What Is an Occupation List in Australia?

What Is an Occupation List in Australia? A Complete Guide for Skilled Migrants

Australia offers several skilled migration pathways for qualified professionals who want to live and work in the country. One of the important factors in this process is the Occupation List in Australia

The Australian skilled occupation list identifies occupations that may be eligible for specific skilled visa programs. It helps applicants understand whether their professional background may fit a particular migration pathway.

However, being listed does not automatically mean that an applicant qualifies for a visa. Each visa has its own eligibility requirements, and applicants may also need a suitable skills assessment, relevant qualifications, work experience, English language ability, employer sponsorship or state nomination.

This guide explains what the Australian occupation list is, the different occupation lists, how to check your occupation and why it matters for skilled migration.

What Is an Occupation List in Australia?

An occupation list in Australia is an official list of occupations that may be eligible for certain Australian skilled visa programs.

The Australian Department of Home Affairs publishes information about eligible skilled occupations, including their relevant occupation codes, visa pathways and skills assessing authorities.

These lists help determine which occupations can be considered under particular skilled migration programs.

The occupation list information may include:

• Occupation name

• ANZSCO occupation code

• Eligible visa subclasses

• Relevant occupation list classification

• Skills assessing authority

• Any applicable occupation caveats or restrictions

The occupation lists are used across different skilled migration pathways, including points-tested, state-nominated, regional and employer-sponsored visas.

What Is ANZSCO?

ANZSCO stands for the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations.

It is a classification system used to identify occupations and describe their tasks, skill levels and qualification or experience requirements.

Each occupation has a specific ANZSCO code. This code helps immigration authorities and assessing bodies identify the occupation being nominated by an applicant.

For example:

• Accountant (General) - ANZSCO 221111

• Civil Engineer - ANZSCO 233211

• Mechanical Engineer - ANZSCO 233512

• Software Engineer - ANZSCO 261313

• Registered Nurse (Aged Care) - ANZSCO 254412

These are examples of occupation codes. Applicants must confirm the correct code and applicable classification version for their intended visa pathway.

Important: Australia uses different ANZSCO versions for different skilled visa programs. The Department of Home Affairs uses ANZSCO 2022 for Subclass 186 and Subclass 482 programs, while ANZSCO 2013 is used for other skilled visa subclasses covered by the relevant occupation lists.

What Are the Different Australian Occupation Lists?

Australia has different occupation list classifications for different skilled migration pathways. The Department of Home Affairs' combined skilled occupation list identifies which classifications apply to each occupation.

The main classifications include:

1. Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)

The Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List identifies occupations that are relevant to certain skilled migration pathways.

Occupations on this list may be eligible for specified visa options, subject to the applicable requirements.

The MLTSSL is relevant to certain points-tested skilled visa pathways, including the Subclass 189 points-tested stream, as well as other eligible skilled visa programs.

2. Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL)

The Short-term Skilled Occupation List includes occupations that may be eligible for selected skilled visa pathways.

An occupation on the STSOL does not automatically qualify an applicant for every skilled visa. The relevant visa subclass and its occupation requirements must be checked.

For example, STSOL occupations may be considered under certain state-nominated and regional skilled migration pathways, subject to the applicable rules.

3. Regional Occupation List (ROL)

The Regional Occupation List includes occupations relevant to selected regional skilled migration pathways.

It is associated with certain regional visa programs, including relevant Subclass 491 and Subclass 494 pathways.

Applicants should check the occupation's eligibility for the specific regional visa stream rather than assuming that every ROL occupation qualifies for every regional visa.

4. Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL)

The Core Skills Occupation List is used for specified employer-sponsored skilled visa pathways.

It is relevant to:

• Skills in Demand visa (Subclass 482) - Core Skills stream

• Employer Nomination Scheme visa (Subclass 186) - Direct Entry pathway

Applicants must also meet the relevant occupation, salary, skills, work experience and other visa requirements.

Which Australian Visas Use Occupation Lists?

Occupation eligibility depends on the visa subclass and stream. The Department of Home Affairs' combined occupation list provides information about the relevant visa pathways.

Some important visa options include:

1. Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)

The Subclass 189 points-tested visa is a permanent residence pathway for eligible skilled workers who do not require state or territory nomination.

Applicants must meet the occupation and other eligibility requirements applicable to the points-tested stream.

2. Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)

The Subclass 190 visa is a permanent residence pathway for skilled workers nominated by an Australian state or territory government.

Applicants must satisfy the relevant occupation requirements and the nomination criteria of the state or territory.

3. Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491)

The Subclass 491 visa is a provisional skilled visa for eligible workers who intend to live and work in designated regional areas of Australia.

Applicants may qualify through state or territory nomination or eligible family sponsorship, depending on the stream.

4. Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482)

The Subclass 482 Skills in Demand visa allows approved employers to sponsor eligible skilled workers for positions they need to fill.

The Core Skills stream uses the Core Skills Occupation List. Applicants must also meet the applicable employer sponsorship, occupation, salary and other requirements.

5. Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (Subclass 186)

The Subclass 186 visa is a permanent employer-sponsored visa with different streams.

The Direct Entry pathway uses the relevant skilled occupation requirements, including the Core Skills Occupation List. The Temporary Residence Transition stream has different occupation rules and does not use an occupation list in the same way.

6. Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa (Subclass 494)

The Subclass 494 visa is an employer-sponsored regional visa for eligible skilled workers who will work in a designated regional area.

Occupation eligibility depends on the relevant stream and applicable occupation requirements.

How to Check Whether Your Occupation Is on Australia's Occupation List

Before applying for an Australian skilled visa, you should check whether your occupation is eligible for the visa pathway you intend to pursue.

Follow these steps:

Step 1: Identify Your Occupation

Review your educational qualifications, work experience and actual job responsibilities.

Choose an occupation that accurately reflects the work you have performed. Do not select an occupation only because its title sounds similar to your current job.

Step 2: Find Your ANZSCO Code

Search for your occupation on the official Department of Home Affairs skilled occupation list.

Check the occupation name, ANZSCO code and relevant classification version.

Step 3: Check the Visa Subclass

Review the visa subclasses shown against your occupation.

An occupation may be eligible for one visa pathway but not another.

Step 4: Check the Occupation List Classification

Identify whether the occupation is included in the MLTSSL, STSOL, ROL or CSOL, as applicable.

Check the relevant legislative instrument and visa requirements for confirmation.

Step 5: Identify the Skills Assessing Authority

The occupation list also identifies the relevant skills assessing authority.

Depending on your occupation, you may need to obtain a suitable skills assessment before proceeding with your skilled migration application.

Step 6: Review Additional Requirements

Check whether your occupation has any caveats, restrictions or additional requirements.

Some occupations may have limitations relating to the nature of the position, employer, business size or other conditions.

Step 7: Review the Latest Official Requirements

Occupation lists and migration rules can change. Always check the current Department of Home Affairs information before submitting an application.

What Happens If Your Occupation Is Not on the Occupation List?

If your occupation is not listed for your preferred skilled visa pathway, it does not necessarily mean that you cannot work or migrate to Australia.

You may need to explore other options, depending on your qualifications, experience and circumstances.

Possible alternatives include:

• Checking whether another occupation accurately matches your qualifications and professional duties.

• Exploring employer-sponsored visa pathways with different occupation requirements.

• Checking whether a state or territory has an eligible nomination pathway for your occupation.

• Exploring regional employer-sponsored options.

• Reviewing applicable labour agreement or Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) opportunities, where available.

• Considering further study or training if it supports a genuine career pathway.

Do not nominate an occupation that does not accurately match your professional background simply because it appears on a list.

Can the Same Occupation Appear on Different Australian Occupation Lists?

Yes. An occupation may appear under more than one occupation list classification, depending on the applicable visa programs.

For example, an occupation may be included on the MLTSSL and CSOL. This does not mean that the requirements for all related visa subclasses are identical.

Applicants must check:

• The occupation's ANZSCO code

• The applicable ANZSCO version

• The visa subclass and stream

• The occupation list classification

• Any caveats or restrictions

• The relevant skills assessing authority

Does Being on the Occupation List Guarantee an Australian Visa?

No. Being included on an Australian occupation list does not guarantee a visa invitation or approval.

Applicants must satisfy all requirements for their selected visa pathway.

These may include:

• Age requirements, where applicable

• English language requirements

• Suitable skills assessment, where required

• Relevant qualifications and work experience

• Points-test requirements for points-tested visas

• State or territory nomination, where required

• Employer sponsorship, where required

• Health and character requirements

• Other visa-specific conditions

The Department of Home Affairs makes the final visa decision.

Why Should You Check the Occupation List Before Applying?

Checking the occupation list before starting your migration process can help you make informed decisions.

It can help you:

• Identify potentially suitable visa pathways.

• Understand which occupation code applies to your profession.

• Find the relevant skills assessing authority.

• Avoid applying under an unsuitable visa pathway.

• Review state nomination and regional migration options.

• Understand whether employer sponsorship may be necessary.

• Prepare the correct documents for your intended application.

A careful eligibility check can help reduce unnecessary expenses and delays.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Checking Australia's Occupation List

Applicants should avoid these common mistakes:

• Checking only the occupation title without reviewing job duties.

• Using an incorrect ANZSCO code.

• Assuming that all occupation lists apply to every visa.

• Confusing the MLTSSL, STSOL, ROL and CSOL.

• Ignoring occupation caveats and restrictions.

• Using the wrong ANZSCO version.

• Assuming that an occupation's inclusion guarantees an invitation.

• Relying on outdated occupation lists.

• Ignoring state or territory nomination requirements.

Always verify occupation eligibility through the official Department of Home Affairs website.

Final Thoughts

The Australian occupation list is an important starting point for skilled migration applicants. It helps identify occupations that may be eligible for specific visa programs and provides information about occupation codes, assessing authorities and applicable classifications.

However, occupation eligibility is only one part of the migration process. Applicants must also meet the requirements of their chosen visa subclass and provide appropriate evidence of their qualifications, skills and experience.

Before starting your application, review the latest occupation list and confirm that your professional background matches the nominated occupation.

Planning to work or migrate to Australia? Countrywide Visas can help you understand occupation list requirements, assess your profile and explore suitable Australian skilled migration pathways.

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