Skills, Qualifications & Experience

The following skills, qualifications, experience and employment background requirements apply to the occupations listed in the tables below in relation to the TSS, SESR and ENS visas.

It is not the responsibility of the DAR to certify the skills or experience of any visa applicant under the DAMA program. Applicants or their appointed representative must deal directly with the relevant skills assessing authority and not the DAR for skills assessment certification.

Skills Assessment

Qualifications are to be assessed by the relevant Skills Assessing Authority (as specified in the Labour Agreement) as being at least equivalent to the relevant Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) qualification detailed for the relevant tables below, in order to assist the Minister’s decision as to whether the visa applicant has the necessary qualifications for the position.
Where requested, work experience must be certified as being genuine and relevant to the nominated occupation/position, in order to assist the Minister’s decision as to whether the visa applicant has the necessary employment background for the position.

Work experience

Work experience to fulfil visa requirements:

  • Must be relevant to the nominated occupation and at the required skill level; and
  • Must be full time or part time pro rata equivalent unless otherwise specified below. Full-time work should be in accordance with the National Employment Standards; and
  • Must be undertaken in the last five (5) years; and
  • Can be undertaken concurrently with work experience used to substitute qualifications, provided the work experience was at the skilled level.

Occupations on the combined eligible list of skilled occupations

For the occupations in the Table 1 below, which are on the eligible lists of skilled occupations (the Short-term Skilled Occupation List, Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List or Regional Occupation List), any nomination for these occupations or any application for a TSS, SESR or ENS visa connected with these occupations must satisfy the skills, qualifications, experience and employment background required under the standard visa programs, except:

  • Where the relevant Australian Qualification Framework qualification was obtained in Australia, only 1 year of relevant full time work experience  is required for the TSS visa program OR
  • Have at least two (2) years of relevant work experience for the TSS, SESR or ENS visa program.

Skills Assessment

A skills assessment is required for the occupations in Table 1 where the applicant is part of a class of persons specified in the relevant legislative instrument for the visa. This legislative instrument further prescribes the relevant Skills Assessing Authority that must undertake the assessment.

Table 1: Occupations on the combined eligible list of skilled occupations

ANZSCO Code Occupation ANZSCO Skill Level
141999 Accommodation & Hospitality Managers nec 2
221111 Accountant 1
334112 Airconditioning and Mechanical Services Plumber 3
253211 Anaesthetist 1
121111 Aquaculture Farmer 1
321111 Automotive Electrician 3
121312 Beef Cattle Farmer 1
351211 Butcher or Smallgoods Maker 3
141111 Café or Restaurant Manager 2
351311 Chef 2
421111 Child Care Group Leader 2
233211 Civil Engineer 1
272311 Clinical Psychologist 1
149311 Conference and Event Organiser 2
351411 Cook 3
149212 Customer Service Manager 2
262111 Database Administrator 1
411211 Dental Hygienist 1
411213 Dental Technician 2
411214 Dental Therapist 1
252312 Dentist 1
321212 Diesel Motor Mechanic 3
251111 Dietitian 1
241111 Early Childhood (Pre-Primary) School Teacher 1
341111 Electrician (General) 3
411411 Enrolled Nurse 2
323212 Fitter & Turner 3
234212 Food Technologist 1
253111 General Practitioner 1
149999 Hospitality, Retail and Service Managers nec 2
141311 Hotel or Motel Manager 2
431411 Hotel Service Manager 2
132311 Human Resource Manager 1
135199 ICT Managers nec 1
135112 ICT Project Manager 1
313199 ICT Support Technicians nec 2
221112 Management Accountant 1
322311 Metal Fabricator 3
312912 Metallurgical or Materials Technician 2
254111 Midwife 1
321211 Motor Mechanic - general 3
261211 Multimedia Specialist 1
254411 Nurse Practitioner 1
251312 Occupational Health & Safety Adviser 1
252411 Occupational Therapist 1
512111 Office Manager 2
324111 Panel beater 3
521111 Personal Assistant 2
252511 Physiotherapist 1
334116 Plumber (General) 3
252611 Podiatrist 1
233513 Production or Plant Engineer 1
253411 Psychiatrist 1
272399 Psychologists nec 1
139916 Quality Assurance Manager 1
254412 Registered Nurse – Aged Care 1
254413 Registered Nurse (Child and Family Health) 1
254414 Registered Nurse (Community Health) 1
254415 Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency) 1
254416 Registered Nurse (Developmental Disability) 1
254417 Registered Nurse (Disability and Rehabilitation) 1
254421 Registered Nurse (Medical Practice) 1
254418 Registered Nurse (Medical) 1
254422 Registered Nurse (Mental Health) 1
254425 Registered Nurse (Paediatrics) 1
254423 Registered Nurse (Perioperative) 1
254424 Registered Nurse (Surgical) 1
254499 Registered Nurses nec 1
253112 Resident Medical Officer 1
241411 Secondary School teacher 1
272511 Social Worker 1
253311 Specialist Physician (General Medicine) 1
252712 Speech Pathologist / Speech Language Therapist 1
331112 Stonemason 3
233214 Structural Engineer 1
133611 Supply and Distribution Manager 1
253511 Surgeon (General) 1
232611 Urban and Regional Planner 1

Occupations not on eligible skills lists

For the occupations, which are requested under this Agreement but are not on the combined eligible list of skilled occupations, the following skills, qualifications, experience and employment background criteria will apply to any nomination for these occupations or any application for a TSS, SESR or ENS visa made under the Migration Legislation.

