Occupation List Australia: 10 Skilled Visa Lists Explained

Your skills might be exactly what Australia needs, but first, you need to check if your profession appears on the occupation list Australia uses to determine visa eligibility. These lists are the foundation of Australia’s skilled migration program, and understanding them is essential before you apply for any work or skilled visa.

Australia maintains multiple occupation lists, each linked to different visa pathways, state nominations, and employer sponsorship options. Whether you’re a registered nurse, engineer, IT professional, or tradesperson, your occupation’s placement on these lists directly affects your visa options and your chances of securing permanent residency.

This guide breaks down the 10 skilled visa lists you need to know in 2026, explaining what each list covers, which visas it connects to, and how to find your occupation. At Simon Mander Consulting, we’ve helped thousands of skilled migrants navigate these lists over 22+ years, and we’ll share the clarity you need to take your next step toward Australia.

1. Occupation list mapping with Simon Mander Consulting

Before you start searching through the occupation list Australia uses for different visa pathways, you can work directly with our migration experts to map your profession to the correct ANZSCO code and determine which visa lists you qualify for. This personalized service saves you hours of research and helps you avoid costly mistakes that could delay or derail your application.

What this option is

Simon Mander Consulting offers occupation list mapping as part of our comprehensive migration assessment service. We review your qualifications, work experience, and career details to identify your correct ANZSCO (Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations) code, then cross-check that code against all relevant visa occupation lists to show you exactly which pathways you qualify for.

This service includes a detailed explanation of your options, the specific visa subclasses available to you, and recommendations tailored to your circumstances. You receive a written report that outlines your eligibility and the next steps you should take.

When it helps the most

Occupation mapping delivers the most value when your role doesn’t have an obvious match on the occupation lists, when your job title differs from standard classifications, or when you hold qualifications from multiple countries. It’s particularly useful if you work in a niche field, have a hybrid role, or need to understand state-specific requirements.

Professional occupation mapping prevents wasted time and money on visa applications for pathways you don’t actually qualify for.

You also benefit from this service if you’re comparing multiple visa options or if you previously received conflicting advice about your eligibility.

What you need to prepare

Gather your complete employment history with detailed job descriptions, responsibilities, and the dates you held each position. Collect all your qualifications, including degrees, diplomas, certificates, and any professional registrations or licenses you hold in your field.

Prepare a summary of your daily tasks and the technologies, tools, or methodologies you use in your current role. The more detail you provide, the more accurate and useful your occupation mapping will be.

What to do after you confirm your occupation

Once you confirm your occupation code and eligible visa lists, you can move forward with confidence. Book a full migration consultation with Simon Mander Consulting to develop your complete visa strategy, or begin gathering the documentation required for your skills assessment and visa application.

Your confirmed occupation code becomes the foundation for everything that follows, from your skills assessment to your points calculation and final visa submission.

2. Home Affairs skilled occupation list portal

The Department of Home Affairs maintains an official online portal where you can search for your occupation across all current visa lists in one place. This portal is your primary reference tool for confirming whether your profession qualifies for skilled migration, and it’s updated whenever occupation lists change or new visa pathways open.

What this list is

The Home Affairs skilled occupation list portal is a searchable database that consolidates multiple occupation lists into a single interface. You can search by occupation name or ANZSCO code to see which visa subclasses your profession qualifies for and what additional requirements apply to each pathway.

This portal includes the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL), Regional Occupation List (ROL), and other specialty lists used for specific visa programs. Each occupation entry shows the relevant visa subclasses and links to detailed requirements.

Visas and pathways that use it

The portal covers skilled independent visas (subclass 189), skilled nominated visas (subclass 190), skilled work regional visas (subclass 491), and employer-sponsored pathways including subclasses 482, 186, and 494. It also references the Core Skills Occupation List used for the Skills in Demand visa program.

The Home Affairs portal is the only source you should trust for official, up-to-date occupation list information.

How to search and confirm the right occupation

Visit the Home Affairs website and navigate to the skilled occupation lists section. Enter your job title or browse by occupation category to locate your ANZSCO code, then verify that your daily responsibilities match the tasks and specializations listed for that occupation.

What to do after you find your occupation

Note which visa subclasses appear next to your occupation and read the specific requirements for each pathway. Compare these options against your qualifications, work experience, and personal circumstances to determine your best visa route before proceeding to a skills assessment.

