Critical Skills Shortage
INTRODUCTION OF THE CRITICAL SKILLS SHORTAGE
The Department of Immigration announced the introduction of a Critical Shortages List (CSL) in December 2008 and the changes came into effect on 1 January 2009. The Critical Skills list applies to people who are seeking to migrate under the skilled migration program and are not sponsored by an employer or nominated by a state or territory government.
The following outlines key information about the CSL:
• The CSL includes mainly information technology professionals, engineers and medical professionals.
• The CSL is a smaller list of occupations developed in consultation with state and territory governments.
• The CSL is reviewed regularly and updated to ensure it continues to reflect genuine shortages.
The purpose of the CSL is to give priority processing to general skilled applicants with occupations on the CSL. The CSL is similar to the MODL, but excludes certain occupations – the main ones excluded are:
• Cooks and Chefs
• Hairdressers
• Accountants (unless they have 7 minimum score in IELTS or have completed a professional year in Australia
• Many trade occupations
• Certain medical and engineering specialisations.
The CSL does not affect the points score of an applicant or any other aspect of their eligibility for general skilled migration.
SHORTAGES IN THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY
The Australian oil and gas industry may soon experience a major skills shortage. It is expected that there is more than $200 billion of work due to come on line in terms of Australia’s gas infrastructure over the next twelve months. The result of this is that it is going to re-energise the job market back to the level it was in 2007. It is estimated that some sixteen projects are on the drawing board including Woodside’s Pluto project which is currently under construction in Western Australia. Chevron’s Gorgon project was also given the green light by the State Government last month and is set to create thousands of jobs.
On the East Coast there is also positive activity where the focus is on Coal Bed Methane (CBM). Estimates suggest that there is more CBM there than the combined conventional gas resources of Bass Strait, the Cooper basin and the North West Shelf. Australia’s oil and gas talent pool is relatively shallow in comparison to other regions around the world. This represents a significant challenge as not all players will want to cover, or can cover, the potential skill gap just by importing talent.
Recent reports suggests exploration professionals, in particular Geoscientists with CBM experience and senior reservoir engineers are amongst the most sought after in Australia.
Australia's Critical Skills List
AUSTRALIA NEEDS YOU!
Australia is a growing and dynamic country. With the announcement of “the Nation’s biggest trade deal signed for WA gas” (The West Australian, August 19, 2009), Australia is fast approaching a huge economic boom particularly in the mining, gas, iron ore, and construction industries. Perth’s planned new hospitals and increases in the hospitality, tourism and mining industries require professional staff to meet proposed demands. Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales will also need staff for new projects in mining, hospitality and construction. Australia’s diverse cultures enjoy an outdoor lifestyle and the boom will ensure a host of opportunities for business and property investments.
Australia needs cafes, restaurants, housing, business developments, schools and medical centres and skilled staff for these to cope with the influx of people from all over the world to drive this exciting development. Be a part of these new ventures. It’s time to call Australia home!
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