Australia has announced some major changes to its immigration system, including eligible occupations for permanent and temporary immigration.

The changes to the occupation lists have been made following consultation with the Department of Jobs and Small Business based on the labour market advice provided by the department.

In the latest update, 36 new occupations have been added to the Medium and Long-Term Skill List, including professional footballers and tennis coaches.

Also read Visa in five days: Australian Government scheme to fast track skilled visas

The Department of Home Affairs says the update to the skilled occupations lists ensures that the entry of skilled foreign workers to Australia remains carefully calibrated to Australia’s needs.

“The Government continues to focus the Migration Program on addressing skills gaps in the economy and these initiatives demonstrate that commitment,” Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, David Coleman said.

Visa rules relaxed to help farmers and sports bodies

The latest update to the Skilled Occupation Lists includes adding 18 new occupations to the Regional Occupation List.

Also read English, skill requirements relaxed for Australian permanent residency in these regions

The occupations include livestock, beef, dairy, sheep, aquaculture and crop farmers, among other agricultural roles.

The category of dentist and anaesthetist have also been added to the regional list to meet skill shortages.

Mr Coleman says farmers battling with drought and regional communities will benefit from the changes.

“We want Australians filling Australian jobs but when this isn’t possible action is needed to ensure farmers can continue to operate,” he said.

Also read Australia announces two new visa agreements to sponsor foreign workers

The Regional Occupation List allows employers to sponsor overseas workers to live and work in Australia for up to four years for the sponsoring employer in a specified region. The government introduced a pathway to permanent residency for the sponsored workers in designated areas, besides concessions in English language, salary and work experience requirements.

The new changes will apply to new applications and will not affect existing nominations or applications.

Changes to assessing authorities for some occupations have also been made.

You can see more on the changes to the Skilled Occupation Lists here.

New occupations added to MLTSSL

Arts Administrator or Manager

Dancer or Choreographer

Music Director

Artistic Director

Tennis Coach

Footballer

Environmental Manager

Musician (Instrumental)

Statistician

Economist

Mining Engineer (excluding Petroleum

Petroleum Engineer

Engineering Professionals nec

Chemist

Food Technologist

Environmental Consultant

Environmental Research Scientist

Environmental Scientists nec

Geophysicist

Hydrogeologist

Life Scientist (General

Biochemist

Biotechnologist

Botanist

Marine Biologist

Microbiologist

Zoologist

Life Scientists nec

Conservator

Metallurgist

Meteorologist

Natural and Physical Science Professionals nec

University Lecturer

Multimedia Specialist

Software and Applications Programmers nec

Horse Trainer

18 occupations added to the Regional Occupation List

Aquaculture Farmer

Cotton Grower

Fruit or Nut Grower

Grain, Oilseed or Pasture Grower (Aus)/field crop grower (NZ)

Mixed Crop Farmer

Sugar Cane Grower

Crop Farmers nec

Beef Cattle Farmer

Dairy Cattle Farmer

Mixed Livestock Farmer

Deer Farmer

Goat Farmer

Pig Farmer

Sheep Farmer

Livestock Farmers nec

Mixed Crop and Livestock Farmer

Dentist

Anaesthetist

27 occupations have been removed from the Short Term Skill Shortage List

Visual Arts and Crafts Professionals

Textile, Clothing and Footwear Mechanic

Watch and Clock Maker and Repairer

Chemical Plant Operator

Library Technician

Arts Administrator or Manager

Dancer or Choreographer

Music Director

Artistic Director

Footballer

Aquaculture Farmer

Cotton Grower

Authorised Version Explanatory Statement registered

Fruit or Nut Grower

Grain, Oilseed or Pasture Grower

Mixed Crop Farmer

Sugar Cane Grower

Crop Farmers nec

Beef Cattle Farmer

Dairy Cattle Farmer

Mixed Livestock

Pig Farmer

Sheep Farmer

Livestock Farmers nec

Mixed Crop and Livestock Farmer

Dentist

Anaesthetist

Tennis Coach

Australia’s Regional Occupation List has been expanded with 18 new occupations added to it.

Aquaculture Farmer

Cotton Grower

Fruit or Nut Grower

Grain, Oilseed or Pasture Grower (Aus)/field crop grower

Mixed Crop Farmer

Sugar Cane Grower

Crop Farmers nec

Beef Cattle Farmer

Dairy Cattle Farmer

Mixed Livestock Farmer

Deer Farmer

Goat Farmer

Pig Farmer

Sheep Farmer

Livestock Farmers nec

Mixed Crop and Livestock Farmer

Dentist

Anaesthetist

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