Australia Skilled Occupation List: Eligible Jobs and How to Check Your Occupation

Are you planning to work in Australia as a foreign professional or skilled worker? One of the most important steps before applying for an Australian skilled migration pathway is checking whether your occupation is eligible for the visa you are considering. Australia does not use one universal list that automatically makes every occupation eligible for every skilled visa. Instead, different visa programs can use different occupation lists, requirements and conditions. The Australian Department of Home Affairs explains that the skilled occupation system identifies occupations, ANZSCO codes, applicable caveats and relevant skills-assessing authorities.

For employers recruiting overseas workers, understanding this distinction is equally important. A job title alone does not determine whether an overseas applicant qualifies for a skilled visa. The worker’s actual duties, qualifications, experience, skills assessment, English-language ability and the employer’s sponsorship or nomination requirements may all be relevant. In 2026, the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) is particularly important for the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) Core Skills stream, while other skilled visa pathways continue to use their applicable occupation lists and legislative instruments.

What Is the Australia Skilled Occupation List?

The Australian skilled occupation system is used to identify occupations that may be eligible for particular skilled migration and employer-sponsored visa programs. The Department of Home Affairs currently publishes a combined skilled occupation list containing information such as occupation names, ANZSCO codes, caveats, applicable lists and skills-assessing authorities. However, applicants must check the occupation against the specific visa they intend to apply for rather than assuming that an occupation is eligible for every skilled pathway.

The occupation system is closely connected to the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO). ANZSCO assigns occupation codes and provides information about the skill level, qualifications and experience generally associated with different occupations.

For some current visa programs, Australia uses different ANZSCO versions. The Department of Home Affairs states that the 2022 ANZSCO version applies to the Employer Nomination Scheme subclass 186 and Skills in Demand subclass 482, while the 2013 version is used for several other skilled visa subclasses.

This distinction matters when an applicant’s job title appears similar to an occupation on a list. The correct occupation should reflect the person’s actual duties and responsibilities rather than simply choosing the occupation with the most attractive visa outcome.

Examples of Skilled Jobs Eligible for Australian Migration Pathways

The range of occupations appearing in Australia’s skilled occupation system is broad. Depending on the visa and applicable list, opportunities can include professional occupations, healthcare roles, information technology, engineering, construction, trades, management, agriculture and other specialised occupations.

Examples of occupations that appear in Australia’s current skilled occupation framework include:

• Registered Nurses
• Software and Applications Programmers
• Accountants
• Engineers
• ICT Business and Systems Analysts
• Motor Mechanics
• Chefs
• Cooks
• Welding Trades Workers
• Mechanical Engineering Draftspersons and Technicians
• Marketing Professionals
• Management and Organisation Analysts
• Child Carers
• ICT Support and Test Engineers

These are examples rather than a complete list. The relevant occupation, visa, assessing authority and eligibility requirements should always be checked before an applicant relies on a particular occupation for migration purposes.

Recent Department of Home Affairs data also shows that occupations such as chefs, general practitioners and resident medical officers, motor mechanics, software and applications programmers, nursing support and personal care workers, registered nurses, accountants, cooks and structural steel and welding trades workers have featured among occupations nominated for temporary skilled visas.

How to Check if Your Occupation Is on the Skilled Occupation List

Checking your occupation should be one of the first steps before applying for a skilled Australian job or migration pathway. The process can be completed using the Australian Government’s official skilled occupation information.

Step 1: Identify Your Actual Occupation

Start with the work you actually perform. Do not choose an occupation simply because its title sounds similar to your current job.

For example, someone working as a software developer should examine the duties associated with the relevant software and applications programmer occupation rather than selecting a completely different ICT occupation merely because it appears on a preferred visa list.

Step 2: Find the ANZSCO Code

Each occupation is associated with an ANZSCO code. The code helps Australian authorities distinguish between occupations that may have similar job titles but different responsibilities.

Employers should also compare the applicant’s duties with the occupation description. A mismatch between the nominated occupation and the actual position can create problems during the nomination or visa process.

Step 3: Check the Visa You Want

This is one of the most important steps. Different Australian visas can have different occupation requirements.

For example, the Department of Home Affairs identifies skilled occupation information relevant to visas including subclass 186, subclass 189, subclass 190, subclass 482, subclass 491 and subclass 494. The applicable occupation list depends on the particular visa program.

