An occupation ceiling is a limit on the number of invitations that can be issued through SkillSelect each year. They are based on a percentage of stock employment figures for each occupation.
Stock employment figures are provided by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, and represent the number of people employed in Australia in each occupation.
The ceilings ensure the skilled migration programme is not dominated by a narrow group of occupations and is applied to the following Australian Visa Classes.
- Skilled independent visas
- Skilled regional sponsored visas
- Skilled or business state or territory sponsored visas.
Earlier today, we flagged that the Occupations Ceiling had been reached For Engineering and Computer Related Roles. This means that those applicants looking to emigrate to Australia under these professions will NOT receive an invitation to apply within the current Australian Migration Year which runs through to 30 June 2016.
After this point, your occupation will need to appear on the soon to be published 2017 – 2018 Skilled Occupation List (SOL) to qualify for an Australian skill based Visa.
At the time of typing (18th April 2017), there are many other occupation groups which are reaching the occupations ceilings. The following groups may be reaching their ceilings in the next rounds of invitations:
If you’re looking to apply for an Australia Skilled based visa under any of these occupations the number of invitations remaining are limited so you might need to wait until the 2017 – 2018 migration year before you receive an invitation to apply.
Great job Mark! My query is on the 190 visa requirement by some states (e.g. WA) to have a job contract before applying. I am living overseas and I think its almost impossible for me to get a job contract as most employment agencies require me to have a visa first before I can get an employment contract. I was actually invited to apply for State nomination and my result was negative because I did not have a job contract. My question now is are there any agencies that help people secure employment contracts for purposes of state nomination?
Hmmm. I’m not sure about this one Patricia. Reading the information on the WA migration website here it states:
Contract of employment
There is a requirement for those living in an Australian state or territory other than Western Australia, and those applicants who wish to apply for a State Nominated 489 visa for a restricted region to provide a contract of employment.
Reading this, the requirement for a contract is fo those living in a different Australian state OR if you were applying for a 489 Visa. It doesn’t state that this is a requirement for the 190 Visa if you are an overseas candidate.
Do you interpret this differently or have you seen different information from somewhere else?
Hallo Mark
Thank you for your response. My occupation is Geologist so it is listed as schedule 2 on the WASMOL. I figured that these need an employment contract.
I therefore cant figure out how I can possibly get an employment contract to meet the state nomination criteria.
Hi Mark ,
I am a Internal Auditor , from India and i have 65 points (including State Sponsorship), awaiting for an invite . Do i have any chance for getting a invite with this score in 2017 -18 ?
Hi mate, really difficult to say. See this article on the subject: https://gettingdownunder.com/chances-getting-australian-visa/
Hi Mark, I am applying for 2611 soon. Is it possible to know how many invitations were issued to 65, 70 and 75+ in previous rounds?
I don’t think this level of information is made available Matthew. From the skill select website the lowest scores receiving invites are however:
See here for the source :)
Hi Mark,
Any idea when 2613’s quoto will open for 2017-2018?
Probably in the next few weeks Sudha, the government is keeping the date under wraps at the moment.
thanks Mark. that’s good to know.
Does your list include invitations sent last Apr 12?
Hi, William, the list was current as of yesterday so as long as the Australian migration department included the numbers they will be reflected in this list. :)