Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL): Essential Guide to In-Demand Professions

With over 70% of its places dedicated to the Skill Stream, the Australian Government’s 2024-25 Migration Program offers 132,200 opportunities for skilled professionals. This initiative focuses on filling the most in-demand professions across the country, providing a pathway for those seeking greater job security and new career horizons.

The Core Skills Occupation List is a pivotal element of this program. As part of the new Skills in Demand visa, the CSOL helps attract highly qualified individuals to fill key skill shortages across various sectors. 

However, what exactly does this mean for you and your career aspirations?

In this blog, we’ll break down the Core Skills Occupation List role, explore the benefits of in-demand professions, and even give you a sneak peek at the types of professions likely to be included. 

What is the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL)?

The CSOL is a proposed list of occupations critical to Australia’s workforce needs. It’s part of a new migration system called the Skills in Demand (SID) visa, designed to replace the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Subclass 482 visa. This was introduced in the migration strategy in December 2023 and will operate similarly to the Skilled Occupation Lists and TSS visa.

The CSOL will specifically target the Core Skills Pathway within the SID visa for temporary employer sponsored migration. It aims to attract migrants with highly demanded skills across various industries. Visas under this program will be issued for up to 4 years and will allow visa holders greater flexibility in changing employers. 

The SID visa offers three pathways: 

Tier 1 – Specialist Skills Pathway

• Designed to attract highly skilled professionals in niche fields experiencing critical shortages.
• Unlike the other tiers, there’s no specific occupation list as long as your skills are demonstrably in high demand.
• If your guaranteed annual income surpasses a specific threshold (currently around $135,000), you might qualify.
• This tier boasts the fastest processing times, potentially as quick as 7 days.

 Tier 2 – Core Skills Pathway

• Targets occupations experiencing ongoing skill shortages across various industries.
• To qualify, your profession needs to be listed on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), which is still under development and likely to focus on roles in trades, healthcare, IT, and community services. 
• The minimum salary or TSMIT requirement for Tier 2 is lower than Tier 1 (around $70,000 and, as of 1st July 2024, AU$ 73,150) but still reflects skilled positions. 
• This pathway offers a streamlined application process compared to the standard visa, but it might not be as fast as Tier 1.

Also read: What is Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold?

Tier 3 – Essential Skills Pathway

• This tier focuses on occupations with ongoing but less critical skill shortages compared to the other tiers.
• The specific details about this tier, including the exact list of occupations and the minimum salary threshold (likely under $70,000), are still being finalised.
• It’s expected to be sector-specific, with stricter regulations and a more detailed application process than Tier 2.
• This tier likely caters to essential but less specialised roles.

Draft Core Skills Occupations List

The Australian Government Department of Jobs and Skills is still developing the CSOL. Appearing on CSOL can benefit migrants seeking a visa under the Core Skills Pathway of the Skills in Demand (SID) visa program. However, the CSOL draft is prepared only for the consultation process. Based on Australian labour market analysis, this draft focuses on occupations listed in the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) Skill Levels 1 to 3. 

While over 700 occupations are being considered for the CSOL, Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) has grouped them into three categories for consultation purposes:

• Targeted for Consultation: This is the primary focus right now. JSA is actively seeking feedback on these occupations to determine if they should be included in the final CSOL. While this is the main focus, anyone can provide feedback on any occupation, regardless of category.
• Confident On List: These occupations are highly likely to be included in the final CSOL based on strong evidence of skill shortages. However, JSA is still open to feedback from stakeholders to ensure the list remains accurate.
• Confident Off List: These occupations likely won’t be included in the final CSOL because there are currently enough skilled workers in Australia to fill those positions. However, JSA is still considering any feedback on these professions in case circumstances change.

JSA is still considering all stakeholder input regarding these categories before finalising their recommendations to the Government.

Which Professions Are Likely to Be on the CSOL?

A recent analysis by Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) revealed a consistent trend in workforce needs. A significant portion, roughly 29% (or 266 occupations), faced skill shortages for two consecutive years (2022 and 2023). Notably, nearly half (47%) of these in-demand roles were professional positions concentrated in healthcare, engineering, information and communication technology (ICT), and science fields. Additionally, technician and trade occupations accounted for a large portion (33%) of the persistent skill shortages.

Thus, the draft CSOL is likely to focus on these shortage professions categorised under ANZSCO, which typically involve professions:

Note: These are a few lists of occupations being considered for the new core skills occupation list. Additionally, the list of occupations is not in effect currently.

Index

Targeted for Consultation -🟢

Confident On List – 🟡

Confident Off List – 🔵

Benefits of Pursuing a Career in an In-Demand Profession

Pursuing a career with a skills in demand visa can bring forth numerous advantages. Here are some potential benefits:

1. Job Security: Occupations in high demand typically offer greater job security, as there is a consistent need for skilled professionals in these fields. They are less susceptible to economic fluctuations or automation, ensuring stability in employment.
2. Competitive Compensation: Sought-after professions often command higher salaries and more appealing compensation packages due to the scarcity of qualified individuals. Employers are willing to provide attractive incentives to attract and retain top talent.
3. Opportunities for Advancement: Being in a sought-after profession opens doors to various avenues for career growth and progression. Professionals with relevant skills and expertise are well-positioned to pursue leadership roles or delve into specialised areas within their field as industries evolve.
4. Wide Array of Job Opportunities: High-demand professions offer a broader spectrum of job openings, both domestically and internationally. This flexibility allows professionals to explore diverse sectors, work environments, or geographic locations.
5. Continuous Learning and Development: Sought-after professions necessitate staying abreast of the latest technologies, trends, and practices. This encourages a culture of continual learning, professional development, and skill enhancement, ensuring individuals remain at the forefront of their industry.
6. Fulfilment and Impact: Many sought-after professions are associated with making a positive impact on society. Whether in healthcare, technology, renewable energy, or other fields, professionals often find their work fulfilling, knowing they contribute to societal betterment.

Summing Up!