The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, has instituted a new Legislative Instrument specifying the new SOL for the General Skilled Migration program effective in Australian immigration from 1st July 2010.

The new SOL defines ‘skilled’ occupations for immigration purposes, the number of points awarded for each occupation and the bodies considered to be relevant assessing authorities for each occupation.  It addresses four different classes of GSM applicants, outlined in four separate schedules.

Schedule 1: This list applies to all GSM visa applications that were not finally determined by 1st July 2010. This includes all GSM visa applications that had been lodged and were awaiting a decision by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship on 1st July 2010.

Schedule 2: This list refers to GSM applicants subject to the transitional arrangements, meaning those applications made on or before 31st December 2012 for a visa subclass 885 (Skilled – Independent), 886 (Skilled – Sponsored), or 487 (Skilled – Regional Sponsored) by an applicant already holding a visa subclass 485 on 8th February 2010 or who was awaiting a decision on a previously lodged application for this visa subclass on 8th February 2010.

Because GSM applications made on or after 1st July 2010 are subject to the new ANZSCO, this list refers to the ANZSCO occupations and the DIAC endorsed correlating ASCO occupations, points and assessing authorities. Note however that applicants under this schedule and to whom these transitional arrangements apply may nominate an occupation from either the pre – 1st July 2010 SOL or the new SOL instituted from 1st July 2010.

Schedule 3: This list applies to GSM applications lodged on or after 1st July 2010, including those applicants for whom the transitional arrangements outlined in Schedule 2 apply but who chose to apply under the new SOL. This list refers to occupations listed on the new ANZSCO and outlines DIAC approved correlations to ASCO occupations, points and assessing authorities.

Schedule 4: This list applies to GSM applications for visa subclasses 176, 475, 487 and 886 where the application is nominated by an Australian State or Territory Government. Note that the list of skilled occupations relevant to schedule 4 is significantly broader than the lists relevant to schedules 1, 2 and 3. This is intended to allow Australian State and Territory government agencies to more easily target skills shortages in their regions, by allowing GSM applicants nominated by State or Territory government agencies to apply on the basis of a wider range of skilled occupations.