Consolidated Sponsored Occupation List (CSOL)

The current Consolidated Sponsored Occupational List (CSOL) is applicable for applicants for:

• Points-based skilled migration who are nominated by a state or territory government agency under a State Migration Plan

The skilled stream of Australia’s Migration Programme is mainly to target migrants who have skills or outstanding abilities which will add to the economy in Australia. The migration to Australia of skilled people who are qualified helps to succeed and address main skill shortages in Australia. It also improves the size and skill level of the Australian labour force. In the skill stream, priority is given to candidates who are relocating to a regional area, sponsored by employers or are nominated by a state or territory government under a State Migration Plan.

• The Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS), who must have been nominated by an Australian employer to fill a position in an occupation that appears in the CSOL

For skilled workers who want to work in Australia there is the Employer Nomination Scheme Visa. There is two steps to this visa, firstly, being nominated by an approved Australian Employer and secondly an application by the nominated stream. This is part of the Permanent Employer Sponsored Visa programme.

• The Temporary Work (Skilled) visa

The Temporary Work (skilled) Visa lets skilled workers come to Australia and work for a business for up to four years. For this Visa you have to be sponsored by an approved business. A approved business can sponsor anyone who is skilled if they cannot find a Australian citizen or permanent resident to do the skilled work for them. You can be in or outside Australia when you make your application.

• The Training and Research visa

The Training and Research visa is for when you want to come to Australia on a short term basis to take part in occupational training, observe or take part in research as a visiting academic, or take part in a professional development program. This is not a work visa.

This visa has three streams:

• Occupational Trainee stream: This is when you need planned workplace-based training to boost your skills in the current occupation, area of study, or field of knowledge.

• Professional Development stream: This is for professionals, managers or government officials who are invited to take part in a professional development program in Australia. This program has to be arranged by an employer who is outside Australia and it normally lasts up to 18 months.

• Research stream: This is for professional academics who are invited to Australia to observe or take part in an Australian research project which is at an Australian tertiary or research institution.