Migration Tasmania has recently updated its guidelines regarding skilled employment related to gold, green, and orange-plus attributes. These attributes are crucial for applicants pursuing state nomination through the Tasmanian Skilled Employment pathway. In this blog, we outline the key updates and considerations for claiming these attributes, along with some important statistics and upcoming events.

Skilled Employment Requirements

To be eligible for gold, green, or orange-plus attributes, the role must align with the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) Skill Levels 1, 2, or 3. This means your job duties must closely match those of an occupation classified as Skill Level 1-3 in ANZSCO.

If your occupation does not appear in ANZSCO, your duties may still align with a role that is listed. Migration Tasmania encourages applicants to review the general descriptions for each skill level to help determine whether their role is skilled.

Key Considerations: Skills, Duties, and Pay

When determining whether a role qualifies as skilled employment, Migration Tasmania evaluates three main factors:

Skills and qualifications: The applicant's qualifications and professional skills must align with the required standards.
Duties: The tasks performed in the role should correspond to those outlined for Skill Levels 1-3.
Pay rate: A salary above the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (currently $73,150) can indicate skilled employment, but this is considered alongside other factors. Pay rates around or below the National Minimum Wage are not considered consistent with skilled roles.

For example, a candidate claiming to be a cook at a Tasmanian restaurant may have duties consistent with a fully qualified cook (Skill Level 1), but if their pay rate is similar to that of a kitchenhand (Skill Level 5), Migration Tasmania may not consider the role skilled.

When Duties Include Both Higher and Lower Skilled Elements

In some cases, applicants may have duties that span both higher-skilled and lower-skilled roles. For the Tasmanian Skilled Employment pathway, at least 70% of the duties should match the ANZSCO definition of a Skill Level 1-3 role. For example:

A Disability Support Worker primarily engaged in lower-skilled duties (Skill Level 4) may not be able to claim priority attributes unless their duties match higher-skilled roles.
An Assistant Accountant would only be eligible for skilled employment claims if their duties align with at least 70% of the ANZSCO description for Accountants (Skill Level 1).

Tasmanian Skilled Graduate and Established Resident Pathways

For these pathways, there is more flexibility. Applicants need to demonstrate at least 40% alignment with the duties described in ANZSCO. This reflects the reality that recent graduates often begin in entry-level positions. For instance, a junior accountant may perform foundational tasks like data entry, which may only align with 40-50% of the ANZSCO description for Accountants. However, once they gain experience and take on more complex responsibilities, they would need to meet the higher expectations for skilled employment.

Processing Statistics

As of 26 November 2024, the processing statistics are as follows:

Registrations of Interest (ROIs): 1,924 submitted, with 1,230 invited to apply (64% success rate).
Applications for Nomination: 1,235 lodged, 755 approved (87% approval rate).

The main reason for declined applications is the submission of false or misleading information, such as exaggerating employment details or misrepresenting salary levels.

Overseas Applicant Selection

Migration Tasmania plans to conduct a selection round in late January or early February 2025, focusing on overseas applicants in the health, allied health, and education sectors. Candidates who meet the skill requirements described on the Migration Tasmania website may be contacted for nomination under the Subclass 491 Overseas Skilled Occupation Profiles pathway.

Key Dates and Events

Webinar: An information session will be held on Tuesday, 17 December 2024, from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm AEDT. Topics will include:
- Definition of skilled employment
- Prioritisation of ROIs and nomination applications
- Pay and salary considerations
- Overseas applicant selection
- Holiday office operations
Christmas/New Year Office Closure: Migration Tasmania will close from 12:00 noon on Tuesday, 24 December 2024, and reopen on Thursday, 3 January 2025. Applications can still be submitted, but no processing or inquiries will be addressed during this period.

Conclusion

Understanding the detailed requirements for skilled employment is essential for those pursuing nomination through the Tasmanian State 190/491 pathways. Ensure that your occupation aligns with the ANZSCO Skill Levels and that your pay and duties meet the criteria for skilled employment. Keep an eye on key dates and stay updated with the latest information from Migration Tasmania to ensure a smooth application process.

For more details, visit the Migration Tasmania website or register for the upcoming webinar.