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Visas, Immigration and Refugees

Skill Matching Database

Decommissioning of the Skilled Matching Database


On 10 May 2011, as part of the 2011–12 Budget for the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, Minister Chris Bowen MP announced the development of a new, Skilled Migrant Selection Register (SkillSelect). The introduction of SkillSelect will supersede the Skill Matching Database which currently operates. The department is decommissioning the Skill Matching Database which will take place in a phased manner.

  • Phase 1:  No new applicants will be added to the database after 30 June 2011.  However, applicants who are currently registered on the database can still update their information. Employers and state and territory governments can continue to access the database to source skilled migrants.
  • Phase 2:  The database will be shutdown on 1 July 2012.

The phased approach ensures applicants who are already on the database will continue to be registered until 1 July 2012.

Migrants who have been granted a permanent residence visa can continue to access Skilled Migrant Job Seeker website.
See: A Skilled Migrant Job Seeker

It is proposed that SkillSelect will be a two stage process whereby potential applicants first register their claims for skilled migration through an online Expression of Interest (EOI), and subsequently may be invited to make an application for a visa.  SkillSelect will commence from 1 July 2012.

SkillSelect will provide a central repository of prospective migrants. Under SkillSelect, prospective applicants submitting an EOI are able to indicate if they want to be considered for employer sponsored migration on either a temporary or a permanent basis. Employers may contact prospective migrants to arrange sponsorship for permanent employer sponsored migration or a subclass 457 visa. This will enable employers to easily identify, compare and establish contact with potential skilled workers.