Occupations Added to the 489 Regional Occupation List

By Nicole Kirkwood

Tuesday, 19 June 2018

Whilst much attention has been given to the changes in the employer sponsored program, exciting changes were made to the Regional Occupations List (ROL) for the Skilled Regional (Provisional) subclass 489 visa.

59 occupations were added to this ROL including the following which were removed from all occupation lists in 2017:

  • Human Resource Advisor
  • Policy Analyst
  • Procurement Manager
  • Vocational Education Teacher
  • Dental Hygienist
  • Dental Technician
  • Translator
  • Financial Institution Branch Manager
  • Multimedia Designer
  • Safety Inspector
  • Pathology Collector
This is a positive outcome for many human resource specialists who were left without a migration pathway and with the addition of Policy Analyst seems to benefit those working in the areas of academic, research and policy who have previously found employer sponsorship difficult.

The subclass 489 is a provisional, or temporary, visa valid for up to 4 years but, offers a pathway to the Skilled Regional subclass 887 visa, a permanent residence visa. The 489 visa holder would be required to meet relevant criteria including maintain residence in a regional area of Australia for at least 2 years, whilst working a minimum of 35 hours per week in any occupation, in a regional area of Australia for at least 12 months.

Benefits of a subclass 489 visa application

Traditionally, skilled foreign nationals have transitioned from a Student visa or Graduate Work/Post Study Work visa to permanent residence under the General Skilled Migration program; either with a Skilled Nominated subclass 190 or Skilled Independent subclass 189 visa.

However, it has become increasingly difficult for many to secure the Government invitations required to lodge those subclass 190 or subclass 189 applications, putting at risk their ability to maintain lawful immigration.

The benefits of submitting a subclass 489 visa application can include:

  1. Increasing the points score further The pass mark required is 60 points including points awarded for State nomination. However, in cases where demand exceeds supply, the applicant will find they need a higher point score to increase their chances of getting an invitation from the Government, before making the relevant visa application

  2. Increase the processing time In many cases, invitations to apply for a 489 visa has been issued quickly, providing the nominated region agrees to sponsor the applicant.

  3. Work experience for the subclass 887 visa The regional work experience required to meet one of the criteria for the 887 visa may be in any occupation and can include casual jobs if the combined hours of employment equate to at least 35 hours a week.

  4. No points test requirement - subclass 887 visa There is no requirement to pass a points test in order to transition to the 887 visa, the permanent stage of the 489 visa. However, there are legislative criteria which must be met.

  5. No English language requirement - subclass 887 visa There is no English language requirement when transitioning to the 887 visa.

  6. No age limitation - subclass 887 Whilst the 489 visa requires the applicant to be under 45 years of age, at the time of application, there is no age requirement when transitioning to the 887 visa.
The full list of 489 ROL occupations are as follows:
  1. horse breeder
  2. public relations manager
  3. policy and planning manager
  4. project builder
  5. procurement manager
  6. medical administrator
  7. regional education manager
  8. sports administrator
  9. caravan park and camping ground manager
  10. post office manager
  11. amusement centre manager
  12. fitness centre manager
  13. sports centre manager
  14. cinema or theatre manager
  15. financial institution branch manager
  16. human resource adviser
  17. workplace relations adviser
  18. policy analyst
  19. liaison officer
  20. market research analyst
  21. aeroplane pilot
  22. flying instructor
  23. helicopter pilot
  24. ship's master
  25. multimedia designer
  26. wine maker
  27. conservation officer
  28. exercise physiologist
  29. vocational education teacher
  30. environmental health officer
  31. intellectual property lawyer
  32. translator
  33. community arts worker
  34. agricultural technician
  35. operating theatre technician
  36. pathology collector
  37. construction estimator
  38. surveying or spatial science technician
  39. mechanical engineering draftsperson
  40. safety inspector
  41. maintenance planner
  42. building and engineering technicians
  43. vehicle painter
  44. floor finisher
  45. electrical linesworker
  46. zookeeper
  47. nurseryperson
  48. gas or petroleum operator
  49. dental hygienist
  50. dental therapist
  51. emergency service worker
  52. driving instructor
  53. funeral workers (nec)
  54. flight attendant
  55. first aid trainer
  56. jockey
  57. clinical coder
  58. property manager
  59. real estate representative
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