Skilled Occupation Lists Australian Migration

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Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL).

Update on 04 December 2024

Migration Amendment (2024 Measures No. 1) Regulations 2024.

Commencement: 7 December 2024.

The Australian Government announced the release of the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL).

The Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) will apply to the Core Skills stream of the new Skills in Demand visa, of which will replace the Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) visa. The CSOL will also apply to the Direct Entry stream of the permanent Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visa.

The CSOL includes 70 new occupations that were not previously available for the TSS visa, including new occupations in the health, childcare, education, construction and cyber sectors.

The CSOL has more than 450 occupations in sectors such as:

construction
cyber security
agriculture
health.

Key additions include:

Technology and Cybersecurity

Cyber Security Engineer
DevOps Engineer
Data Scientist
Penetration Tester
Cyber Security Analyst

Agriculture and Aquaculture

Aquaculture or Fisheries Scientist
Irrigation Designer
Animal Husbandry Technician

Skilled Trades

Furniture Maker
Fire Protection Plumber
Irrigation Technician

Emerging Roles

Content Creator (Marketing)
Supply Chain Analyst
Regulatory Affairs Manager

Individual Codes for:

Agronomist (previously under Agricultural Scientist).
Respiratory Technician (formerly Medical Technicians NEC).
Tree Worker (previously classified under Arborist).

Occupations Removed from the CSOL

While the CSOL introduces exciting opportunities, several roles from the SOL have been excluded, including:

Café or Restaurant Manager
Fashion Designer
Copywriter
Chiropractor
Nutritionist

The Subclass 482 (Skills in Demand) visa replaces the Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage) visa as of 7 December 2024.

Holders of, the new Skills in Demand (SID) visa will have a pathway to permanent residence through the temporary residence transition (TRT) stream of the subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS), in which all periods of sponsored employment can count towards permanent residence.

Reduce the minimum relevant work experience requirement for applicants for the Skills in Demand visa from two years (the current requirement for the Temporary Skill Shortage visa) to one year of full-time employment, or equivalent, within the five years that immediately preceded the date of the visa application.

The Amendment Regulations provide for all nominations and visa applications for a Temporary Skill Shortage visa made before the commencement of the amendments of the Migration Regulations to be processed using the requirements that were in force at the time that the application was made.

08/12/2024 Update

Occupations not included in the CSOL were not supported by labour market analysis. Applicants may consider other pathways under which these occupations may be available, including the Specialist Skills or Labour Agreement streams of the SID visa.

If the relevant occupation is not on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) or does not qualify for the Specialist Skills stream, the applicant will not have a pathway to change employer. These individuals will be able to utilise the strengthened mobility provisions to find work in a new occupation, apply for another visa or depart Australia. This ensures that the temporary skilled migration system is best targeted at occupations in current demand.

What happens to nominations and visa applications lodged before 07/12/2024

The Amendment Regulations do not operate retrospectively.
The Amendment Regulations provide for all nominations and visa applications for a Temporary Skill Shortage visa made before the commencement of the amendments of the Migration Regulations to be processed using the requirements that were in force at the time that the application was made.

If a nomination has been lodged but no visa before the 07/12/2024

If an employer has lodged a nomination for a Temporary Skill Shortage visa that was not

accompanied by a corresponding application for the visa before the amendments commence, the applicant would be able to “link” this nomination to the new Skills in Demand visa until the original nomination period of 12 months ceases.

The information noted below may be outdated as of 04 12 2024

Visas applicable to the OLD Skilled Occupation Lists PRIOR to December 2024

Visas applicable to the Skilled Occupation Lists

The following visas are available to individuals who are qualified to work or train in an eligible skilled occupation in Australia and can meet all other requirements:

Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa (subclass 186)
Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) visa (subclass 187)*
Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) – Points-tested stream
Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)
Training visa (subclass 407)
Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa (subclass 482)
Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) – Graduate Work
Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489)
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491)
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (provisional) visa (subclass 494).

Skilled occupation has the meaning given by regulation 1.15I.

Reg 1.15I Skilled occupation

A skilled occupation, in relation to a person, means an occupation of a kind:
1. that is specified by the Minister in an instrument in writing to be a skilled occupation; and
2. if a number of points are specified in the instrument as being available — for which the number of points are available; and
3. that is applicable to the person in accordance with the specification of the occupation.
Without limiting subregulation (1), the Minister may specify in the instrument any matter in relation to an occupation, or to a class of persons to which the instrument relates, including:
1. that an occupation is a skilled occupation for a class of persons;
2. that an occupation is a skilled occupation for a person who is nominated by a State or Territory government agency.

Occupations available for the skilled visa and Legislative instruments

The table below provides information on the formal legislative instrument(s) which specify the occupations available for the skilled visa types listed.

Visa Program(s)	Subclasses (streams or types)	Legislative Instrument(s)
Skilled independent visas	Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) – Points-tested stream Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491)	LIN 19/051: Specification of Occupations and Assessing Authorities
Skilled nominated visas	Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491)	LIN 19/051: Specification of Occupations and Assessing Authorities
Employer sponsored visa programs	Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494)	LIN 19/219: Occupations for Subclass 494 Visas LIN 19/260: Assessing Authorities for Subclass 494 Visas
	Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa (subclass 482)	LIN 19/048: Specification of Occupations and Assessing Authorities— Subclass 482 Visa
	Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa (subclass 186)	LIN 19/049: Specification of Occupations and Assessing Authorities—Subclass 186 Visa
	Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) visa (subclass 187)	LIN 19/047: Specification of Occupations — Subclass 187 Visa IMMI 12/096: Specification of Occupations and Assessing Authorities
Other temporary visa programs	Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) – Graduate Work	LIN 19/051: Specification of Occupations and Assessing Authorities
Other temporary visa programs	Training visa (subclass 407)	LIN 19/050: Specification of Occupations—Subclass 407 Visa

Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List

The Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL) identifies 44 occupations which fill critical skills needs to support Australia’s economic recovery from COVID-19. The list is based on expert advice from the National Skills Commission and consultation with Commonwealth departments.

Employer sponsored nomination and visa applications with an occupation on the PMSOL will be given priority processing. All other skilled occupation lists will remain active, but the PMSOL occupations will take priority.

The list is temporary and priority occupations may change as Australia recovers from the pandemic.

The Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List [PMSOL]

The 41 occupations (ANZSCO code) are:

* Indicates occupation added in July 2021

Employer sponsored visa subclasses for PMSOL occupations

Priority processing of nomination and visa applications for PMSOL occupations applies to these employer sponsored visa subclasses:

Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa (subclass 482)
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494)
Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa (subclass 186)
Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) visa (subclass 187)

Top 20 occupations in demand nationally - Australia

No.	Occupation	IVI job ads*
1	Registered Nurses	8,377
2	Software and Applications Programmers	6,269
3	Aged and Disabled Carers	4,642
4	Child Carers	4,277
5	Construction Managers	4,230
6	Motor Mechanics	3,924
7	Retail Managers	3,777
8	Chefs	3,725
9	Generalist Medical Practitioners	3,352
10	Metal Fitters and Machinists	3,137
11	ICT Business and Systems Analysts	3,053
12	Civil Engineering Professionals	2,871
13	Electricians	2,839
14	Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teachers	2,493
15	Contract, Program and Project Administrators	2,392
16	Advertising and Marketing Professionals	2,265
17	Physiotherapists	1,262
18	Gardeners	1,015
19	Mining Engineers	957
20	Database and Systems Administrators, and ICT Security Specialists	942

The Occupation Shortage List (OSL), prepared by Jobs and Skills Australia, highlights the professions currently facing workforce shortages both nationwide and across individual states and territories. Based on the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) 2022, the list features 916 occupations spanning skill levels 1 to 4, which generally correspond to qualifications gained through post-secondary education or vocational training. This list offers valuable insights into Australia’s labour market and provides a solid evidence base for understanding areas of high occupational demand.

The OSL identifies the most in-demand occupations across Australia and within each state and territory.

This official list plays a vital role in skilled migration, education planning, and labour-market policy, offering a clear picture of where skill shortages exist across industries. For individuals exploring career opportunities in Australia or businesses addressing recruitment challenges, the OSL serves as an essential guide to understanding labour-market trends and future workforce demand.

How the Occupation Shortage List Supports Skilled Migration to Australia

The Occupation Shortage List is a critical reference point for Australia’s skilled visa programs, including the Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482), Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186), and Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (subclass 494) visas. These programs can rely on up-to-date labour-market data from Jobs and Skills Australia to determine which occupations are eligible for sponsorship and migration.

By aligning with the OSL, employers can identify genuine skill gaps and sponsor overseas workers to fill high-demand roles, while skilled professionals can target occupations that offer stronger visa prospects and long-term career stability. The list also helps the Australian Government ensure that migration policy supports sustainable economic growth, addresses critical workforce shortages, and complements the local labour market rather than displacing it.

