Confirmed by DIBP, the changes to occupations on 19 Apr 2017 or July 1 2017 do not impact applications in the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream of the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) or Regional Skilled Migration Scheme (RSMS) visa programs. This is because eligibility is based on the nominee’s subclass 457 history, not whether or not their occupation is ‘on the list’.
In terms of ENS Direct Entry (DE) applications:
- If a nomination application was lodged before 19 April or 1 July 2017 respectively, the list of eligible skilled occupations that was in place at the time of lodgement will still apply to this application. Any related visa application (containing an occupation that has been ‘removed from the list’ post lodgement of the nomination) can also still be approved, where other requirements are met.
- Where a nomination application was received after an occupation was removed from the list, the applicant will not be assessed and the nominator will be offered the chance to withdraw. The same will occur for any related visa applications. If no withdrawal, the Department will move to a refusal decision.
Occupations available for RSMS DE are currently unchanged.