Kanika Mathur waited for this day for almost a year only to be left disappointed by the ACT skilled occupations list.
She is a journalist and wanted to move to Australia. The ACT was the only state offering a visa to skilled journalists. However, this has avenue has now been closed along with many others.
“No other state offers a visa to skilled off-shore journalists. The ACT was my only hope, and that has been shattered. I think I can give up my dream to move to Australia,” says a disappointed Ms Mathur.
The ACT has made many popular occupations unavailable including Nursing Clinical Director and Engineers, says Chaman Preet of Melbourne-based Education and Migration Experts.
The ACT had closed its visa program to most applicants on June 29 for a detailed review. Earlier this month the government announced a new visa system after detailed consultations and discussions.
“The ACT has developed a new system which is one of its kind. It has given up the first come first served policy and moved to point based invitation program,” says Chaman Preet.
“However, the ACT has launched a particular points system which is different from other states and national system. The applicant will have to score a minimum of 20 points based on the ACT criteria, apart from meeting national point requirements.”
The new system would require applicants to have a strong presence in the territory before applying for the visa.
Rohit Mohan of Lakshya Migration explains, “Applicants can score points in different categories. For instance, the length of stay or study in Canberra, English proficiency, partner’s English proficiency etc. will bring some points. And applicants will be invited by their scores.”
Open occupations would get 10 points, and one will not get any points if the occupation is closed. Here are the lists of open and closed occupations:
Occupations Opened:
• • Sales & Marketing Manager
• • Advertising Manager
• • Construction Project Manager
• • Interior Designer
• • Aeronautical Engineer
• • Agricultural Engineer
• • Biomedical Engineer
• • Engineering Technologist
• • Environmental Engineer
• • Naval Architect
• • Primary School Teacher
• • Teacher of English SOL
• • Anaesthetist
• • Midwife
• • Web Developer
• • Interpreter
• • Anaesthetic Technician
• • Metal Fabricator
• • Welder (First Class)
• • Panel beater
• • Bricklayer
• • Stonemason
• • Painting Trades Workers
• • Fibrous Plasterer
• • Solid Plasterer
• • Plumber (General)
• • Aircon. & Mechanical Services Plumber
• • Drainer
• • Gasfitter
• • Roof Plumber
• • Electrician (General)
• • Electrician (Special Class)
• • Lift Mechanic
• • Airconditioning & Refrigeration Mechanic
• • Enrolled Nurse
Occupations Closed:
• • Corporate Services Manager • • Nursing Clinical Director
• • Primary Health Organisation Manager
• • Welfare Centre Manager
• • Copywriter
• • Newspaper or Periodical Editor
• • Print Journalist
• • Technical Writer
• • Television Journalist
• • Journalist & other writers (nec)
• • Transport Engineer
• • Electrical Engineer
• • Electronics Engineer
• • Industrial Engineer
• • Mechanical Engineer
• • Optometrist
• • Orthopist
• • Retail Pharmacist
• • Careers Counsellor
• • Drug & Alcohol Counsellor
• • Family & Marriage Counsellor
• • Rehabilitation Counsellor
• • Student Counsellor
• • Counsellors (nec)
• • Social Professionals (nec)
• • Social Worker