Skills Assessment

A skills assessment is required for applications lodged for the occupations listed in
Tables 2 to 8.  Qualifications are to be assessed by the relevant Skills Assessing Authority (as specified in the labour agreement) as being at least equivalent to the relevant AQF qualification detailed for the relevant tables below, in order to assist the Minister's decision as to whether the visa applicant has the necessary qualifications for the position.

ANZSCO Skill levels 1 – 3 Occupations

The occupations outlined in Table 2 must meet the following requirements. The visa applicant must:

  • Undergo a skills assessment conducted by the relevant skills assessing authority

AND

  • Meet the skill level requirements as defined in ANZSCO including where work may substitute the formal qualification;

AND

  • Where the relevant Australian Qualification Framework qualification was obtained in Australia, only 1 year of relevant work experience  is required for the TSS visa program; OR
  • Have at least two (2) years of relevant work experience for the TSS, SESR or ENS visa program.

Table 2: ANZSCO Skill level 1 to 3 Occupations not on the eligible skilled occupation list

ANZSCO Code Occupation ANZSCO Skill Level
311112 Agricultural and Agritech Technician 2
451111 Beauty Therapist 3
121711 Broadacre Crop and Livestock Farmer 1
421111 Child Care Worker 3

ANZSCO Skill Level 4 Occupations (non-meat-processing occupations)

The occupations outlined in Table 3 must meet the following requirements. The visa applicant must:

  • Undergo a skills assessment conducted by the relevant skills assessing authority

AND

  • Meet the skill level requirements as defined in ANZSCO including where work may substitute the formal qualification;

AND

  • Have at least 1 year of relevant work experience (38 hours per week) for the TSS visa program OR
  • Have at least 2 years of relevant work experience (38 hours per week) for the SESR or ENS visa program.

Table 3: ANZSCO Skill Level 4 Occupations not on the eligible skilled occupation list

ANZSCO Code Occupation ANZSCO Skill Level
551111   Accounts Clerk 4
423111   Aged or Disabled Carer 4
721111 Agricultural & Horticultural Mobile Plant Operator 4
431111 Bar Attendant 4
423211 Dental Assistant 4
721211 Earthmoving Plant Operator 4
712311 Engineering Production Worker 4
711211 Industrial Spray painter 4
721999 Mobile Plant Operators nec 4
621312 Motor Vehicle Parts Interpreter / Automotive Parts Salesperson 4
423312 Nursing Support Worker 4
551311 Payroll Clerk 4
423313 Personal Care Assistant 4
839312 Product Grader [including Product Quality Controller - Meat Grader] 4
621511 Retail Supervisor 4
733111 Truck Driver (General) 4
431511 Waiter 4

Meat processing occupations: ANZSCO skill level 4 skills requirements

The following skills and experience requirements are to be met for other meat processing occupations not included in the eligible list of skilled occupations, as outlined in Table 4.

  • Overseas Workers are to be assessed and verified by a MINTRAC registered assessor, or an assessor approved by the Commonwealth, with a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment experienced in meat processing, prior to visa application lodgement.

Skilled Meat Worker (Meat Boners & Slicers and Slaughterer)

TSS

  • A minimum skill level commensurate with the MINTRAC referenced AQF Certificate III in meat processing; and either
  • Demonstrate a minimum of two years skilled work experience obtained at an MPE acceptable to the Parties, or
  • Have been working in Australia on a subclass 457 or TSS visa at an Australian MPE acceptable to the Parties for at least nine (9) months prior to being nominated, or
  • At least one year relevant work experience in Australia on a temporary visa other than a Subclass 457 or TSS visa at an Australian MPE acceptable to the Parties.

SESR/ENS

  • SESR visa applicants must meet the skill requirements as outlined above with the exception that they must have a minimum of two (2) years recent and relevant work experience (regardless of whether Australian or offshore work experience).   

Table 4: Meat Processing ANZSCO Skill Level 4 Occupations  

ANZSCO Code Occupation ANZSCO Skill  Level
831211 Meat Boners & Slicers 4
831212 Slaughterer 4

Meat and seafood processing occupations ANZSCO skill level 5 skills requirements

The following skills requirements are to be met for ANZSCO skill level 5 occupations outlined in Table 5. The visa applicant must:

  • Undergo a skills assessment conducted by the relevant skills assessing authority

AND

  • Meet the skill level requirements as defined in ANZSCO OR
  • Have at least one (1) year of recent and relevant work experience to substitute the formal qualification.

