The list includes a mix of common occupations and others for which applications from Irish workers are extremely rare.
Irish Visa experts VisaFirst.com have urged Irish people thinking of travelling to live and work in Australia not to panic following an announcement by Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull that the 457 visa – which brings skilled workers into the country – is to be abolished.
While the move will affect the eligibility of some Irish workers in Australia, it will be replaced by a new scheme, the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS), while the hugely popular working holiday visa programme will remain open.
Outside of the Australian Working Holiday programme, which allows eligible applicants between the age of 18 and 30 to work in Australia for a 12-month period (which can be extended by 12 months in certain circumstances), thousands of Irish workers will still be able to travel to Australia to work.
Anyone, for example, who is currently travelling on a 457 visa and/or who has recently been granted one for future travel will NOT be affected.
Where the change announced by Turnbull will affect Irish workers is with regard to the 200 occupations that have been removed from the skills shortage list (see below).
According to VisaFirst.com, meanwhile, several occupations (including trades) that had previously been eligible for 4-year sponsorships are now only eligible for two years.
In addition, from March 2018, people can now only renew their sponsorship visa once onshore.
VisaFirst.com say the changes will not impact on a large variety of the more popular trades amongst Irish workers, which will remain eligible for a 4-year sponsorship.
You can check the detailed list below to see how your occupation might be affected.
Occupations removed from skills shortage list
- Biochemist
- Biotechnologist
- Construction Estimator
- Driller
- Electronic Engineering Draftsperson
- Electronic Engineering Technician
- Floor Finisher
- ICT Support and Test Engineers NEC
- ICT Support Technicians NEC
- Human Resource Adviser
- Mechanical Engineering Draftsperson
- Microbiologist
- Multimedia Designer
- Public Relations Manager
- Surveying or Spatial Science Technician
- Technicians and Trades Workers NEC
- Telecommunications Cable Jointer
- Telecommunications Technician
- Web Developer
Occupations previously eligible for four-year sponsorship, now eligible for two-year sponsorship
- Roof Tiler
- Baker
- Cook
- Pastrycook
- Hairdresser
- Hair or Beauty Salon Manager
- Massage Therapist (therapists providing non-medical relaxation massage are not eligible)
- Web Administrator
- Hardware Technician
- Architectural Draftsperson
- Welfare Worker
- Software Tester
- Database Administrator
- ICT Security Specialist
- Systems Administrator
- Network Administrator
- Network Analyst
- ICT Systems Test Engineer
- ICT Support Engineer
- Graphic Designer
- Illustrator
- Web Designer
- Marketing Specialist
Occupations that remain eligible for four-year sponsorship
- Carpenter
- Painting Trades Workers
- Plasterers
- Plumber
- Drainer
- Electrician
- Chef
- Cabinetmaker
- Refrigeration Mechanic
- Fitter
- Metal Fabricator
- Mechanics (Motor & Diesel Motor)
- Welder
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