Australia announced ceilings for the Skilled Occupations List 2019-20

Each year thousands of migrants apply to Australia under the Skilled Migration program under the occupations mentioned in the Skilled Occupations List (SOL).  This list currently comprises of more than 200 occupations and is updated regularly by the Department of Home Affairs (DoHA).

Moreover the Australian Government puts a limit to the number of ‘Expression of Interest’ (EOI) or invites issued from an occupation group to ensure that the skilled migration program is not dominated by a small number of occupations. This limit is called occupation ceilings.

Australia has recently announced the occupations ceiling. This measure is taken to ensure that the skilled migration program is not dominated by a small number of occupations. No further invitations for that particular occupation group will be issued once the ceiling limit is reached.

‘Invitations will then be allocated to intending migrants in other occupation groups even if they are lower ranking.’

Ceilings reflect which occupations are more in-demand

These occupation ceilings play an important role in giving an insight into which occupations are in more demand.  It reflects which occupations are in more demand and needs more skilled migrants.

Australia has reduced its migration program for 2019-20. In regard to this, it needs to be clear that the ceilings do not represent the number of invites to be issued, i.e. it does not mean that these many invitations will be given within that occupation.

Occupation ceilings for 2019-20 

The occupation ceilings for each occupation on the list of eligible skilled occupations have been released for the 2019-20 year.

Note that the ceilings do not apply to the following categories; State or Territory Nominated, Employer Sponsored or Business Innovation and Investment visa subclasses.