The minister announced on 8th February 2010 that the existing Skilled Occupation List (SOL) will be replaced in the second half of 2010. The current SOL will be replaced with a new list of specific targeted occupations. As such, there will no longer be a need for the current Critical Skills List (CSL). The CSL will therefore be revoked upon the introduction of the new updated SOL.

The new updated version of the SOL is intended to be a comprehensive, specific and targeted list of occupations in demand within Australia and to better meet the medium and long-term future skills needs of the economy. The new updated SOL will be based predominantly on the advice of the independent body ‘Skills Australia’.

The Australian government has established Skills Australia to provide expert and independent advice regarding matters relating to Australia’s current, emerging and future workforce skills and workforce development needs.

Occupations of high value to the Australian economy and that align with the national workforce development strategy will be identified by Skills Australia and listed on the new SOL. It is expected that the new SOL will include professional, managerial, trade and technical occupations.

It is anticipated that the new SOL will be announced by 30 April 2010 and will take effect in mid-2010. It will apply to all visa applications lodged on or after the date of its commencement.

Employers and state and territory governments will still be able to sponsor applicants who have nominated an occupation which is not included in the new SOL in order to meet the needs of a particular employer or state/territory, if the nomination is in accordance with a state migration plan approved by the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship.

The new SOL will not apply to GSM applicants who at the date of the Ministers announcement (8th February 2010):

Note however, that persons holding these student visas will be required to have an occupation on the new SOL in order to apply for a permanent GSM visa.