordance with the Regulations, the nomination must be made in relation to an occupation and its corresponding 6-digit code specified by the Minister in an instrument in writing.  For the purpose of these nominations, Columns A and B in schedule 1 and Columns A and B in schedule 2 of the instrument are specified.

8.                   Paragraph 3 of the instrument relates to applicants who are issued an invitation to make an application for a Subclass 189 visa.  It also relates to applicants who are not nominated by a State or Territory government agency and who are issued an invitation on or after 1 July 2014 to make an application for a Subclass 489 visa.  In accordance with the Regulations, these applicants will be required to nominate a specified skilled occupation and have their skills assessed by a specified relevant assessing authority.  For these applicants, the occupations, assessing authorities and counties listed in Columns A, C and D of schedule 1 of this instrument are specified.

9.                   Paragraph 4 of the instrument relates to applicants who apply on or after 1 July 2014 for a Subclass 485 visa.  In accordance with the Regulations, these applicants will be required to nominate a specified skilled occupation and have their skills assessed by a specified relevant assessing authority.  For these applicants, the occupations, assessing authorities and counties listed in Columns A, C and D of schedule 1 of this instrument are specified.

10.              Paragraph 5 of the instrument relates to applicants who are nominated by a State or Territory government agency or the spouse or de facto partner of a person who is nominated by a State or Territory government agency, who is issued an invitation on or after 1 July 2014 to make an application for a Subclass 190 or 489 visa.  In accordance with the Regulations, these applicants will be required to nominate a specified skilled occupation and have their skills assessed by a specified relevant assessing authority.  For these applicants, the occupations, assessing authorities and countries listed in Columns A, C and D of schedule 1 and schedule 2 of this Instrument are specified. 

11.              Paragraph 6 of the instrument relates to nominations for the Direct Entry stream in Subclass 186 Employee Nomination Scheme made on or after 1 July 2014.  In accordance with the Regulations, the Minister must approve a nomination if the tasks to be performed in the position correspond to the tasks of a specified occupation, in addition to other requirements.  For the purposes of these nominations, the skilled occupations listed in Column A of schedule 1 and schedule 2 of this instrument are specified.

12.              Paragraph 7 of the instrument relates to applicants who apply for the Direct Entry stream in the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme on or after 1 July 2014.  In accordance with the Regulations, these applicants will be required to have their skills assessed as suitable by a specified assessing authority for the occupation.  For these applicants, the assessing authorities listed in Column D of schedule 1 and schedule 2 to this instrument are specified.

13.              Paragraph 8 of the instrument relates to occupational trainee sponsors or training and research sponsors who make nominations on or after 1 July 2014 in relation to the Occupational Trainee stream of the Subclass 402 Training and Research visa or the Subclass 442 Occupational Trainee visa.  In accordance with the Regulations, the nomination must be made in relation to an occupation and its corresponding 6-digit code specified by the Minister in an instrument in writing.  For the purpose of these nominations, Columns A and B in Schedule 1 and Columns A and B in schedule 2 of this instrument are specified, where applicable to the applicant.

14.              Paragraph 9 of the instrument provides that the definition of ANZSCO is the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and current as at 1 July 2014.

15.              Pursuant to subsection 18(1) of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003 consultation was not necessary.  The instrument is of a minor or machinery nature and does not substantially alter existing arrangements.

16.              The Office of Best Practice Regulation has advised that a Regulatory Impact Statement is not required (OBPR Reference 2014/16931).

17.              Under section 42 of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003 the instrument is subject to disallowance and therefore a Human Rights Statement of Compatibility has been provided (attached).

18.              The instrument, number IMMI 14/048 commences on 1 July 2014.


Statement of Compatibility with Human Rights

Prepared in accordance with Part 3 of the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011

 

Specification of Occupations, a Person or Body, a Country or Countries Legislative Instrument (IMMI 14/048)

 

This Legislative Instrument is compatible with the human rights and freedoms recognised or declared in the international instruments listed in section 3 of the
Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011.

 

Overview of the Specification of Occupations, a Person or Body, a Country or Countries Legislative Instrument

 

This instrument (IMMI 14/048) specifies skilled occupations and assessing authorities that are relevant to the assessment of applications for skilled migration under the Migration Regulations 1994 (Migration Regulations). 

Skilled occupations are specified in the instrument by reference to the name of each occupation and the corresponding Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) code, which is used by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection to designate skilled occupations for migration purposes.  Assessing authorities are independent expert bodies who certify that the applicant’s educational qualifications and, in some cases, skilled work experience in their occupation, is comparable to that necessary to undertake the same position in Australia. 

