Move to Australia With Skilled Visa: Jobs That Qualify for Work Visas

If you want to reach Australia on a skilled visa, you usually must do two things first: (1) make sure your occupation appears on the correct Australian occupation list, and (2) obtain a positive migration skills assessment for that occupation. From there you’ll either lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect, obtain state nomination, or be sponsored by an employer—depending on the visa stream you choose.

This article provides a guide on how to check them, what documentation you need, typical costs and deadlines, and step-by-step instructions for applying.

Which occupation lists matter—and why

Australia no longer relies on a single, unchanging “list.” Instead, there are several managed lists that determine eligibility for different visa streams. The lists are periodically updated to reflect labour demand. The most important lists you should know are

• Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL)—a consolidated “core” list used for certain temporary skilled pathways (often referenced as the Core Skills Occupation List or CSOL). The Australian Government publishes a PDF of the CSOL.
• Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)—used by points-tested visas such as the Skilled Independent (subclass 189) and sometimes for permanent or long-term streams.
• Short-Term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) / Other lists—short-term or regionally prioritized occupations for temporary pathways (used historically; consult current Home Affairs guidance for the most recent list names and uses).
• State/Territory skilled occupation lists—Australian states and territories maintain their own nomination lists (e.g., NSW, Victoria, South Australia, and Queensland). If you seek state nomination (subclass 190 or 491), you must check the relevant state list as well.

Why this checklist matters: each visa subclass looks to one or more of these lists to determine whether your occupation is eligible to be nominated or invited. If your occupation is not listed for the visa you want, that stream will usually be closed to you. Always check which list applies to the visa subclass you intend to use. Home Affairs and state pages specify which list each visa draws from.

2) Which visa streams use the occupation lists?

Here are the common skilled visa streams that depend on the occupation lists:

• The Skilled Independent (Subclass 189) is a points-tested permanent visa that requires your occupation to be on the MLTSSL (or other lists specified by Home Affairs). You lodge an EOI, wait for an invitation, and then apply.
• Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190)—state/territory-nominated permanent visa; you must be nominated by an Australian state or territory, and your occupation must be on the state’s eligible list (which draws from national lists).
• Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (Subclass 491)—a regional provisional visa (points-tested) that requires state nomination or an eligible relative sponsor; draws from lists that states publish for nomination.
• Employer-sponsored visas (e.g., Skills in Demand/SID, 482 replacement streams, 186 Direct Entry)—employer-led nominations usually refer to the Core/CSOL or other employer-relevant lists. Please review the specific occupation list relevant to the employer-sponsored stream you are targeting.

Always confirm the exact list that Home Affairs or the state requires for the visa stream and the year you apply. Lists can be revised quarterly or annually as labour market needs change. Jobs & Skills Australia and Home Affairs publish consultations and legislative instruments when lists are updated.

Step 1: You must take a check to see whether your occupation is on the correct list

• Identify your ANZSCO occupation code. Australian occupation lists are organised by ANZSCO (Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations) codes and unit group titles. Use Home Affairs’ occupation files (or state search tools) to find the correct ANZSCO code for your role. The CSOL PDF and state occupational lists are searchable by an ANZSCO code.
• Please ensure you verify the appropriate list for your selected visa. For example, Subclass 189 usually draws from the MLTSSL; state nominations may require a state skills list (e.g., NSW Skills List or QSOL). Always read the visa page on the Home Affairs website to see which list applies.
• Watch for occupation caveats and specializations. Some occupations are allowed only in particular specializations or require registration/licensing (common in health, engineering, and architecture). The CSOL and state lists often include conditions. If you miss a caveat, your application can be refused.

Step 2: get a migration skills assessment (who assesses you and what they check)

If your occupation is on the correct list, the next mandatory step is a skills assessment by the assessing authority assigned to it. Skills assessment authorities for migration validate that your education, training, and work experience meet Australian standards.

• The Department of Home Affairs publishes an authoritative list of assessing authorities; you must contact the specific authority for your occupation. Examples: Engineers Australia (engineers), ACS—Australian Computer Society (ICT), VETASSESS (many professions, trades/technical roles), Trades Recognition Australia for trade assessments, and AHPRA for some health professions.

What they check:

• They scrutinize your academic qualifications and their alignment with Australian qualifications.
• They also scrutinize your employment history, taking into account the number of years worked and its relevance.
• For some occupations — licensing, registration, or additional tests.
• Supporting documents (certified copies of degrees, transcripts, references, employment pay slips, tax records, and position descriptions).

Typical timing and fees: skills assessments can take weeks to months. Fees vary by authority and occupation (Engineers Australia, ACS, and VETASSESS publish current fee schedules). Plan for these costs and timelines before you lodge an EOI.

Documents you will commonly need (skills assessment + visa)

Below is a checklist you should prepare in advance. Exact documents depend on the assessing authority and visa subclass, but this list covers the common requirements.

Documents for skills assessment

• Certified copies of university degrees/diplomas and academic transcripts.
• Certified translations for any documents not in English.
• Employment references/letters from employers (on company letterhead) detailing job title, duties, hours, dates, and salary. If possible, include payslips, tax records, or employment contracts.
• Professional registrations or licences (if applicable).
• Passport biodata page and identity document.
• The curriculum vitae should be detailed and chronological in nature.
• Any statutory declarations that are required (some assessing bodies require sworn statements for missing evidence) should be included.
  (Cite: assessing authorities pages).

Documents for visa application (after invitation or nomination)

• Passport and identity documents for you and any dependents.
• Positive skills assessment outcome letter.
• English test results (IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, OET—Home Affairs lists accepted tests and minimum scores).
• You must provide police certificates or character checks for all countries where you have lived for more than 12 months in the last 10 years.
• Health checks (visa medicals) performed by an approved panel physician.
• Provide evidence of state or employer nomination, if applicable.
• Evidence of any claims that support your points (e.g., employment evidence, partner skills, qualifications).
  (Cite: Home Affairs visa pages and assessing authorities).

