ECEC imports increase while chefs decline – 2020/21 occupations ceiling released

The Department of Home Affairs has announced the occupation ceiling for 2020-2021, with early childhood education and care (ECEC) professions receiving a boost, with an additional 1,027 places for early childhood teachers (ECTs) made available on the skilled migration list, in a bid to attract more skilled migrants who are qualified as early childhood teachers to Australia. 

While ECTs will now have more opportunities to settle in Australia, traditionally popular skilled migration roles, such as accountants and chefs, have taken a hit, reflecting the changed economic and social landscape in Australia post the COVID-19 pandemic. 

An ‘occupation ceiling’ may be applied to invitations issued under the independent, skilled regional visas. This means there will be a limit on how many expressions of interest (EOIs) can be invited for skilled migration from an occupation group, preventing the skilled visa list being dominated by one or more professions. 

Alongside ECTs, construction managers have been given 43 per cent more places this year compared to last, with engineering managers, industrial, mechanical and production workers and special education teachers also benefiting from the changes. 

Sports Coaches, Instructors and Officers (69 per cent), Architects (34 per cent) and Plasterers (31 per cent) have all seen a significant decline this year on last.