Skilled Migration: 2014-15 Occupational Ceilings Announced The Occupational Ceilings for the 2014-15 year have been announced. Changes to the number of places allocated to Engineers, IT Professionals, Accountants, Teachers, Constructions Trades, and Chefs were substantial. What is an Occupational Ceiling? An occupational ceiling is the total number of invitations issued by the Australian Immigration Department for a particular occupation under the skilled migration program for an entire financial year. Where does it apply? Skilled-Independent Subclass 189 visas and family sponsored Skilled Regional Subclass 489 visas are subjected to occupational ceilings. They do not apply to, State or Territory Nominated, Employer Sponsored or Business Innovation and Investment visa subclasses. This means that states can nominate occupations for Skilled Sponsored Subclass 190 and Skilled Regional Subclass 489 visas even if the ceiling has been reached. Occupational ceilings are only applicable for Skilled Occupations List (SOL). 2014-15 Occupational Ceilings There have also been some changes in the places available for certain occupations. 2,530 places were added to Engineering occupations and 1,132 places added for IT Professionals. 4,242 places were deducted from Accountants, 1,170 subtracted from Teachers, 2,168 places reduced from Construction Trades and a decrease of 1,353 places from Chefs. Registered Nurses have the largest ceiling with 15,042 places, this is more than double the quota of any other occupational group. Below is the complete list of the 2014-15 Occupation Ceilings: Description Ceiling Value Construction Managers 5,178 Engineering Managers 1,428 Production Managers 3,132 Child Care Centre Managers 1,000 Health and Welfare Services Managers 1,356 Accountants  5,478 Auditors, Company Secretaries and Corporate Treasurers 1,188 Actuaries, Mathematicians and Statisticians 1,000 Land Economists and Valuers 1,000 Marine Surveyor 1,000 Architects and Landscape Architects 1,476 Cartographers and Surveyors 1,000 Urban and Regional Planners 1,000 Chemical and Materials Engineers 1,000 Civil Engineering Professionals 2,850 Electrical Engineers 1,332 Electronics Engineers 1,000 Industrial, Mechanical and Production Engineers 1,680 Mining Engineers 1,000 Other Engineering Professionals 1,000 Agricultural and Forestry Scientists 1,000 Medical Laboratory Scientists 1,092 Veterinarians 1,000 Other Natural and Physical Science Professionals 1,000 Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teachers 1,404 Secondary School Teachers 7,002 Special Education Teachers 1,044 Medical Imaging Professionals 1,014 Occupational and Environmental Health Professionals 1,470 Optometrists and Orthoptists 1,000 Chiropractors and Osteopaths 1,000 Dental Practitioners 1,000 Occupational Therapists 1,000 Physiotherapists 1,188 Podiatrists 1,000 Speech Professionals and Audiologists 1,000 Generalist Practitioners 3,672 Anaesthetists 1,000 Internal Medicine Specialists 1,000 Psychiatrists 1,000 Surgeons 1,000 Other Medical Practitioners 1,000 Midwives 1,000 Registered Nurses 15,042 ICT Business and Systems Analysts  1,620 Software and Applications Programmers  5,004 Computer Network Professionals 1,788 Telecommunications Engineering Professionals 1,000 Barristers 1,000 Solicitors 3,426 Psychologists 1,248 Social Workers 1,968 Civil Engineering Draftspersons and Technicians 1,000 Electrical Engineering Draftspersons and Technicians 1,000 Telecommunications Technical Specialists 1,000 Automotive Electricians 1,000 Motor Mechanics 6,444 Sheetmetal Trades Workers 1,000 Structural Steel and Welding Trades Workers 4,482 Metal Fitters and Machinists 6,816 Precision Metal Trades Workers 1,000 Bricklayers and Stonemasons 1,506 Carpenters and Joiners 7,164 Painting Trades Workers 2,448 Glaziers 1,000 Plasterers 1,980 Wall and Floor tilers 1,110 Plumbers 4,464 Electricians 7,854 Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanics 1,626 Electrical Trades Distribution Workers 1,000 Electronics Trades Workers 2,580 Chefs 2,547 Boat Builders and Shipwrights 1,000 Dental Hygienists, Technicians and Therapists 1,000 How to Apply? If you would like to consider your options under any of the skilled migration programs to migrate to Australia, call us at +65 6299 0245 to schedule an appointment to discuss your application. Alternatively, you may complete our free online assessment to check your eligibility. Source: http://www.immi.gov.au/Work/Pages/SkillSelect/SkillSelect.aspx