Occupations in Demand Review

The government is embarking on a review of the Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL). Potential visa applicants who have an occupation on this list have been able to claim additional points on the points test. The discussion paper which has been released for public comment notes that

"MODL was originally introduced to serve the dual purpose of awarding additional points to applicants skilled in occupations in shortage in line with the GSM [General Skilled Migration] aims of targeting the program to young, skilled migrants who would contribute to the needs of Australian employers and make a sound economic contribution and as a tool to prioritise applications within the General Skilled Migration program. However, as the MODL has grown, so to has the percentage of applicants nominating a MODL occupation, rendering it relatively ineffective as a prioritising tool."

There are some interesting statistics in the discussion paper including that over 60% of general skilled migration applications now nominate a MODL occupation and that in the 3 years to 2008, 28 800 accountants, 6500 cooks, 2800 hairdressers, 800 bricklayers, 600 plumbers and 300 carpenters obtained permanent residence. One of the things which occurs to me is that over the years the points test has become increasingly difficult to meet and often the only applicants who can make the pass mark are those with an MODL occupation. Sounds like a review (or either the MODL or the points test) is overdue.

The discussion paper is open to public comment and can be downloaded from the DIAC website.

Photo used under creative commons licence.