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As part of its ongoing commitment to targeting the Migration Program to the skill needs of Australian industry, the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, Senator Amanda Vanstone, and the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Kevin Andrews, today announced further changes to the Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL).
The MODL has been extended to include 16 additional trade occupations which have been identified by DEWR as being in national demand and with good employment prospects. This will result in a MODL that comprises 34 professional occupations, five ICT specialisations and 42 trade occupations, Mr Andrews said.
The occupations added to General Skilled Migration Program, are Boat builder and repairer, Carpenter, Drainer, Flat glass tradesperson, Floor finisher, Gasfitter, Joiner, Lift mechanic, Mechanical services and air conditioning plumber, Pressure welder, Roof plumber, Roof Slater and tiller, Stonemason, Vehicle body maker and Wall and floor tiller.
The MODL mechanism is used to facilitate the entry of immigrants with specialist skills who wish to apply for permanent residence. Only occupations where a significant shortage of skilled labour exists in the Australian labour market are included in the MODL.
Applicants under the General Skilled Migration Program for a permanent points tested visa who nominate an occupation on the MODL are eligible for the award of an additional 15 or 20 points under the general points test.
