The Australia Skilled Occupation List is a list of occupations that highlights the most in-demand occupations in Australia's various regions and states. It is part of a system based on points for Australian immigration. Skilled workers interested in relocating to and working in Australia must choose or nominate a specific occupation. This occupation must align with the experience and skills of the candidate from the CSOL (Consolidated Sponsored Occupation List).
Suppose you wish to apply for an Australia PR visa through General Skilled Immigration and do not have a nomination from any territory or state in Australia. In that case, you must select an occupation from the SOL. The Department of Home Affairs in Australia updates the SOL per the dynamic demands of the labor market in the nation every year. The purpose of updating is to ensure that the arrival of skilled migrants is based purely on the latest needs of the workforce and economy in Australia.
What is on the Skilled Occupation List?
The SOL for Australia consists of occupations that employers in Australia highly demand. It is intended for qualified and skilled workers looking for long-term and short-term skilled jobs in Australia. The list is a blend of occupations mentioned in the STSOL and MLTSSL.
The Australia Skilled Occupation List lists eligible occupations for various Australia Visa types. Individuals qualified for working or training in an eligible skilled occupation in Australia and fulfilling other specified requirements can obtain these visas.
The SOL is a combination of all skilled eligible occupations in Australia, which include the following:
- ANZSCO (Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations Code) for every occupation offers details regarding the skill level of the jobs, credentials, and/or experience required for working in the occupations.
- If the occupation is on the MLTSSL (Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List), STSOL (Short-Term Skilled Occupation List), ROL (Regional Occupation List), or RSMS ROL (Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme Regional Occupation List), it is specified.
- The assessment authority for skill evaluation
- conditions that exclude the usage of occupation in specific circumstances, applicable only for TSS and ENS visas.
MLTSSL (Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List): You must nominate an occupation from this list to become eligible for skilled immigration.
STSOL (Short Term Skilled Occupation List): If you wish to apply for a nomination from a Territory or State in Australia, your occupation must be on this list.
RSMS ROL: This is a list of different occupations only applicable to RSMS visas.
The following Australia visas are available for candidates who are qualified to train or work in an eligible skilled occupation in Australia and can fulfill all other criteria:
- RSMS (Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme) Subclass 187 Visa
- Points-tested stream: Skilled Independent Subclass 189 Visa
- Training Subclass 407 Visa
- TSS (Temporary Skill Shortage) Subclass 482 Visa
- Provisional Graduate Subclass 485 Work Visa
- Provisional Skilled Regional Subclass 489 Visa
- Provisional Employer-Sponsored Skilled Regional Subclass 494 Visa
In general, to qualify for the above Australia visas, you must:
- Be more than 18 and below 45 (except for the Provisional Graduate Subclass 485 Work Visa, which permits applicants below 50 to apply).
- Receive an invitation to apply.
- Score the required points.
- Fulfill the skill or study requirements.
- Have work experience in the skilled occupation.
- Be proficient in English at a competent level.
- Fulfill the character requirements.
- Fulfill the health requirements.
Why do you need to know about occupation lists?
Aspiring skilled immigration candidates to Australia must be aware of the following occupation lists:
- The occupational lists include the most in-demand occupations in the country.
- The Government of Australia, in collaboration with the regional labor markets, identifies the needs of the employers and announces the lists accordingly.
- The occupation of the skilled workers seeking to immigrate to Australia through the skilled worker stream must be present in these lists.
- The experience and education of the applicants must apply to the occupations on the lists.
- For consideration, the applicants can at least select an occupation most similar to their earlier work profile, as this enhances the chances of successful immigration.
- The occupation lists are regularly updated for skills by the authorities in Australia.
- Recently, new norms and occupational lists for immigration have been announced.
- The authorities have further streamlined the immigration regulations in Australia.
- Australia develops immigration policies based on industry demand for skilled workers and the availability of native workers.
- The immigration regulations are devised with the clear objective of improving the economy of Australia.
What is the importance of the Skilled Occupation List?
The skilled occupation list (SOL) is critical for all skilled immigration category candidates to Australia. All aspiring applicants under the General Skilled Immigration Visa must nominate and select an occupation from Australia's appropriate SOL.
To apply for an Australia PR Visa, you must select and nominate an appropriate occupation from the SOL. There are diverse sub-categories of visas under the Australia PR Visa through which you can immigrate to the nation.
You must ensure that you choose the suitable occupation that perfectly matches your verifiable work experience and skill set after carefully examining the SOL. The occupation you choose will significantly impact the success of your Australia PR Visa application.
What happens if my occupation is removed from the SOL for Australia?
If you have submitted your Australia visa application and are awaiting nomination, you should be fine if your desired occupation is not on the Australia Skilled Occupation List. The removal of your occupation from the SOL will not have an impact on your application's processing.
The same holds if you have a perfect hold on the Australia Skilled Immigration Visa. The exceptions are cases when you need to make changes to your application that necessitate submitting a new Visa application.
Removing your occupation from the SOL will also affect your application if you wish to change employers.
New PSOL 2023: Priority Skilled Occupation List
ANZSCO Code | Occupations |
111111 | Managing Director or Chief Executive |
133111 | Project Manager, Construction |
233512 | Engineer, Mechanical |
253111 | Practitioner (General) |
253112 | Medical Officer-RResident |
253411 | Psychiatrist |
253999 | Practitioner (Medical) |
254111 | Midwife |
254412 | Registered Nurse in Aged Care |
254415 | critical care and emergency registered nurse |
254418 | Registered Nurse in Medicine |
254422 | Mental Health Registered Nurse |
254423 | preoperative registered nurse |
254499 | NEC Registered Nurses |
261312 | Developer Programmer |
261313 | Engineer, Software |
312911 | Maintenance Planner |
The above list of occupations applies to employer-sponsored subclasses like:
- TSS (Temporary Skill Shortage) Subclass 482 Visa
- Provisional Employer-Sponsored Skilled Regional Subclass 494 Visa
- ENS: Employer Nomination Scheme Subclass 186 Visa
- RSMS (Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme) Subclass 187 Visa
It is not applicable for immigration candidates who apply through the following visa streams:
- Skilled Independent Subclass 189 Visa
- Skilled Nominee Subclass 190 Visa
- Provisional Skilled Regional Work Subclass 491 Visa
Australia's Skilled Occupation List highlights some of the in-demand occupations:
Occupation | Assessing Authority | ANZSCO Code | List |
NEC Hospitality and Accommodation Managers | VETASSESS | 141999 | STSOL |
General Accountant | CAANZ, CPAA, IPA | 221111 | MLTSSL |
Actuary | VETASSESS | 224111 | MLTSSL |
Acupuncturist | Chinese Medicine Board of Australia | 252211 | STSOL |
Manager, Advertising | AIM | 131113 | STSOL |
Specialist: advertising | VETASSESS | 225111 | STSOL |
Engineer, Aeronautical | Engineers Australia | 233911 | MLTSSL |
Airplane Pilot | CASA | 231111 | Regional |
Consultant, Agricultural | VETASSESS | 234111 | MLTSSL |
Engineer, Agricultural | Engineers Australia | 233912 | MLTSSL |
Scientist, Agricultural | VETASSESS | 234112 | MLTSSL |
Technician, Agricultural | VETASSESS | 311111 | Regional |
Plumber for Mechanical Services and Air Conditioning | TRA | 334112 | MLTSSL |
Mechanic for Refrigeration and Air Conditioning | TRA | 342111 | MLTSSL |
Aircraft Maintenance Engineer | TRA | 323111 | STSOL |
Mechanical Avionics Engineer - Aircraft Maintenance | TRA | 323112 | STSOL |
Structures Engineer, Aircraft Maintenance | TRA | 323113 | STSOL |
Ambulance Officer | VETASSESS | 411111 | STSOL |
Manager, Amusement Centre | VETASSESS | 149111 | Regional |
Anesthesia Technician | VETASSESS | 311211 | STSOL |
Anesthetist | Med BA | 253211 | STSOL |
Programmer Analyst | ACS | 261311 | MLTSSL |
Trainers, Animals, and Attendants NEC | VETASSESS | 361199 | STSOL |
Apiarist | VETASSESS | 121311 | STSOL |
Aquaculture Farmer | VETASSESS | 121111 | STSOL |
Arborist | TRA | 362212 | STSOL |
Architect | AACA | 232111 | MLTSSL |
Draftsperson, Architectural | VETASSESS | 312111 | STSOL |
Opportunities in Australia's IT Engineering Sector
Data analysts, data specialists, and IT engineers are in huge demand. If you are a computer engineer with experience in the IT industry, you have multiple opportunities in the Australian IT engineering sector. The IT eligibility criteria for immigration to Australia can be found through ICT.
Software engineers and IT professionals can immigrate to Australia through the Skilled Immigration Program for advanced career growth. If you are a specialist in any area highly demanded in the IT industry in Australia, you have a good chance of getting hired.
Opportunities in Australian non-IT engineering sectors
Engineers seeking opportunities in non-IT sectors also have abundant opportunities if they possess the relevant degree and skill set. Below are a few in-demand engineering professions in Australia:
- Aeronautical Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Biomedical Engineering
- Industrial Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Environmental engineering
Opportunities in Australia Other Engineering Streams
Apart from the IT and non-IT engineering sectors, Australia has plenty of opportunities in other engineering sectors. Geotechnical, Environmental, Electronics, Civil, and Chemical Engineering have several openings for candidates with the right set of skills.
Australia has an assessment of skills for engineers to ensure that they fulfill the standards expected by the industries in the nation. If you apply for immigration, there will be an appropriate assessment of your work experience, prior employment, and educational credentials.
Australian Education Sector: Skilled Worker Opportunities
The education sector in Australia requires educators in universities, schools, and TAFEs, as well as other administrative profiles. The education system in Australia is among the best globally. It consists of the following:
- Primary schools
- Preschools
- Secondary schools
- World-class universities
- Other institutions for skill-building
To apply for an Australia PR Visa, you must have exceptional teaching skills as defined by the industry and English proficiency. The AITSL (Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership) conducts the skills assessment.
Australian Health Care Sector: Skilled Worker Opportunities
The healthcare sector in Australia has a high demand for:
- Therapists
- Doctors
- Physiotherapists
- Nurses
- Other Medical Practitioners
You have excellent job openings with lucrative earning prospects if you are in the medical sector. The healthcare system in Australia is among the best globally, with a high life expectancy.
The eligibility criteria for professionals in the healthcare sector are:
- At least a bachelor's degree in the applicable field
- A minimum of one year of training or work experience in a hospital
- Registration authorization from AHPRA, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulatory Authority