3. Medium and long-term strategic skills list

The Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) represents the most valuable tier of the occupation list Australia uses for skilled migration. Occupations on this list qualify for the broadest range of visa pathways and offer the clearest route to permanent residency without requiring state sponsorship or regional commitments.

What this list is

The MLTSSL contains occupations that Australia needs to fill long-term skill shortages across critical sectors like healthcare, engineering, IT, and construction. These professions face sustained demand that domestic training cannot meet within a reasonable timeframe, which is why the government prioritizes international workers with these skills.

Occupations on the MLTSSL give you access to the most direct permanent residency pathways available.

Visas and pathways that use it

You can apply for the skilled independent visa (subclass 189) if your occupation appears on the MLTSSL, which grants permanent residency without requiring employer sponsorship or state nomination. The list also supports skilled nominated visas (subclass 190), skilled work regional visas (subclass 491), and employer-sponsored pathways including temporary skill shortage visas (subclass 482) and employer nomination scheme visas (subclass 186).

How to confirm you qualify under the listed occupation

Search the MLTSSL on the Home Affairs portal using your ANZSCO code or occupation title. Review the tasks and specializations listed to verify they match your actual work experience, then check whether any caveats or additional requirements apply to your specific occupation before proceeding.

What to do after you find a match

Apply for your skills assessment through the relevant assessing authority for your occupation. Calculate your points score to determine your competitiveness for subclass 189, or explore state nomination options if you need additional points for permanent residency.

4. Short-term skilled occupation list

The Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) covers professions where Australia needs workers to address temporary skill gaps that are expected to resolve within a few years. While this occupation list Australia maintains offers legitimate visa pathways, it provides more limited options for permanent residency compared to the MLTSSL.

What this list is

The STSOL identifies occupations where Australia faces short-term demand that domestic training or workforce changes will likely address in the near future. These professions qualify for temporary work visas but require additional steps or time before you can transition to permanent residency, making your migration journey longer than if your occupation appeared on the MLTSSL.

Visas and pathways that use it

You can apply for a Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482) under the short-term stream if your occupation appears on the STSOL. This visa grants you two years of work authorization with your sponsoring employer, and you can renew it once if your employer continues to sponsor you and your occupation remains on the list.

The STSOL requires you to work in Australia for three years on a subclass 482 before you become eligible for permanent residency.

After three years, you can apply for the Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186) if your employer nominates you and you continue to meet all requirements.

How to confirm you qualify under the listed occupation

Search the STSOL through the Home Affairs portal using your ANZSCO code and verify that your work experience matches the core tasks listed for that occupation. Check for any additional requirements or caveats that apply specifically to your profession.

What to do after you find a match

Secure an employer sponsor who can nominate you for a subclass 482 visa, then proceed with your skills assessment and visa application. Plan for a longer pathway to permanent residency compared to MLTSSL occupations.

5. Regional occupation list

The Regional Occupation List (ROL) expands your visa options if you’re willing to live and work in regional Australia, which includes everywhere outside Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. This occupation list Australia uses specifically for regional pathways contains professions that regional areas need but that don’t necessarily qualify for visas in major cities.

What this list is

The ROL includes occupations facing skill shortages in regional and rural communities across Australia. Many professions on this list don’t appear on the MLTSSL or STSOL, giving you additional visa pathways that wouldn’t be available if you insisted on settling in a capital city. Regional employers use this list to sponsor workers they cannot find locally.

Visas and pathways that use it

You can access the skilled work regional visa (subclass 491) if your occupation appears on the ROL and you receive state or territory nomination from a regional area. The ROL also supports regional employer-sponsored visas like the subclass 494, which allows regional employers to sponsor workers for up to five years with a pathway to permanent residency.

The ROL gives you visa options that don’t exist if your occupation only appears on the STSOL.

How to confirm your role fits regional rules

Search the ROL through the Home Affairs portal and verify your ANZSCO code matches the listed occupation. Check which regional areas specifically need your profession, as some states impose additional requirements or restrictions on certain occupations even when they appear on the ROL.

What to do after you find a match

Research which regional areas actively sponsor your occupation and explore their specific nomination requirements. Apply for your skills assessment and begin gathering evidence of your qualifications and experience before contacting regional employers or state nomination programs.

6. Core skills occupation list for Skills in Demand

The Core Skills Occupation List represents a specialized tier within the occupation list Australia introduced through the Skills in Demand visa program in late 2024. This list focuses on occupations that face critical shortages and receive priority processing and additional benefits that other occupation lists don’t offer, making it particularly valuable if your profession qualifies.

What this list is

The Core Skills Occupation List identifies professions across healthcare, technology, construction, and engineering where Australia needs workers immediately to support economic growth and infrastructure development. Unlike traditional occupation lists that simply determine eligibility, this list provides accelerated pathways and fee reductions for applicants who qualify under its terms.

Occupations on this list receive faster processing times and access to streamlined visa requirements compared to the same occupations processed through other pathways. Your application moves through a priority queue if your profession appears on the Core Skills list.

Visas and pathways that use it

You can apply through the Skills in Demand visa program, which replaced several older visa subclasses and offers both temporary and permanent pathways. The Core Skills list also integrates with state nomination programs that fast-track processing for occupations facing acute shortages in their regions.

The Core Skills Occupation List gives you shorter wait times and lower application fees compared to standard skilled migration pathways.

How to confirm your occupation and requirements

Search the Core Skills Occupation List through the Home Affairs portal using your ANZSCO code and verify that your qualifications meet the specific requirements listed for your occupation, which may include additional certifications or experience thresholds beyond standard skills assessments.

What to do after you find a match

Submit your skills assessment application and gather evidence demonstrating you meet all Core Skills requirements, including any additional criteria your occupation requires. Prepare your complete documentation before lodging to maximize the priority processing benefits this list provides.

7. Employer sponsored lists for subclass 186 and 494

Employer-sponsored visas use distinct occupation lists that differ from the lists used for skilled independent migration, and understanding which list applies to your specific visa subclass determines whether your employer can nominate you for permanent or provisional residency. These lists align with employer needs in both metropolitan and regional areas, giving you pathways that don’t depend on points calculations.

What these lists are

The MLTSSL and STSOL both apply to subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme) applications, but with different pathways and requirements. Subclass 494 (Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional) uses the ROL exclusively, which means you can only access this visa if your occupation appears on the Regional Occupation List and your employer operates in a designated regional area.

Employer-sponsored pathways often provide your fastest route to permanent residency if your occupation qualifies and you secure nomination.

Visas and pathways that use them

Your employer can nominate you for subclass 186 if your occupation appears on the MLTSSL or STSOL, with the direct entry stream requiring MLTSSL occupations and the temporary residence transition stream accepting both lists after you complete three years of work. Subclass 494 requires your occupation to appear on the ROL and commits you to working in regional Australia.

How employers and applicants should check eligibility

Search the occupation list australia maintains for employer sponsorship through the Home Affairs portal using your ANZSCO code, then verify your employer’s business location qualifies for the visa subclass you’re targeting. Confirm your employer meets the sponsorship requirements before proceeding with nomination.

What to do after you find a match

Secure written confirmation from your employer that they will nominate you for the appropriate visa subclass. Complete your skills assessment and gather all required documentation, including evidence of your work experience and English language proficiency, before your employer lodges the nomination application.

8. State and territory nomination occupation lists

Each Australian state and territory maintains its own occupation list that operates alongside the national lists, and these state-specific lists often include professions that don’t qualify for federal pathways. Your occupation might not appear on the MLTSSL or STSOL, but state nomination through these specialized lists can still give you a viable route to permanent residency if you’re willing to commit to living and working in a specific state.

What these lists are

State and territory nomination occupation lists identify professions that each jurisdiction needs to support its local economy and address specific skill shortages that differ from national priorities. South Australia might prioritize healthcare workers while Western Australia focuses on mining engineers, and these variations create additional opportunities that the standard occupation list australia maintains at the federal level doesn’t provide.

Each state publishes its list independently and updates it based on labor market data specific to that region. Your occupation might qualify in multiple states or only in one, depending on regional demand.

Visas and pathways that use them

You can access the skilled nominated visa (subclass 190) if a state nominates you based on its occupation list, which grants you permanent residency with a commitment to live in that state for two years. States also use their lists for subclass 491 nominations, which requires you to live and work in the nominating region for three years before transitioning to permanent residency.

State nomination adds five to fifteen points to your skilled migration application, which can make the difference between qualifying and falling short.

How to check state requirements and caveats

Visit each state’s official migration website and review their current occupation lists to confirm your profession qualifies. Check whether the state imposes additional requirements such as minimum work experience, specific qualifications, or job offers that go beyond federal standards for your occupation.