Fees: what to budget for (typical costs and who pays what)

Fees vary widely by visa type, occupation, and whether an employer covers some of the costs. Below are common fees you should expect to budget for:

Fees you (the applicant) commonly pay

• Skills assessment fee—varies by assessing authority and occupation (typical range AUD 500–1,500+). See each authority’s fee table.
• English test—IELTS/PTE/OET fees vary by country (expect several hundred AUD equivalent).
• Visa Application Charge (VAC)—a core government fee payable when you lodge your visa application. Home Affairs publishes the current Visa Pricing Table; the skilled migration VACs were adjusted on 1 July 2025 (for example, main applicant fees for many skilled permanent visas were updated). Always verify the current pricing table before you apply.
• Medical checks / police certificates—variable by country and provider.
• Migration agent or legal fees (if you choose professional help)—optional but common.

Fees employers must pay (if employer-sponsored)

• Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy—employers pay this when sponsoring workers; levy amounts vary by employer turnover and visa type (small businesses under AUD 10m pay lower rates than large employers). Typical SAF levy ranges quoted publicly: ≈ AUD 1,200–1,800 per year per nominee for temporary streams, and higher amounts for permanent employer streams (check current Home Affairs guidance). Employers are legally responsible for the SAF levy and cannot require employees to pay it.

Example VACs and changes

• Visa application charges for many skilled visas were increased from 1 July 2025—check the Home Affairs fees page or the Visa Pricing Table for up-to-date figures (VACs are updated from time to time).

Deadlines and timing you must know

• EOI validity (SkillSelect): An Expression of Interest in SkillSelect remains active for two years from lodgement; update it if your circumstances change (e.g., new qualification, higher English score). If you’re invited, you usually have 60 days from the invitation to lodge your visa application (check the invitation for the exact deadline).
• SkillSelect invitation rounds: Home Affairs runs invitation rounds periodically (frequency can vary by visa and policy settings—sometimes monthly, sometimes quarterly). Invitation patterns influence how long you wait after lodging an EOI. Keep your EOI up to date and monitor invitation rounds published on the Home Affairs site.
• Skills assessment timing: allow several weeks to months for assessing authorities to process migration skills assessments — get this done before you expect to be invited, because an invitation often requires a positive skills assessment as part of your EOI.
• State nomination deadlines and program years: state and territory nomination programs often manage places annually; some have closing dates or program years. Monitor the state migration pages (e.g., NSW, Victoria, Queensland) for registration windows.

How and where to apply—step-by-step

A. If you’re applying via points-tested visas (189, 190, 491)

1. Check the correct occupation list for the visa you want (MLTSSL, CSOL, or state list).
2. Secure a positive skills assessment from the occupation’s assessing authority. Do this early.
3. Take an approved English test and gather police/medical documents.
4. Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect online (Home Affairs SkillSelect). Your EOI includes your occupation, the date of your skills assessment outcome, points calculation, and whether you seek state nomination. Keep it current.
5. If invited to apply, lodge your visa application online (ImmiAccount) within the deadline; pay the VAC and supply supporting documents.

Where to apply: SkillSelect (EOI) and ImmiAccount are both services on the Department of Home Affairs website. Use the official Home Affairs pages—do not rely solely on third-party sites for lodgement.

B. If you’re applying via employer sponsorship

1. Find a sponsoring employer and ensure they are willing to lodge a sponsorship/nomination. Employers must usually hold an approved sponsorship licence.
2. The employer lodges the nomination (and pays the nomination fees and SAF levy as required).
3. You will need to lodge the nominated visa application (via ImmiAccount) along with your supporting documents and pay the VAC.
4. Wait for a decision—processing times vary by visa.

C. If you seek state nomination

1. Check the state skills list and nomination requirements for your target state. States may require a Registration of Interest (ROI) or direct application to their migration portal (examples: Live in Melbourne, Migration Queensland).
2. Apply for state nomination following that state’s process. If nominated, your EOI will be updated, and you may receive an invitation to apply for the visa.

Practical tips to improve your chances

• Sort the skills assessment first. It is the single most important precondition for most skilled visas. Apply to the assessing authority early and submit a complete, well-evidenced package.
• Be precise about ANZSCO codes. Choose the ANZSCO occupation that best fits your duties—not the one that seems most attractive. A mismatch can lead to refusal.
• Keep your EOI current. Please update the EOI whenever you gain new evidence that increases your points. Don’t wait until you are invited.
• Consider state nomination. If the national points queue is very competitive for your occupation, a state nomination (190/491) is often faster. Check state priority occupations and regional pathways.
• Budget realistically. Include VAC, skills-assessment fees, medicals, police checks, and any migration agent fees in your budget. VACs increased on 1 July 2025—check current fees.
• Avoid scams. Only use registered migration agents (if you choose an agent), and always verify official fees and procedures on the Home Affairs website.

Final checklist—before you submit anything

• Please ensure that you verify the ANZSCO code and occupation list for your desired visa.
• Apply for and secure a positive skills assessment from the correct assessing authority.
• Take an approved English test and have the results ready.
• Collect certified copies of diplomas, transcripts, employer letters, pay slips, and police clearance certificates.
• Please arrange medical verification bookings with a panel physician if you anticipate receiving an invitation.
• Lodge your EOI in SkillSelect and monitor invitation rounds.
• If nominated by a state or sponsored by an employer, put the nomination paperwork in place before you submit your visa application.

The article cited the following authoritative sources: