Highlights
- Federal government announces visa fast-tracking for pharmacists
- Alex Hawke announces addition of three new pharmacy-related occupations to PMSOL
- Announcement likely to benefit Australia’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout and skilled migration program
Kartheek Kamadana, who came to Australia from India’s southern state of Andhra Pradesh as a pharma student to study at the University of Tasmania, is very excited about the announcement.
Many others like him have welcomed the federal government’s decision to include pharmacists in the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL), which will not only pave the way for a faster and surer migration pathway for the applicants but also support Australia in managing the slow pace of its coronavirus vaccination campaign.
In addition, it is also being seen as a measure to address Australia's growing need for skilled migrants to help in its post-pandemic economic recovery.
Talking to SBS Hindi, Mr Kamdana spoke about how he sees this announcement as a positive development for aspiring pharmacists like him who wish to become permanent residents of Australia.
“I am so excited. I gave my skills assessment test called the Knowledge Assessment of Pharmaceutical Sciences last week. After I get my results, I will apply for permanent residency,” he said.
Navya Sravani Pathuri, who also came to Australia from Andhra Pradesh in 2017 as a pharma student, received her permanent visa approval last month, which was not fast-tracked.
“It took me over a year to get my permanent residency. Due to COVID-19, I could not sit for my skill assessment test last year,” Ms Pathuri, an intern pharmacist in Victoria’s Wodonga, told SBS Hindi.
She now hopes this announcement will help expedite the migration processes for those like her.
On 27 July, Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs Alex Hawke announced the addition of three categories – Hospital Pharmacist, Retail Pharmacist and Industrial Pharmacist to the PMSOL.
Navya Sravani Pathuri, an intern pharmacist at Wodonga. Source: Supplied by Navya Sravani Pathuri
“With thousands of community pharmacies across Australia being invited to join the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, it’s all hands to the pump as the COVID-19 vaccine rollout continues,” a media release from Mr Hawke’s office stated.
“The Morrison Government will support pharmacies across Australia, including through skilled migration, as supply of COVID-19 vaccine doses increases over the coming weeks,” he added.
The addition of these occupations brings the PMSOL to 44 in total, Mr Hawke was quoted as saying.
He added that the existing skilled migration occupation lists remain active, and all skilled migrants are subject to quarantine arrangements at their own expense.
Indian-origin pharmacist and former president of the Pharmacy Guild of Victoria, Dipak Sanghvi told SBS Hindi that Australia always needed pharmacists and it is “the need of the hour” to support its vaccine rollout as well as the migration program.
Dipak Sanghvi, a pharmacist and former president of Pharmacy Guild of Victoria. Source: Supplied by Dipak Sanghvi
However, he also believes this move may not be able to help the vaccine rollout immediately.
“It will take time to reap the benefits of this move. An applicant has to go through the entire process which takes time,” Mr Sanghvi said.
Echoing similar views, Varun Sarpal, who owns three pharmacies in Melbourne, said this move by the government may help those like him find workforce for his business.
“We struggle to find pharmacists and with the vaccine rollout program adding to our workload, I will have to hire more pharmacists. So this announcement will make a difference,” Mr Sarpal said.
Robin Chohan, a migration agent based in Melbourne, also told to SBS Hindi that pharmacists were in demand and will now be able to file their permanent residency visa applications offshore as well onshore.