What to do after you find a match

Submit an expression of interest through the state’s nomination portal and prepare evidence demonstrating you meet all state-specific requirements. Complete your skills assessment and gather documentation showing your commitment to settling in that state before the nomination authority reviews your application.

9. Designated area migration agreement lists

Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMAs) create customized occupation lists for specific regions across Australia that face unique workforce shortages their local labor markets cannot resolve. These agreements between the Australian Government and regional authorities allow you to access visa pathways for occupations that don’t appear on any standard occupation list australia maintains at the national level, opening opportunities in towns and regions where employers desperately need your skills.

What these lists are

DAMAs establish region-specific occupation lists negotiated between local industry, regional development authorities, and the Department of Home Affairs to address critical shortages in particular geographic areas. The Northern Territory DAMA, Great South Coast DAMA, and Pilbara DAMA each contain different occupations based on what those regions need, and the lists can include entry-level positions and trades that wouldn’t qualify under standard skilled migration requirements.

These agreements also allow for relaxed visa criteria such as lower English language requirements, reduced work experience thresholds, and age concessions that give you pathways you couldn’t access through traditional occupation lists.

Visas and pathways that use them

You can apply for the Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482) through a DAMA if an employer in the designated area nominates you for an occupation on that region’s DAMA list. After working in the region, you can transition to permanent residency through the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) if you meet the DAMA’s specific permanent residency criteria.

DAMA pathways can give you visa eligibility even when your occupation doesn’t qualify anywhere else in Australia.

How to confirm eligibility in a specific region

Search for active DAMAs on the Department of Home Affairs website and review the occupation list published for each designated area to verify your profession qualifies. Contact employers in those regions or regional migration agents who specialize in DAMA applications to confirm the current requirements and nomination process.

What to do after you find a match

Secure an employer sponsor within the designated area who operates under the DAMA and can nominate you for the specific occupation. Prepare evidence demonstrating you meet the DAMA’s requirements, which may differ from standard visa criteria, before your employer lodges the nomination application.

10. Jobs and Skills Australia occupation shortage list

Jobs and Skills Australia publishes a national skills priority list that tracks occupation shortages across the economy, but this list serves a different purpose than the visa occupation list australia uses to determine migration eligibility. Understanding how this list works helps you make informed decisions about your career path and migration strategy, even though it doesn’t directly grant you visa access.

What this list is

Jobs and Skills Australia maintains a research-based assessment of occupations facing workforce shortages across the country, updated regularly based on labor market data, employer surveys, and economic forecasts. This list identifies professions where demand exceeds supply but doesn’t automatically translate into visa eligibility or guarantee that your occupation will appear on migration occupation lists.

How it differs from visa occupation lists

The Jobs and Skills Australia list focuses on labor market analysis rather than migration policy, which means occupations appearing here might not qualify you for any visa pathway. The government uses this research to inform visa occupation lists, but the two systems operate independently and serve different policy objectives.

The skills priority list shows you where Australia needs workers, but only visa occupation lists determine whether you can actually migrate.

How to use it to plan your migration pathway

Review the Jobs and Skills Australia list to identify emerging skill shortages that might lead to future additions to visa occupation lists. This forward-looking approach helps you understand which professions will likely remain in demand and whether retraining in a shortage occupation might improve your migration prospects.

What to do after you use it for direction

Cross-reference occupations from the skills priority list against current visa occupation lists to determine which shortage occupations already offer migration pathways. Use this comparison to guide career development decisions and identify professions where gaining additional qualifications could open new visa options.

Where to go from here

You now understand how the occupation list Australia maintains across different visa pathways affects your migration options. Each list serves a specific purpose, from the MLTSSL’s direct permanent residency pathways to state nomination lists that open regional opportunities your profession wouldn’t qualify for at the federal level.

Your next step depends on where your occupation appears and which visa pathway aligns with your personal circumstances. If you need clarity on which list applies to your situation, or if you want to confirm your occupation code matches your actual work experience, professional guidance prevents costly mistakes that could delay your application by months or years.

Simon Mander Consulting has helped thousands of skilled migrants navigate these occupation lists over 22+ years of practice. We provide clear answers about your eligibility and build personalized migration strategies based on your qualifications and goals. Book a migration consultation to confirm your pathway and start your application with confidence.