AND

  • Have at least one (1) year of relevant work experience for the TSS visa; OR
  • Have at least two (2) years of relevant work experience for the SESR or ENS visa program.

Table 5: ANZSCO Skill Level 5 Occupations

ANZSCO Code Occupation ANZSCO Skill  Level
832114 Meat Packer 5
831311 Meat Process worker 5
831313 Seafood Process Worker 5

General ANZSCO skill level 5 occupations (not on an eligible list of skilled occupations)

For the occupations outlined in Table 6, which are requested under this Agreement but are not on an eligible list of skilled occupations, the following skills, qualifications, experience and employment background criteria will apply to any nomination for these occupations or any application for a TSS, SESR or ENS visa made under the Migration Legislation. The visa applicant must:

  • Undergo a skills assessment conducted by the relevant skills assessing authority

AND

  • Meet the skill level requirements as defined in ANZSCO OR
  • Have at least one (1) year of recent and relevant work experience to substitute the formal qualification.

AND

  • Have at least one (1) year of relevant work experience for the TSS visa; OR
  • Have at least two (2) years of relevant work experience for the SESR or ENS visa program.

Table 6: General ANZSCO Skill Level 5 Occupations not on an eligible list of skilled occupations

ANZSCO code Occupation ANZSCO Skill  Level
431211 Cafe Worker 5
811211 Commercial Cleaner 5
831114 Dairy Products Maker 5
431999 Hospitality Workers nec 5
839412 Sawmill or Timber Yard Worker 5

Non-ANZSCO Occupations (indicative skill levels 3 and 4)

For the occupations outlined in Table 7 and Table 8 which are requested under this agreement but do not appear in ANZSCO, the following skills, qualifications, experience and employment background criteria will apply to any nomination for these occupations or any application for a TSS, SESR or ENS visa made under the Migration Legislation.

Non-ANZSCO Occupations Skill level 3 occupation/s

The visa applicant must:

  • Undergo a skills assessment conducted by the relevant skills assessing authority

AND

  • Hold at least an AQF (or equivalent) Certificate III which includes at least two (2) years recent and relevant work experience;

AND

  • Have at least one (1) year of work experience if the relevant AQF qualification was obtained in Australia for the TSS or SESR visa programs; or
  • Have at least two (2) years of relevant work experience for the TSS, SESR or ENS visa program.

Table 7: Non-ANZSCO Occupations Skill level 3 occupation/s

6-digit Code Occupation Indicative Skill Level
070499 Senior Dairy Cattle Farm Worker 3

Non-ANZSCO Occupations Skill level 4 occupation/s

  • Undergo a skills assessment from the relevant skills assessing authority

AND

  • For occupations Brewer and Housekeeping Supervisor have at least an AQF (or equivalent) Certificate III or
    Have at least one year of relevant work experience to substitute the formal qualification.
  • Have at least an AQF (or equivalent) Certificate II or III or
    Have at least one (1) year of relevant work experience to substitute the formal qualification.

AND

  • For occupations Brewer and Housekeeping Supervisor only, have at least one (1) year (20 hours plus per week) work experience for the TSS and SESR visa programs.
  • Have at least one (1) year of full time employment for the TSS visa program; or
  • Have at least two (2) years of full time work experience for the TSS, SESR or ENS visa program.

Table 8: Non-ANZSCO Occupations Skill level 4 occupation/s

6-digit Code Occupation Indicative Skill Level
070499 Aquaculture Supervisor 4
070499 Brewer 4
070499 Dairy Cattle Farm Operator 4
070499 Housekeeping Supervisor 4

Designated Area Representative

Contact for further information or clarification on aspects of the GSC DAMA program
Angie Doldan, Great South Coast DAMA Coordinator, Warrnambool City Council
Email: adoldan@warrnambool.vic.gov.au 
Phone: 5559 4800

Local Council

You are encouraged to contact your local Council for advice on a preliminary eligibility check.

Colac Otway Shire Council

 

Corangamite Shire Council

Katy McMahon – Manager Economy & Prosperity

Katy.mcmahon@corangamite.vic.gov.au 

Phone 5593 7100 

Glenelg Shire Council

Bryce Spencer - Economic Development Coordinator
Phone: 03 5522 2138
Email: ecodev@glenelg.vic.gov.au

Moyne Shire Council

Bethany Lewis - Economic Development Officer

Phone   1300 656 564

Southern Grampians Shire Council

Daniel Shaw - Business Development Officer

dshaw@sthgrampians.vic.gov.au

Phone: 5573 0444

Warrnambool City Council

Angie Doldan - GSC DAMA Coordinator

Email: adoldan@warrnambool.vic.gov.au 

Phone: 5559 4800