The occupation list is reviewed regularly. Victorian Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions maintains that it is "to ensure the occupations and skill requirements for each occupation are aligned to Victoria’s current and future labour market needs."
The current list, released in July last year is under review now. The department has released a draft Victorian visa nomination occupation list and invites ideas and inputs from interested parties.
The has 80 occupations, 13 more than the . However, only 31 occupations from the previous lists are included in the draft lists, leaving many popular occupations out.
Melbourne based registered migration agent Chaman Preet of Migration and Education Experts, says many popular occupations have been dropped out of the draft list.
"Early Childhood Teacher is not there. Occupations like Secondary School Teacher, Midwife, Nurse Practitioner, Airconditioning and Mechanical Services Plumber are also very popular among visa hopefuls. The draft list does not have these occupations," he said.
Many occupations from the health sector such as Dietition and Podiatrist have also been dropped along with Gasfitter, Roof Plumber, Metal Fabricator, Sheetmetal Trades Worker, Welder, Metal Mechanics Airconditioning, Telecommunications Linesworker, Electronic Equipment Trades Worker etc.
"However, new additions in the list might bring some good news for the visa hopefuls. There is no dearth of talents in occupations like Sales and Marketing Manager, Advertising Manager, Finance Manager, Cafe or Restaurant Manager, Public Relations Professional and Mechanical Engineer,” says Chaman Preet.
Popular occupations like Accountant, Taxation Accountant, Company Secretary, Electronics Engineer, Mechanical Engineer and Solicitor are also included in the draft list.
Melbourne based Rohit Mohan of Lakshya Migration says the draft list is a mixed bag of winners and losers.
He says, “Akin to every new state nomination list, Victorian state nomination seems to be a mixed bag of winners and losers. The biggest winners are Accountants as students pursuing accounting were left in the lurch as the points required for invite increased to as high as 85. It is a big relief for Cooks and Chefs as they continue to be on the list. Also, Cafe & Restaurant Manager and Sales and Marketing Manager have been included as the new occupations.”
Mr Mohan is of the view that the final list might have some surprising entries after the feedback.
“Motor Mechanics, as usual, have been left high and dry with a big blow to their hopes of being included. Further, some categories of health professionals including some nursing streams have been removed from the existing list. However, it’s not all doom and gloom for occupations not included as the list is not yet finalised and we could see some surprise entries after feedback from stakeholders has been considered.”
Consultations regarding amendments are still open and people can provide feedback.
The final list is expected to be published in mid-2019.
