​​​​The Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL) identifies 18 occupations which fill critical skills needs to support Australia’s economic recovery from COVID-19. The list is based on expert advice from the National Skills Commission and consultation with Commonwealth departments.

Employer sponsored nomination and visa applications with an occupation on the PMSOL will be given priority processing.  All other skilled occupation lists will remain active, but the PMSOL occupations will take priority.

The list is temporary and priority occupations may change as Australia recovers from the pandemic. The Government and the National Skills Commission will continue to monitor the impact of COVID-19 on the Australian labour market and assess Australia’s skills needs as they evolve and new sources of data emerge.

This page will be updated with the most up-to-date list when priority occupations change.

Changes to the PMSOL

27 November 2020 – Based on advice from the National Skills Commission, the occupation of Social Worker (272511) has been added to the PMSOL

2 September 2020 – PMSOL of 17 occupations announced. See, Joint media release with the Hon. Michaelia Cash – Supporting Australian business to fill critical skills needs

The Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List

The 18 occupations (ANZSCO code) are:

• Chief Executive or Managing Director (111111)
• Construction Project Manager (133111)
• Mechanical Engineer (233512)
• General Practitioner (253111)
• Resident Medical Officer (253112)
• Psychiatrist (253411)
• Medical Practitioner nec (253999)
• Midwife (254111)
• Registered Nurse (Aged Care) (254412)
• Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency) (254415)
• Registered Nurse (Medical) (254418)
• Registered Nurse (Mental Health) (254422)
• Registered Nurse (Perioperative) (254423)
• Registered Nurses nec (254499)
• Developer Programmer (261312)
• Software Engineer (261313)
• Social Worker (272511)
• Maintenance Planner (312911)

Travel exemptions

While Australia’s border restrictions remain in place, temporary visa holders must obtain a travel exemption before travelling to Australia. For more information about the travel exemption process see: Critical skills and sectors

Visa subclasses

Priority processing of nomination and visa applications for PMSOL occupa​​tions applies to these employer sponsored visa subclasses:

• Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa (subclass 482)​
• Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494)
• Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa (subclass 186)​
• Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) visa (subclass 187)

Information courtesy of the Australian Government: Department of Home Affairs – Immigration & Citizenship