Skilled Occupation List in Australia​

What are the Skilled Occupation List in Australia​

Australia’s skilled migration system is designed to attract workers with qualifications and experience in occupations needed across the country during skill shortages. If you are considering skilled migration, one of the first things to understand is whether your occupation appears on the relevant skilled occupation list in Australia.

One thing is that the system is not as simple as finding your job title on one master list. Different visa programs use different occupation requirements, and the applicable list can depend on the visa you are considering. The Department of Home Affairs also uses the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) codes to identify occupations.

What Is a Skilled Occupation List?

A skilled occupation list identifies occupations that may be eligible for particular Australian skilled visas.

It mentions all the target jobs that a job seeker wishes to get nominated for.

For example: Software engineer, Accountant, IT professional.

The Department of Home Affairs’ current skilled occupation information identifies the occupation’s ANZSCO code, applicable visa pathways, caveats and relevant assessing authority.

The list can therefore help applicants determine whether their occupation may be considered for a particular migration pathway.

Applicants also need to satisfy the other requirements of their chosen visa, which can include the following depending on the pathway.

·         Their age

·         The English language ability

·         Qualifications and work experience

·         Skills assessment

·         Points

·         Nomination or sponsorship

Applicants also sometimes seek assistance from CDR writers Australia when preparing engineering-related documentation to show the relationship between their education, professional experience and the occupation they nominate.

Engineers and ICT professionals have different assessing authorities and requirements, so applicants need to make sure they are following the correct assessment pathway rather than relying on generic migration documents.

 Is There Just One Skilled Occupation List?

This is one of the most common points of confusion about the skilled occupation list in Australia.

Australia’s skilled occupation framework includes several lists and visa-specific arrangements. The Department of Home Affairs currently identifies the following within its skilled occupation information.

·         Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL)

·         Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)

·         Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL)

·         Regional Occupation List (ROL)

The relevance of each list depends on the visa.

This is why applicants should identify the visa first and then check the occupation requirements that apply to it.

 What Is ANZSCO and Why Does It Matter?

ANZSCO stands for the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations.

Each occupation has its own code. For migration purposes, the code helps define the occupation being nominated rather than relying only on an employer’s internal job title.

This distinction can be important.

A person may have a job title that sounds suitable, but their actual duties may align more closely with a different ANZSCO occupation.

The Department of Home Affairs notes that the occupation code should align with the tasks and responsibilities of the position, particularly where occupations have been reclassified or divided into different specialisations.

Which ANZSCO Version Does Australia Use?

Applicants should also pay attention to the ANZSCO version used for their visa.

·         The Department of Home Affairs currently uses ANZSCO 2022 for the Employer Nomination Scheme subclass 186 and Skills in Demand subclass 482, including occupations on the CSOL.

·         For other skilled visa subclasses, the department uses ANZSCO 2013, including occupations associated with the MLTSSL, STSOL and ROL.

This means applicants should not assume that an occupation code found on an older website or migration article is automatically the correct one for their application.

What Is a Skills Assessment?

Finding your suitable career on the skilled occupation list in Australia is only part of the process.

A skills assessment is a formal evaluation process that is used to determine whether your qualifications and professional experience meet the requirements for your nominated occupation. The relevant assessing authority depends on the occupation.

For example, the Australian Computer Society (ACS) assesses specific information technology and cyber security occupations for ICT professionals.

The assessment may examine your educational qualifications and work experience and determine whether they are at the appropriate professional level and closely related to your nominated ANZSCO occupation.

What Is ACS Migration Skills Assessment?

The ACS Migration Skills Assessment is an important part of the migration process for eligible ICT professionals.

ACS assesses qualifications and professional experience against the nominated occupation and considers factors such as Australian Qualifications Framework comparability, ICT content within qualifications and the relevance of employment experience.

ACS currently assesses selected IT, data science and cyber security occupations rather than every technology-related job title. Applicants should therefore confirm that ACS is the correct assessing authority before submitting an application.

 What Should You Check Before Choosing an Occupation?

It is sensible to work through the following points before starting a skilled migration application.

·         Identify the visa you are considering.

·         Check the occupation requirements for that visa.

·         Find the correct ANZSCO code.

·         Review any caveats attached to the occupation.

·         Identify the relevant skills assessing authority.

·         Check whether you need a formal skills assessment.

·         Compare your qualifications and work experience with the occupation requirements.

·         Review the current visa and legislative requirements before submitting documents.

The process becomes much easier when these checks are completed in the right order.

FAQS

1)      Is an ANZSCO code the same as a job title?

Not necessarily. An ANZSCO occupation describes a recognised occupational category, while an employer may use a different internal job title. Your actual duties and responsibilities are important when identifying the appropriate occupation.

2)      Do all skilled migration applicants need a skills assessment?

Not necessarily, as the requirement depends on the visa and occupation. Applicants should check the specific requirements of their chosen pathway and the relevant assessing authority.

3)      Can the skilled occupation lists change?

Yes. Australia’s occupation and visa arrangements can change, which is why applicants should use current information from the Department of Home Affairs rather than relying on older migration guides.

Final Word

Understanding the skilled occupation list in Australia is an important first step for anyone considering skilled migration. But remember that the system involves more than checking whether a job title appears on a list.

Applicants need to consider the visa pathway, relevant ANZSCO version, occupation code, caveats and assessing authority. Because occupation lists and visa requirements can change, always check the current information from the Department of Home Affairs and the relevant assessing authority before making migration decisions.