Who this may suit
Portfolio managers, fund managers and investment professionals comparing an Australian skills assessment with migration and licensing requirements.
Key considerations
- VETASSESS assesses 222312 as a Group B occupation.
- Managing investments differs from research-only work, client advice and corporate finance management.
- 222312 is on the STSOL but is absent from the current CSOL.
Identify the investment-management responsibility
VETASSESS includes Portfolio Manager, