Occupations lists review opens for submissions
The Department of Enterprise opened a public consultation on the Critical Skills and Ineligible Occupations Lists from 23 July to 19 September 2025.
The Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment opened a public consultation on 23 July 2025 to review the Critical Skills Occupations List and the Ineligible Occupations List. Submissions closed on 19 September 2025.
What was under review
The consultation sought views on roles to add to the Critical Skills list, roles to remove from the Ineligible list so they could qualify for a General Employment Permit, and roles to add to the Ineligible list.
The previous full review, completed in 2023, had added 11 roles to the Critical Skills list and made 32 roles eligible for General Employment Permits.
Why this mattered
The lists determine which occupations qualify for employment permits. Roles on the Ineligible list cannot qualify for a General Employment Permit, regardless of salary. The Critical Skills list identifies roles eligible for a permit with no labour market needs test and a faster route to Stamp 4.
Employers, sector bodies and trade unions were invited to submit evidence. The outcome, published in May 2026, included 32 changes.
Sources
- Ministers Burke and Dillon announce review of employment permit occupations lists — Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment