Skilled Occupation List Australia: ANZSCO, CSOL, MLTSSL, STSOL and ROL

Australia’s Skilled Occupation List is not one single list applying to every skilled visa. Different occupation lists and different versions of ANZSCO apply depending on the visa pathway. Finding your occupation is therefore only the first step — you also need to establish which visa uses that occupation, which ANZSCO version applies, which assessing authority is responsible and whether you satisfy the remaining visa requirements.

There Is No Single Skilled Occupation List

The phrase “Skilled Occupation List Australia” is commonly used as though Australia maintains one master list that determines whether somebody can migrate.

That is not how the system works.

Home Affairs currently maintains a combined occupation search showing occupations relevant to visa programs including:

• subclass 189 Skilled Independent;
• subclass 190 Skilled Nominated;
• subclass 407 Training;
• subclass 482 Skills in Demand;
• subclass 485 Temporary Graduate;
• subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional;
• subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional; and
• subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme.

The occupation search identifies the occupation, ANZSCO code, assessing authority, applicable list and the visa subclasses for which the occupation may be relevant.

The First Question Is Not “Is My Job on the List?”

The better question is:

Which occupation accurately describes my work, and which visa pathways use that occupation?

A job title by itself is not enough.

Two people with the same business title may perform very different duties and therefore fit different ANZSCO occupations.

Likewise, two occupations with similar names may have different:

• ANZSCO codes;
• skills-assessing authorities;
• qualification requirements;
• work-experience requirements;
• eligible visa subclasses; and
• state-nomination prospects.

What Is ANZSCO?

ANZSCO is the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations.

It provides occupational classifications, codes and information about the nature and skill level of work.

For migration purposes, an occupation is usually identified by a six-digit ANZSCO code.

That code matters because it can determine:

• the applicable skilled occupation list;
• the relevant visa pathways;
• the skills-assessing authority;
• the expected qualification or experience level;
• occupation-specific caveats; and
• state or territory nomination options.

Why Australia Currently Uses Two ANZSCO Versions

This is now one of the most important features of the occupation-list system.

Home Affairs currently uses:

• ANZSCO 2022 for the subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme and subclass 482 Skills in Demand visa; and
• ANZSCO 2013 for other skilled visa subclasses, including occupations on the MLTSSL, STSOL and ROL.

That means the same broad occupation may appear differently depending on the visa being considered.

Some occupations have been renamed, reclassified or split into more specialised occupations under ANZSCO 2022.

Applicants should therefore avoid assuming that an ANZSCO code used for one visa is automatically the correct code for another.

The Core Skills Occupation List — CSOL

The Core Skills Occupation List is central to the subclass 482 Skills in Demand Core Skills stream and is also relevant to subclass 186 Direct Entry.

For a subclass 482 Core Skills application, the worker must generally be nominated in an occupation on the CSOL.

The applicant must also satisfy the other Core Skills stream requirements, including relevant experience, English and salary requirements.

Being on the CSOL does not mean:

• the person qualifies automatically for a 482 visa;
• the employer automatically qualifies to sponsor;
• a skills assessment is always required;
• a visa will be processed faster merely because the occupation is on the CSOL; or
• the occupation is necessarily eligible for a subclass 189 visa.

For the dedicated employer-sponsored guide see:

482 Skills in Demand Visa Australia
.

The Specialist Skills Stream Is Different

The subclass 482 Specialist Skills stream is not simply another occupation list identical to the CSOL.

Home Affairs currently requires the nominated occupation to fall within the relevant ANZSCO major groups and the salary to meet the Specialist Skills Income Threshold.

This is one reason why occupation eligibility should always be considered within the specific visa stream rather than by searching for a job title in isolation.

The MLTSSL

The Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List remains relevant to several skilled migration pathways.

For points-tested migration, an occupation’s list placement can determine whether it can be used for:

• subclass 189;
• subclass 190;
• subclass 491; or
• another skilled visa pathway.

But list placement alone does not establish invitation prospects.

A person can have:

• an eligible occupation;
• a positive skills assessment;
• at least 65 points;

and still have little realistic prospect of receiving an invitation.

For the broader strategy see:

Skilled Visa Australia — 189, 190 and 491
.

The STSOL

The Short-term Skilled Occupation List continues to form part of the current skilled occupation framework.

Its role should not be confused with the former subclass 482 Short-term stream.

The old TSS short-term and medium-term stream framework has been replaced by the Skills in Demand system.

The STSOL nevertheless remains relevant to other skilled visa pathways under the current occupation-list framework.

The Regional Occupation List — ROL

The Regional Occupation List supports eligible regional migration pathways.

Regional skilled migration includes pathways such as:

• subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional; and
• subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional.

An occupation’s availability for a regional visa does not mean that every state will nominate it or that every regional employer can sponsor it.

The applicant must still satisfy the relevant visa and nomination requirements.

State and Territory Occupation Lists

Subclass 190 and state-nominated subclass 491 visas add another layer to occupation eligibility.

Each state and territory operates its own nomination program within the federal skilled migration framework.

A state may:

• select only certain occupations;
• target particular industries;
• prioritise applicants already living in the state;
• invite offshore applicants;
• require employment or work experience;
• set additional English requirements;
• use ranking or priority criteria; or
• temporarily close particular pathways.

Those settings can change during the program year.

For that reason:

federal occupation eligibility does not equal state nomination eligibility.

DAMA Occupation Lists

Designated Area Migration Agreements can provide access to occupations that are not necessarily available through the ordinary skilled or employer-sponsored programs.

A DAMA occupation may also carry concessions concerning:

• age;
• English;
• salary;
• skills;
• qualifications; or
• work experience.

But DAMA occupations are region-specific and employer-driven.

A worker cannot independently select a DAMA occupation and apply without an eligible employer and the relevant regional process.

See:

DAMA Visa Australia

and

DAMA Concessions Australia
.

What Does an Assessing Authority Do?

Many skilled occupations have a prescribed skills-assessing authority.

Examples include:

• Engineers Australia;
• VETASSESS;
• Australian Computer Society;
• Trades Recognition Australia;
• AITSL;
• ANMAC;
• CPA Australia;
• Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand; and
• other occupation-specific authorities.

The assessing authority determines whether the applicant satisfies its requirements for the nominated occupation.

Those requirements may examine:

• qualification level;
• field of study;
• employment duties;
• employment duration;
• remuneration;
• date the applicant became skilled;
• professional registration; and
• other occupation-specific requirements.

For VETASSESS occupations see:

VETASSESS Skills Assessment Australia
.

Occupation List Does Not Mean Skills Assessment

An occupation appearing on a skilled occupation list does not automatically mean that every visa applicant in that occupation needs the same skills assessment.

Skills-assessment requirements depend on:

• visa subclass;
• visa stream;
• occupation;
• passport or nationality in some programs;
• the applicable legislative instrument; and
• any exemption.

For points-tested skilled migration, a suitable skills assessment is generally fundamental.

For subclass 482, a mandatory assessment applies only where required for the occupation and circumstances.

Occupation Eligibility Does Not Equal Visa Eligibility

Finding your occupation on a list proves only one part of the case.

Depending on the visa, you may still need to satisfy requirements concerning:

• age;
• English;
• skills assessment;
• points;
• state nomination;
• employer sponsorship;
• work experience;
• salary;
• registration or licensing;
• health;
• character; and
• application validity.

How to Check Your Occupation Properly

A sensible sequence is:

1. Identify the work you actually perform.
2. Identify the most appropriate occupation.
3. Confirm the ANZSCO code.
4. Confirm which ANZSCO version applies to the visa.
5. Check the Home Affairs occupation search.
6. Identify the eligible visa subclasses.
7. Identify the assessing authority.
8. Check any occupation caveats.
9. Check state nomination or regional requirements where relevant.
10. Only then assess the remaining visa eligibility.

Do Not Choose an Occupation by Job Title Alone

Job titles are often unreliable migration indicators.

For example, somebody called:

• Project Manager;
• Business Analyst;
• Operations Manager;
• Consultant;
• Engineer;
• Designer;
• Technician; or
• Marketing Manager

may perform work falling under several different ANZSCO occupations.

Occupation selection should therefore consider:

• actual duties;
• level of responsibility;
• technical content;
• decision-making authority;
• reporting structure;
• qualification background;
• industry context; and
• employment history.

Occupation Caveats

Some occupations can be subject to caveats restricting when they may be used.

Home Affairs currently notes that occupation caveats apply particularly within the ENS Direct Entry and Skills in Demand frameworks.

A caveat can relate to matters such as:

• business size;
• salary;
• nature of the position;
• type of business;
• location; or
• another occupation-specific limitation.

The occupation may therefore appear on a list while still being unavailable for the proposed position.

What Happens if an Occupation Is Removed?

Home Affairs states that pending nomination or visa applications are not adversely affected merely because an occupation is subsequently removed from a skilled occupation list.

Likewise, a person already holding a skilled visa is not automatically affected by later removal.

However, the occupation’s current status can become relevant if circumstances change — for example, where a new nomination is required because the worker changes employer or occupation.

Do Skilled Occupations Receive Faster Processing?

Not simply because they appear on an occupation list.

Processing priority and occupation eligibility are different concepts.

Ministerial Direction 119 commenced on 25 July 2026 and applies to a range of skilled visa subclasses.

It gives processing priority according to both:

• occupation; and
• the applicant’s location at the time of application.

Construction, healthcare and teaching occupations receive higher priority than many other occupations in specified circumstances, while law-enforcement and defence-related occupations receive the highest priority.

However, at present there is not enough post-25 July 2026 processing data to reliably quantify how much faster or slower particular skilled visa applications will actually be processed under Direction 119.

For current processing-time information see:

Australia Visa Processing Times
.

Common Skilled Occupation List Mistakes

• using an old occupation list;
• assuming there is one universal Skilled Occupation List;
• using ANZSCO 2013 when the visa requires ANZSCO 2022;
• using ANZSCO 2022 when the visa still uses ANZSCO 2013;
• choosing an occupation by job title rather than duties;
• assuming CSOL means eligibility for subclass 189;
• assuming MLTSSL automatically means a realistic invitation;
• assuming every occupation needs the same skills assessment;
• ignoring occupation caveats;
• assuming federal eligibility guarantees state nomination;
• assuming a DAMA occupation can be used without an employer;
• using the former TSS short-term and medium-term stream rules;
• relying on obsolete PMSOL material;
• assuming being in a shortage occupation guarantees faster visa processing;
• assuming an eligible occupation guarantees permanent residence; and
• failing to check whether the occupation still fits the applicant’s actual duties.

Skilled Occupation List FAQs

Is there one Skilled Occupation List for Australia?

No. Australia uses several occupation lists and visa-specific occupation frameworks, including the CSOL, MLTSSL, STSOL and ROL, together with state, territory and DAMA occupation settings.

What is the CSOL?

The Core Skills Occupation List is used for the subclass 482 Core Skills stream and is also relevant to subclass 186 Direct Entry.

Does the subclass 189 use the CSOL?

No. The subclass 189 points-tested pathway operates under the relevant skilled occupation framework rather than the subclass 482 CSOL.

What ANZSCO version does subclass 482 use?

Home Affairs currently uses ANZSCO 2022 for subclass 482 and subclass 186.

What ANZSCO version does subclass 189 use?

Home Affairs currently uses ANZSCO 2013 for skilled visa subclasses other than 186 and 482, including occupations on the MLTSSL, STSOL and ROL.

Does being on the list mean I can migrate?

No. Occupation eligibility is only one requirement. You must still satisfy the visa’s other criteria.

Does 65 points guarantee an invitation?

No. Sixty-five points is the statutory minimum for relevant points-tested visas, but actual invitation competitiveness can be substantially higher and varies by occupation and program.

Can I choose a different ANZSCO occupation if it gives me a better pathway?

Only where that occupation genuinely reflects your work and the evidence supports it. Occupation selection should not be engineered around the desired visa outcome.

Can an occupation appear on more than one list?

Yes. An occupation may be relevant to several visa pathways and occupation lists.

Can states use their own occupation priorities?

Yes. States and territories operate nomination programs with their own occupation and eligibility settings within the federal framework.

Can DAMA provide occupations not available under the normal lists?

Potentially. DAMAs can provide occupation access and concessions that differ from standard programs, but the pathway requires an eligible regional employer and the relevant agreement process.

Related Skilled Migration Guides

• 
  Skilled Visa Australia — 189, 190 and 491
  
• 
  SkillSelect Australia — EOI and Invitation Guide
  
• 
  VETASSESS Skills Assessment Australia
  
• 
  Employer-Sponsored Visas Australia
  
• 
  482 Skills in Demand Visa
  
• 
  494 Regional Employer Sponsorship
  
• 
  DAMA Visa Australia
  
• 
  DAMA Concessions Australia
  
• 
  Australia Immigration Criteria
  

Official Skilled Occupation Search

The current occupation status, ANZSCO version, eligible visa subclasses, assessing authority and caveats should always be checked against the current Department of Home Affairs skilled occupation search before acting on an occupation.

Department of Home Affairs — Skilled Occupation List

This information is general in nature and does not constitute migration advice for your individual circumstances. Skilled occupation lists, ANZSCO classifications, state nomination settings and visa criteria can change, and eligibility should be checked against the requirements operating at the relevant time.