In specifying skilled occupations, the instrument includes the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) which sets out eligible occupations, ANZSCO codes and assessing authorities for independent or family sponsored skilled visas.  Occupations on the SOL are those identified by the Australian Workforce and Productivity Agency (AWPA) as being in shortage in the Australian labour market in the medium to long term.

The instrument also specifies the Consolidated Sponsored Occupation List (CSOL) which similarly provides eligible occupations, ANZSCO codes and assessing authorities for applicants who apply for:

  • State/Territory nominated visas;
  • the Temporary Work (Skilled) visa;
  • the Direct Entry stream of the Employer Nomination Scheme;
  • the Occupational Trainee stream of the Training and Research visa; and
  • the Occupational Trainee visa. 

 

This instrument will come into effect on 1 July 2014.

Human rights implications

As the instrument merely specifies the skilled occupations, ANZSCO codes and assessing authorities described above, specification of which is authorised under the Migration Regulations, it does not engage any of the applicable rights and freedoms contained in the seven core international human rights treaties.

 

Conclusion

The instrument is compatible with human rights as it does not raise any human rights issues.

 

Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash, Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection

Overview

The Migration Regulations 1994, as amended by the F2014L00749 (Explanatory Statement), address the need to specify skilled occupations, their ANZSCO codes, and relevant assessing authorities to streamline the assessment of skilled migration applications. This legislative instrument was enacted by the Australian Government and is designed to clarify and update the list of eligible occupations for various skilled migration visas, including those for independent, family-sponsored, and employer-sponsored migration. The primary policy objective is to ensure that the occupations listed meet the skill requirements necessary for the Australian labour market, as identified by the Australian Workforce and Productivity Agency. The instrument also aims to ensure consistency and transparency in the assessment process by clearly specifying the occupations and authorities involved. The instrument, which took effect on 1 July 2014, was developed under the authority of the Migration Act 1958 and does not substantially alter existing arrangements, thereby maintaining the integrity and efficacy of the migration assessment process.

Scope and Application

The Migration Regulations 1994 (Regulations) are specified in the instrument, IMMI 14/048, to outline the occupations, assessing authorities, and countries relevant to the evaluation of skilled migration applications. This instrument details the skilled occupations and their corresponding ANZSCO codes, as well as the assessing authorities responsible for verifying applicants' qualifications and, in some cases, their work experience. This instrument is applicable to applicants for various skilled migration visas, including those applying for State/Territory nominated Points Tested visas, the Direct Entry stream of the Employer Nomination Scheme, the Temporary Work (Skilled) visa, the Occupational Trainee stream of the Training and Research visa, and the Occupational Trainee visa. The instrument is designed to specify eligible occupations for independent or relative sponsored skilled migration purposes through the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) and the Consolidated Sponsored Occupation List (CSOL). The instrument has been updated to remove certain occupations from the CSOL and include them in the SOL, to replace certain assessing authorities, and to rename one occupation. The instrument also includes provisions for the revocation of the previous instrument and specifies the dates from which certain provisions apply. The instrument does not substantially alter existing arrangements and is compatible with human rights as it does not raise any human rights issues. It came into effect on 1 July 2014.

Key Provisions

The Migration Regulations 1994, under regulation 1.03, specify skilled occupations, ANZSCO codes, and assessing authorities for various skilled migration pathways. This legislative instrument, IMMI 14/048, updates the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) and the Consolidated Skilled Occupation List (CSOL). The SOL determines eligible occupations for independent or family sponsored skilled visas, while the CSOL applies to State/Territory nominated visas, the Direct Entry stream of the Employer Nomination Scheme, the Temporary Work (Skilled) visa, the Occupational Trainee stream of the Training and Research visa, and the Occupational Trainee visa. The updates include removing certain occupations from the CSOL and placing them in the SOL, changing assessing authorities for specific occupations, and renaming certain occupations. The changes apply to applicants who apply on or after 1 July 2014. The Act imposes obligations on applicants to nominate a specified skilled occupation and have their skills assessed by the relevant assessing authority. For instance, applicants for a Subclass 189 visa must nominate a specified skilled occupation and have their skills assessed by a specified assessing authority, as outlined in the instrument. Similarly, applicants for a Subclass 485 visa must also nominate a specified skilled occupation and have their skills assessed by a specified assessing authority. These obligations ensure that applicants meet the required standards for skilled migration. Breach of the obligations imposed by the Act may result in the rejection of a visa application or other legal consequences. For example, failure to nominate a specified skilled occupation or have skills assessed by the relevant authority may result in the rejection of a visa application. Additionally, providing false or misleading information in a visa application may result in criminal charges, fines, or imprisonment. The specific penalties for breach depend on the nature and severity of the offence.

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.