In regards about the SOL which I’ve covered in my previous post, Australian government has updated the SOL to reflect the new changes effectively from 1st July 2010. As per usual, SOL will be updated annually. This new list will apply to all new applications made from 1 July 2010.

A number of transitional arrangements have been introduced to minimise the impact of this change on international students.

The new list of occupations will not apply to any valid GSM (General Skill Migration) applications already lodged before 1 July 2010. It will also not apply to people who, on 8 February 2010:
• held a subclass 485 (skilled graduate) visa or
• had a pending subclass 485 visa application
and who apply for a provisional or permanent onshore GSM (General Skill Migration) visa on or before 31 December 2012.

Further, the new list of occupations will not apply to international students who, on 8 February 2010 held:
• a subclass 572 (vocational education and training sector) visa;
• a subclass 573 (higher education sector) visa; or
• a subclass 574 (postgraduate research sector) visa.
when they apply for a subclass 485 (skilled graduate) visa on or before 31 December 2012.

This will enable these students to remain in Australia for 18 months on the temporary skilled graduate visa after the completion of their studies to gain valuable work experience and the opportunity to secure an employer or state/territory government to sponsor them.

For further information of the new list of Occupations (SOL), please refer to the link on below:

http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/pdf/new-list-of-occupations.pdf