The Federal Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services Alex Hawke has announced that pharmacists will be included on the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL).
This list outlines the priority visa processing for a number of occupations. The decision to fast track the visas for the pharmacists is taken to support the Australian COVID19 vaccine rollout.
“Priority visa processing will be given to those occupations on the PMSOL,”
Minister Hawke said
Earlier, the Federal government announced that all Australian pharmacies are invited to do their part in the vaccine rollout.
“With thousands of community pharmacies across Australia being invited to join the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, it’s all hands to the pump as the COVID-19 vaccine rollout continues,”
Minister Hawke said.
The new occupations added to the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (including ANZSCO codes) are as following :
- Hospital Pharmacist (251511)
- Retail Pharmacist (251513)
- Industrial Pharmacist (251512)
Wade Ramsay is a pharmacist and runs his own pharmacy in regional victoria.
He told The Australia Today, “Retaining talent in regional areas is very hard, I have been struggling to fill permanent positions at two of my pharmacies.”
“It is a great decision for the industry and Australia.”
However, Mr Ramsay doesn’t forget to mention that regional areas should be given priority when decisions are made.
Mr Hawke added, “The Morrison Government will support pharmacies across Australia, including through skilled migration, as the supply of COVID-19 vaccine doses increases over the coming weeks.”
Seema Chauhan is a Gold Coast-based Registered migration agent with Abode Australia Migration.
She told The Australia Today, “Federal government seems to be very serious to fast-track the vaccination program and for that, they need skilled pharmacists.”
“I believe if your paperwork is in good shape, you could be in Australia within months,”
said Ms Chauhan
This addition of three occupations brings the PMSOL to 44 in total.
Existing skilled migration occupation lists remain active, and all skilled migrants are subject to quarantine arrangements at their own expense.