To check the most recent OSL, visit the official website of Jobs and Skills Australia and download the list at “Occupation Shortage List | Jobs and Skills Australia”. Jobs and Skills Australia+1 On that page you can search or filter by the 6-digit ANZSCO code, occupation name, or by state/territory shortages (for example “National – S”, “Regional – R”, or “No Shortage – NS”).

Occupation Ratings

S Shortage: Employers struggle to fill vacancies for a particular occupation due to skill gaps, pay levels, or job conditions, even in accessible locations. Sometimes shortages only affect specific specializations within an occupation.
M Metropolitan Shortage: Shortages are limited to metropolitan areas.
R Regional Shortage: Shortages are restricted to regional areas.
NS No Shortage: No significant hiring challenges have been identified, or there is insufficient evidence of a shortage.

Here’s a quick step-by-step guide for you:

Go to the OSL page linked above.
Use the search box to enter either the occupation name (e.g., “Primary School Teacher”) or the 6-digit ANZSCO 2022 code (e.g., 241213) to locate the entry.
Review the columns showing the skill level (1-4), and the shortage status nationally and for each state/territory.
If you’re unsure of the correct ANZSCO code or skill level, you can check via the official ANZSCO classification website.
For migration-related occupation eligibility, you may also check the relevant visa occupation lists.

Australia’s Skill Shortage Outlook 2025

The Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) 2025 report shows that 29% of the 1,022 assessed occupations — equal to 293 roles — are currently in national shortage. This marks an encouraging improvement from 33% in 2024 and 36% in 2023, indicating that the Australian labour market is slowly moving toward recovery. Despite this positive trend, several key industries continue to face persistent workforce challenges, particularly in areas critical to the nation’s economy and infrastructure.

Where Skill Shortages Persist

The most significant shortages remain concentrated among Technicians, Trades Workers, and Professional occupations. Sectors such as healthcare, education, engineering, science, and construction continue to experience strong and ongoing demand. Many of these roles—especially frontline healthcare positions and skilled trade occupations—have appeared on the shortage list every year since 2021, reflecting long-term hiring difficulties.

Regional areas continue to feel the greatest pressure. Twenty-one occupations are currently in shortage only in regional Australia, illustrating the ongoing challenge employers face in attracting and retaining skilled professionals in rural and remote communities, even as city-based markets begin to stabilise.

Occupations Showing Signs of Recovery

While critical shortages persist, JSA’s 2025 analysis also highlights progress in some professional and technical fields. Twenty-nine new occupations were added to the shortage list this year—primarily across healthcare, scientific, skilled trade, and machinery operation sectors—reflecting renewed demand in those industries. Conversely, 69 occupations that were previously in shortage during 2024 have now been removed, signalling a gradual recovery in recruitment pipelines and professional availability.

Roles No Longer on the Shortage List

Among the 69 roles no longer considered to be in shortage, 31 come from the Professionals group, notably in business, finance, ICT, and engineering. Occupations that have moved off the Occupation Shortage List (OSL) in 2025 include:

Sales and Marketing Manager
Project Builder
Engineering Manager
Hotel or Motel Manager
Internal Auditor
Financial Investment Adviser
Recruitment Consultant
Architect
Chemical Engineer
Materials Engineer
Electronics Engineer
Industrial Engineer
Mechanical Engineer
Production or Plant Engineer
Food Technologist
Optometrist
Nurse Educator and Nurse Researcher
Multimedia Specialist
Software Engineer
Cyber Security Analyst and related ICT roles
Social Worker
Animal Husbandry Technician
Architectural Draftsperson
Nurseryperson
Personal Care Assistant
Security Officer
Contract Administrator
Tram Driver
Aircraft Baggage Handler and Airline Ground Crew
Meat Boner and Slicer

(Note: This is a condensed summary. The full list can be accessed via Jobs and Skills Australia – Occupation Shortage List).

These changes signal a stabilising Australian labour market in certain technology, corporate, and engineering sectors. As training programs expand and recruitment pipelines improve, some industries are beginning to close long-standing skill gaps — though the demand for essential trades and care workers remains high.

Here are examples of high-demand occupations currently listed:

Occupation	ANZSCO Code	List
Registered Nurse	254499	MLTSSL
Civil Engineer	233211	MLTSSL
Chef	351311	STSOL
Electrician	341111	MLTSSL
Software Engineer	261313	MLTSSL
Early Childhood Teacher	241111	ROL
Aged or Disabled Carer	423111	ROL

Note: Lists are updated regularly.