Your occupation determines your entire Australian migration journey. The skilled occupation lists decide which visas you can apply for, your pathway to permanent residency, and even your processing priority.
Major changes in December 2024 introduced the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), expanding opportunities to 456 occupations. Understanding these lists is crucial after calculating your points with our Australia PR Points Calculator.
Understanding Australia's Occupation Lists
The Department of Home Affairs maintains four primary occupation lists that determine visa eligibility:
Current Lists Structure (2025)
- CSOL - Core Skills Occupation List (456 occupations)
- MLTSSL - Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (212 occupations)
- STSOL - Short-term Skilled Occupation List (215 occupations)
- ROL - Regional Occupation List (77 additional occupations)
Each list opens different visa pathways with varying routes to permanent residency.
Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) - New in 2024
The CSOL replaced previous lists for the Skills in Demand visa (formerly 482) and 186 Direct Entry stream.
Key Features:
- Total occupations: 456
- Combines: Previous MLTSSL and STSOL occupations
- Pathway: Direct permanent residency via 186
- ANZSCO version: 2022
Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)
The MLTSSL includes occupations in high demand for long-term economic needs.
Visa Options:
- 189 Skilled Independent (Direct PR)
- 190 State Nominated (Direct PR)
- 491 Regional Skilled (Provisional)
- 485 Temporary Graduate
Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL)
STSOL targets immediate skill shortages with limited permanent residency pathways.
Visa Options:
- 190 State Nominated (if state lists)
- 491 Regional Skilled
- Skills in Demand (Core Skills stream)
- No 189 eligibility
Regional Occupation List (ROL)
ROL provides additional occupations exclusively for regional Australia.
Exclusive Benefits:
- 491 visa eligibility
- 494 employer sponsored regional
- Lower competition
- 15 extra points for regional nomination
Occupation List Updates and Changes
Quarterly Review Schedule:
- March: Major annual update
- June: Mid-year adjustments
- September: Spring review
- December: End-year changes
Recent Significant Changes:
- CSOL Introduction: 240 new occupations added
- Healthcare Priority: Fast-track processing
- Trade Expansions: Construction sector focus
- Tech Additions: Cybersecurity specialists
Finding Your Occupation
Step 1: Check ANZSCO Code
Every occupation has a 6-digit ANZSCO code. Find yours through:
- Official ANZSCO search
- Skills assessment body
- Professional associations
- Migration agents
Step 2: Verify List Placement
Same occupation may appear on multiple lists:
- Check all eligible lists
- Compare visa options
- Consider state variations
- Evaluate PR pathways
Step 3: Understand Caveats
Some occupations have restrictions:
- Minimum experience requirements
- Specific employer conditions
- Regional limitations
- Excluded visa streams
Skills Assessment Requirements
Before applying, you need positive skills assessment from the designated authority:
Assessment Priorities:
- Qualification recognition
- Work experience verification
- English language proof
- Professional registration
State Variations and Opportunities
States maintain their own occupation priorities:
NSW Preferences:
- Healthcare workers
- Engineers
- ICT professionals
- Construction trades
Victoria Focus:
- Health sector
- Education
- Digital economy
- Clean energy
Queensland Priorities:
- Healthcare
- Engineering
- Agriculture
- Tourism (regional)
South Australia:
- High-tech industries
- Defense sector
- Wine industry
- Creative industries
Strategic Occupation Selection
For Fast PR:
- Choose MLTSSL occupations
- Target healthcare roles
- Consider regional options
- Build superior English scores
For Employer Sponsorship:
- CSOL provides most options
- In-demand trades
- Specialized skills
- Regional employers
For State Nomination:
- Research state priorities
- Match shortage lists
- Consider relocation
- Build local connections
Common Occupation Challenges
High Competition Fields:
- Accountants: Need 95+ points
- ICT Business Analysts: Saturated market
- Marketing Specialists: Limited pathways
Solutions:
- Superior English (PTE 79+)
- Regional pathways
- State sponsorship
- Employer nomination
Removed Occupations:
If your occupation was removed:
- Existing applications continue
- Consider related occupations
- Explore employer sponsorship
- Evaluate regional options
Professional Guidance Benefits
Navigating occupation lists requires expertise:
- Accurate ANZSCO mapping
- Strategic pathway selection
- State opportunity analysis
- Alternative occupation options
Desire Immigration helps identify optimal pathways based on your occupation, with registered migration agent Mrs. Manisha Bhutani providing strategic guidance for complex cases.
Future Outlook
Expected trends for 2025-2026:
- Continued healthcare priority
- Green energy occupations
- Advanced manufacturing
- Digital transformation roles
- Aged care expansion
Stay informed through:
- Quarterly list updates
- Industry announcements
- State migration news
- Professional associations
Key Takeaways
- Know your list: Different lists offer different pathways
- Check quarterly: Lists update regularly
- Consider all options: Same occupation may have multiple routes
- Think strategically: Regional and state options expand opportunities
- Get assessed early: Skills assessment takes months
Your occupation is your key to Australia. Understanding which list includes your profession and available pathways helps you make informed decisions about your migration strategy.
Important: Occupation lists change quarterly. Information current as of July 2025. Verify your occupation status on the official skilled occupation list before applying.
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