Step 4: Check the Skills Assessing Authority

Some skilled migration pathways require applicants to obtain a skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority before proceeding with their visa application.

The assessing authority varies by occupation. Therefore, applicants should identify the authority listed against their occupation and review its requirements for qualifications, employment history and supporting evidence.

Step 5: Read Any Caveats

Finding your occupation on a list is not the end of the process. Some occupations have caveats that restrict how or when the occupation can be used for particular visa purposes.

The Department of Home Affairs specifically advises applicants to consider the caveats attached to occupations and the applicable visa requirements.

Step 6: Check the Remaining Visa Requirements

An eligible occupation does not guarantee a visa. Depending on the pathway, an applicant may need to meet requirements involving age, English proficiency, qualifications, skilled employment, points, health, character, sponsorship or nomination.

For points-tested subclasses 189, 190 and 491, applicants submit an Expression of Interest through SkillSelect. The Department of Home Affairs states that the minimum points threshold is 65, but meeting that threshold does not guarantee an invitation to apply.

Entry-level skills and experience required

Not every occupation on a skilled occupation list requires the same level of experience or qualifications. The requirements depend on the occupation, visa pathway and relevant assessing authority. Some professional occupations may require a university qualification and professional registration, while certain trade occupations may rely more heavily on recognised trade qualifications and practical experience.

For employers, the key issue is whether the applicant genuinely possesses the skills needed to perform the nominated position. A job title by itself is not enough. Employers should prepare an accurate position description showing the main duties, required qualifications, experience and skill level associated with the role.

Entry-level applicants should also understand that being new to an occupation is different from being eligible for a skilled migration pathway. Some occupations may have minimum experience or skills-assessment requirements, while others may offer different routes depending on the visa program. Applicants should therefore check the requirements for their exact occupation instead of assuming that a short training course automatically qualifies them for skilled migration.

For workers without university degrees, skilled trades can provide another area to investigate. Depending on the occupation, relevant experience, trade qualifications, licensing and skills assessment may be important. Employers recruiting overseas tradespeople should verify certificates and practical experience before proceeding with a nomination or employment offer.

English-language requirements can also be relevant. Depending on the visa, applicants may need to demonstrate a specified level of English unless an exemption applies. Applicants should check the current requirements for their specific visa rather than relying on outdated information published on third-party websites.

Australian labour-market information can help applicants understand occupations and earnings, but Jobs and Skills Australia warns that labour-market conditions change and that people should not choose a career solely because an occupation is currently considered to have a shortage.

Regions with the Highest Payment: Structures

Australia does not have one official national ranking that guarantees the highest salary simply because a worker lives in a particular state or territory. Pay varies according to occupation, employer, experience, industry, overtime, location and employment agreement. However, major employment markets can offer strong earning opportunities in particular sectors.

For immigrants comparing destinations, the following five locations are useful starting points. The payment structure described below refers to the types of employment and remuneration commonly found in each market rather than a guaranteed regional salary.

1. Western Australia (WA)
   Western Australia is particularly important for mining, resources, engineering, construction and skilled trades. Payment structures may include base salary plus allowances, overtime, site allowances or roster-related benefits depending on the employer and position.
2. New South Wales (NSW)
   NSW, particularly Sydney and surrounding employment centres, has a broad professional labour market covering finance, technology, healthcare, construction and professional services. Salaries are commonly structured as annual salaries or hourly rates, with additional benefits depending on the employer.
3. Victoria (VIC)
   Victoria has strong employment markets in healthcare, education, manufacturing, construction, technology and professional services. Employees may be paid an annual salary or hourly rate, while award conditions or enterprise agreements can affect minimum rates and allowances.
4. Queensland (QLD)
   Queensland offers opportunities across healthcare, construction, resources, tourism, hospitality, agriculture and trades. Pay structures can include hourly wages, annual salaries, penalty rates, overtime and industry-specific allowances.
5. South Australia (SA)
   South Australia has employment opportunities in healthcare, defence, manufacturing, construction, engineering, agriculture and skilled trades. Depending on the role, workers may receive an annual salary or hourly remuneration supplemented by overtime or other applicable allowances.

Employers and overseas applicants should remember that a higher advertised salary does not necessarily mean a higher standard of living. Housing, transport, taxation and other living costs can differ significantly between Australian cities and regions.

Salary Expectations for Immigrants

Foreign workers should not assume that there is a separate salary scale simply because they are immigrants. Pay should depend on the occupation, experience, employment arrangement and applicable workplace rules. Jobs and Skills Australia reports a median weekly full-time earning figure of $1,852 across Australian employment based on its current published data, while individual occupations can vary substantially.

Occupation	Indicative Median Weekly Earnings	Approx. Annual Equivalent*	Typical Sector
Construction Managers	$3,751	$195,052	Construction
Accountants	$2,003	$104,156	Finance & Professional Services
Actuaries, Mathematicians & Statisticians	$2,072	$107,744	Finance, Technology & Professional Services
Actors, Dancers & Other Entertainers	$1,692	$87,984	Creative Industries
Accounting Clerks	$1,442	$74,984	Finance & Administration
Sales Assistants (General)	$1,241	$64,532	Retail
All Australian Employment	$1,852	$96,304	All Industries

*Annual equivalents are calculated by multiplying the weekly figure by 52 and are provided only as a simple comparison. Actual annual income can differ because of working arrangements, leave, overtime, bonuses, allowances and other factors.

Jobs and Skills Australia’s occupation data is based on Australian labour-market statistics and provides useful benchmarks for comparing occupations. Its published median weekly earnings figures refer to full-time non-managerial employees paid at the adult rate before tax and salary-sacrificed amounts, and the agency cautions that the figures are a guide rather than a guaranteed wage for an individual worker.

Applicants should also check the relevant award, enterprise agreement or employment contract when evaluating a job offer. The Fair Work Ombudsman provides pay guides showing minimum rates and applicable allowances and penalty rates for employees covered by awards.

Important Difference Between an Eligible Occupation and an Eligible Applicant

One of the biggest mistakes made by overseas job seekers is assuming that an occupation appearing on Australia’s skilled occupation system means that anyone working in that occupation can automatically obtain a visa.

That is not how the system works.

An applicant may have an eligible occupation but still fail to meet another visa requirement. For example, the person may not meet the relevant English requirement, may not have the required skills assessment, may not have sufficient points for a points-tested pathway, or may not have the required employer nomination or sponsorship.

Similarly, an Australian employer may have a genuine vacancy but not be able to sponsor a particular overseas worker under the desired visa pathway.

This is why employers should assess the position, occupation, worker and visa pathway together before making an employment or sponsorship decision.

Australia Skilled Occupation List: Key Points for 2026

• There is no single occupation list that automatically applies to every Australian skilled visa.
• Different visa programs can use different occupation lists and eligibility requirements.
• The occupation must accurately reflect the applicant’s actual work and responsibilities.
• ANZSCO codes are used in the skilled occupation framework, with different ANZSCO versions applying to different visa programs.
• Some occupations have caveats that can restrict their use for particular visa pathways.
• Some occupations require a skills assessment by a relevant assessing authority.
• Points-tested visas such as subclasses 189, 190 and 491 involve SkillSelect and an Expression of Interest.
• Meeting the minimum points threshold does not guarantee an invitation.
• Regional pathways can provide access to a broader range of occupations than some metropolitan pathways.
• Salary expectations vary considerably by occupation, location, experience and employer.

Conclusion

The Australia Skilled Occupation List is an important starting point for foreign workers and Australian employers involved in skilled migration, but it should never be treated as a guarantee of employment or visa approval. The correct approach is to identify the applicant’s actual occupation, locate the relevant ANZSCO code, determine which visa pathway is being considered and then check the occupation’s eligibility, caveats, assessing authority and other visa requirements.

For immigrants, preparation is particularly important. A strong application should be supported by genuine qualifications, relevant work experience, accurate employment evidence and any required skills assessment or professional registration. Employers should similarly ensure that the nominated position genuinely matches the occupation and that the recruitment and sponsorship process complies with Australian requirements.

Because Australian immigration rules and labour-market conditions can change, applicants should verify current information through the Australian Department of Home Affairs skilled occupation information before applying. Salary and labour-market information can be cross-checked through Jobs and Skills Australia, while employment pay and workplace entitlements can be checked through the Fair Work Ombudsman.

Remember: an eligible occupation is only one part of the Australian skilled migration process. Always check the complete visa requirements that apply to your individual circumstances before making an employment, sponsorship or migration decision.