Is My Occupation Eligible for Australia? How to Find Out

The question “is my occupation eligible for Australia?” has no single answer, because Australia does not use one single occupation list. Each skilled visa stream draws on its own occupation list, and the same occupation may be eligible for one stream but not another. This helps you locate which stream your occupation fits and points you to detailed guidance for each stream — instead of having to read scattered sources.

Why there is no single occupation list

Australia’s skilled migration system is divided by how you come in: employer sponsored, points-tested self-nomination, state or regional nomination, or through a special labour agreement. Each route has its own occupation list and conditions, and these lists change over time. So the first step is not to look up a list, but to identify which stream you are aiming for — and only then check your occupation against the list for that stream.

One thing is common to every stream: your occupation is identified by an ANZSCO code, not by your job title. Choosing the right code is the foundational step — see how to find the right authority and ANZSCO code.

Employer-sponsored stream (visas 482, 186)

If you have an Australian employer willing to sponsor you, your occupation needs to be on the occupation list that applies to the sponsored stream (CSOL). This is a broad list covering many professional and skilled occupations.

• How to look it up and choose the right code: the CSOL occupation list and how to check it for the 482 visa.
• A quick check of whether your occupation falls under the 482: which occupations can get a 482 visa.

Points-tested skilled stream (visas 189, 190, 491)

If you self-nominate on points (without an employer sponsor), your occupation must be on the occupation list that applies to the points-tested stream, and you must reach enough points to be invited. These two factors are separate: being on the list lets you lodge, but whether you are invited depends on competitive points by occupation and by round.

• How the points system works and how to raise your points: how to calculate Australian migration points.

State and regional nomination: each place has its own list

Visas 190 and 491 need nomination by a state or region, and each state has its own priority occupation list, updated to that state’s labour needs. An occupation not on the federal list may still be prioritised by a particular state, and vice versa.

• An overview of priority occupations by state nomination: priority occupations in state nomination.
• A comparison between states to choose the right place: comparing state nomination across states.

Occupations not on a standard list

If your occupation is not on the lists above, there is still a door through special arrangements by region or by business:

• A labour agreement for occupations off the list: the 482 Labour Agreement stream.
• A region-specific mechanism for areas with their own needs: how DAMA and state nomination differ.

These streams have strict conditions and depend on the particular region or business, so check carefully before betting on them.

A common step for every stream: skills assessment

Almost every skilled stream requires a skills assessment by the authority responsible for your occupation, before you lodge the visa. This is where many applications stumble.

• What a skills assessment is and who needs one: what a skills assessment is and who needs a skills assessment.
• Finding the right assessing authority for your occupation: assessing authorities by occupation.

How to check your occupation for yourself

1. Identify the ANZSCO code that correctly matches your actual work (not just your job title).
2. Choose the stream you are aiming for — employer sponsored, points-tested, state nomination, or off-list — based on your circumstances (whether you have a sponsor, where your strengths lie, which regions you are willing to live in).
3. Check your occupation code against the list for that exact stream on the official Home Affairs site (and each state’s nomination page if you are going for the 190/491). The lists change, so always view the current version.
4. Check the skills assessment requirements of the authority responsible for your occupation.

If every step “matches”, your occupation has a door open via that stream. If you are stuck at one step, there is usually still another stream to consider — which is why it is worth seeing the whole picture before concluding “my occupation cannot go”.

When to ask an RMA

You should consult a Registered Migration Agent (RMA) registered with OMARA when: your actual work sits on the boundary between two ANZSCO codes; your occupation is not on a standard list and you are considering a DAMA or Labour Agreement; or you want to compare several streams to choose the optimal path. An RMA assesses your actual circumstances against the current rules — this article only helps you orient yourself, and does not replace personal advice.

Last updated: 13/06/2026. Occupation lists and migration conditions change frequently — always check official sources.