.avif)
If you've searched for Australia's Skilled Occupation List, you've probably noticed something confusing: there isn't just one list. The occupation that works for a subclass 189 visa may not work the same way for a 482 or 186 visa. And seeing your occupation on a migration list does not necessarily mean that employers across Australia are struggling to fill that job.
Start with the visa you're going for. Everything else, the occupation list, your ANZSCO code, the assessing authority and any extra rules, follows on from that.
What Is Australia's Skilled Occupation List?
Australia does not use one occupation list for every skilled visa. Home Affairs runs one combined searchable list covering every skilled visa subclass. Search your occupation and it'll show you the ANZSCO code, the assessing authority, and any restrictions attached.
Within that system, you will see four main lists:
- Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL)
- Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)
- Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL)
- Regional Occupation List (ROL)
Which list matters to you depends on the visa. Finding your occupation on one list does not automatically make you eligible for every skilled visa.
Which Skilled Occupation List Applies to Each Visa?
The list you need to check depends on the visa pathway.
The subclass 186 Temporary Residence Transition stream works differently and does not use an occupation list in the same way. Eligibility is linked to the occupation connected with the applicant's eligible temporary skilled visa.
Subclass 494, 407 and the Post-Vocational Education Work stream of subclass 485 also come with occupation requirements. The Home Affairs combined list will show you what applies to each.
Extra Requirements for State Nomination
Being eligible under the federal occupation list does not guarantee nomination for a subclass 190 or 491 visa.
Each state and territory sets its own nomination requirements based on its workforce needs and migration program. Check the requirements for the state or territory you want to be nominated by.
Why Your ANZSCO Occupation Can Look Different Between Visas
Home Affairs currently uses different versions of ANZSCO across the skilled visa program. Subclass 482 and subclass 186 use ANZSCO 2022, while most other skilled visa subclasses continue to use ANZSCO 2013.
For many occupations the code is unchanged, but some occupations have been renamed, split or reclassified. Don't assume the same code carries across every visa. Check the occupation details for the specific one you're applying under.
Skilled Occupation List vs Australia's Job Shortage List
A migration occupation list and a job shortage list are not the same thing. The Home Affairs skilled occupation lists tell you which occupations may be available for particular migration pathways.
If you want to know which jobs employers are currently having difficulty filling, look at the Occupation Shortage List published by Jobs and Skills Australia.
The latest annual Occupation Shortage List points to health, education and construction as the areas with the most persistent gaps. But being on that list doesn't guarantee an easy job hunt. Demand still swings depending on where you are, how experienced you are, and how specialised your skill set is.
It works the other way too: an occupation can qualify for a migration visa without being anywhere near a national shortage. If your aim is migration, check the Home Affairs occupation list first. If you are researching the employment market, use Jobs and Skills Australia's labour-market data alongside it.
Does Having an Occupation on the List Mean You Qualify for a Visa?
No. It is only one part of the eligibility check. Depending on the visa, you may also need:
- a suitable skills assessment
- the required English level
- enough points
- an invitation through SkillSelect
- state or territory nomination
- employer sponsorship
- relevant work experience
- to meet age, health and character requirements.
For example, subclass 189 applicants must have a suitable occupation and skills assessment, meet the points test and receive an invitation before they can apply.
For subclass 190 and some subclass 491 pathways, you also need to meet the nomination requirements set by the relevant state or territory. So finding your occupation on a list is a useful first check, not a visa approval.
How to Check If Your Occupation Is Eligible
1. Start with the visa
Decide which skilled visa you are researching. The occupation list differs between visa subclasses.
2. Search the Home Affairs occupation list
Search by your occupation name or ANZSCO code and filter the results by visa.
3. Check the occupation details
Look at:
- the ANZSCO code
- which visas the occupation is eligible for
- which occupation list it appears on
- the skills assessing authority
- any caveats or restrictions.
4. Check your skills assessment requirements
Having the right occupation is not enough. Most points-tested skilled visa applicants need a suitable skills assessment from the authority listed for their occupation.
5. Check any nomination or sponsorship requirements
For subclass 190 and state-nominated subclass 491 applications, check the relevant state or territory rules. For employer-sponsored visas, check the requirements that apply to the employer, position and visa stream. Confirm those and you'll know exactly where you stand on that occupation.
Conclusion
The occupation list is a good place to start, but it should not be the only thing you check. Confirm your occupation is eligible for the visa first. From there, work through the ANZSCO code, your skills assessment, and whatever nomination or sponsorship rules apply.
If you are also researching where jobs are currently in demand, use the Jobs and Skills Australia Occupation Shortage List separately. Migration eligibility and employment demand are related, but they are not the same thing.
Knowbal can help you review your occupation, skills assessment requirements and the skilled visa pathways that may be relevant to your circumstances.
What if more than one ANZSCO occupation seems to match my work experience?
Compare the tasks you actually perform, not just your job title. Similar job titles can fall under different ANZSCO occupations, and the occupation you choose can affect the visa options and skills assessment requirements available to you. Check the duties listed for each occupation and the requirements of the relevant assessing authority before choosing a code.
What can I do if my occupation is not available for the skilled visa I want?
Check whether the occupation is eligible under another skilled visa pathway rather than assuming there are no options. An occupation that is unavailable for one visa may be available for another, including a state-nominated, regional or employer-sponsored pathway. You will still need to meet the requirements of that particular visa.
What if my occupation is eligible federally but not included in my preferred state's nomination program?
You can check the nomination requirements of other states or territories, provided you are genuinely able to meet their conditions. State and territory programs can have their own occupation priorities and eligibility rules, so federal occupation eligibility alone does not mean every state will consider your occupation.
Can I use a different skilled occupation if my current job title does not exactly match an occupation on the list?
Possibly, but the occupation should accurately reflect your qualifications, employment history and the work you actually perform. A different job title by itself does not necessarily rule an occupation in or out. Before relying on an occupation for a visa application, check its ANZSCO description and the criteria used by the relevant skills assessing authority.
What should I check if my occupation has recently been renamed, split or given a different ANZSCO code?
Check the occupation against the specific visa you are considering rather than relying on an older occupation code or previous search result. Different skilled visas can use different versions of ANZSCO, so confirm the current occupation name, code, assessing authority and any restrictions that apply before progressing with a skills assessment or visa application.
