Australia's Department of Immigration has today added 16 further trades skills occupations to the list of Migration Occupations in Demand.

Skilled visa applicants who nominate one of the following occupations can now claim points for having a MODL occupation:

- Baker (ASCO Code 4512-11)
- Boat Builder and Repairer (4981-13)
- Carpenter (4411-13)
- Drainer (4431-15)
- Flat Glass Tradesperson (4982-11)
- Floor Finisher (4423-11)
- Gasfitter (4431-13)
- Joiner (4411-15)
- Lift Mechanic (4311-15)
- Mechanical Services and Air Conditioning Plumber (4431-19)
- Pressure Welder (4122-13)
- Roof Plumber (4431-17)
- Roof Slater and Tiler (4413-11)
- Stonemason (4416-13)
- Vehicle Body Maker (4215-11)
- Wall and Floor Tiler (4416-11)

The full MODL is available via the weblink below.

By way of background, the Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL) is a mechanism used to facilitate the entry of migrants with particular specialist skills who are applying for permanent residence. Only those occupations where a significant shortage of skills in the Australian labour market has been identified are included on the MODL.

Applicants applying under the General Skilled Migration Program for a permanent points tested visa who nominate an occupation on the MODL are eligible for the award of an additional 15 or 20 points (if there is a full time job offer and other requirements are met) under the general points test.

Such visa applications are also given priority processing.

Weblink: http://www.immi.gov.au/migration/skilled/advice_doc/gn_modl.htm