The Australian Government has announced a further relaxation of the Covid-19 travel restrictions.
In a joint media release issued on 2 September 2020, Acting Minister for Immigration Alan Tudge and Minister for Employment, Michaela Cash outlined a new travel ban exemption category.
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Employer-sponsored visa holders will now be allowed to return to Australia, if their occupation is on the New Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL). The PMSOL contains 17 occupations in the health care, construction and IT sectors:
Chief Executive or Managing Director (111111)
Construction Project Manager (133111)
Mechanical Engineer (233512)
General Practitioner (253111)
Resident Medical Officer (253112)
Psychiatrist (253411)
Medical Practitioner nec (253999)
Midwife (254111)
Registered Nurse (Aged Care) (254412)
Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency) (254415)
Registered Nurse (Medical) (254418)
Registered Nurse (Mental Health) (254422)
Registered Nurse (Perioperative) (254423)
Registered Nurses nec (254499)
Developer Programmer (261312)
Software Engineer (261313)
Maintenance Planner (312911)
Existing skilled migration occupation lists will remain active and visas will still be processed, but priority will be given to those in occupations on the PMSOL.
According to the announcement, Minister Tudge stated that:
"Visa holders, who have been sponsored by an Australian business in a PMSOL occupation can request an exemption from Australia’s travel restrictions, but will be subject to a strict 14 days quarantine on arrival at their own expense."
Information about Australia’s travel exemption processes for those in critical skills and sectors is available at https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/critical-skills-and-sectors.
Have any questions? Post them in the comments below or email Elan at elan@ryshermigration.com.au
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