The changes to the occupation lists have been announced.These changes will apply from today, 17 January 2018.

MIA members should also note that a number of occupations that were not previously available for the subclass 407 Training visa have now been aligned for that visa.

The Government is introducing the TSS visa in early March 2018. There will be three options available under this new visa program:

• Short-term stream - this is for employers to source genuine temporary overseas skilled workers in occupations included in the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) for a maximum of two years (or up to four years if an international trade obligation applies)
• Medium-term stream - this is for employers to source highly skilled overseas workers to fill medium-term critical skills in occupations included on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) for up to four years, with eligibility to apply for a permanent residence after three years.
• Labour Agreement stream - this is for employers to source overseas skilled workers in accordance with a labour agreement with the Commonwealth, on the basis of the demonstrated need that cannot be in the Australian labour market and standard visa programs are not available, with the capacity to negotiate a permanent residence option. 
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From 9 December 2017, you can apply for a visa as your partner's 'spouse' if you are in a same-sex marriage following the legalisation of same-sex marriage in Australia.

Under the changes, if you are in a same-sex marriage you can apply for a visa as your partner's 'spouse', rather than as their 'de facto partner'.

In line with the new six-monthly review cycle of the new occupation lists as announced by the Government in early 2017:

Updates to the occupation lists for the temporary and permanent skilled visas will come into effect on or about 17 January 2018. This update is based the on the review conducted by the Department of Jobs and Small Business (DJSB) in late 2017, which is now complete. This review was informed by labour market modelling and analysis, and feedback from employer and employee groups, and other government agencies.