On 8 May Australian Government announced changes to its immigration strategy by adding to its Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL). The changes affect skilled visas for immigration to Australia.
The MODL and Skills Occupation List (SOL) form part of the backbone of Australia's point-based skilled migration strategy.
Applicants for immigration to Australia who nominate one of the newly added occupations on or after 4 May 2005 will be awarded additional points. Those who submitted application before 4 May 2005, if the application is not yet finalized, will also be granted additional points.
Applicants under the points tested General Skilled Migration (GSM) program for Australia who nominate an occupation on the MODL are awarded 15 points.
The following occupations were added to the MODL on 4 May 2005:
Professional:
Civil Engineer
Dentist
Nuclear Medicine Technologist
Podiatrist
Speech Pathologist
Trades:
Bricklayer
Cabinetmaker
Carpenter & Joiner
Cook
Electrical Powerline Tradesperson
Electrician (Special Class)
Electronic Equipment Tradesperson
Fibrous Plasterer
General Electrician
General Electronic Instruments Tradesperson
General Plumber
Solid Plaster
Australia's points-style system of immigration has proven to be successful in filling labor gaps in the economy. In the recent British elections, some UK politicians promised to follow Australia's example and implement a similar system.
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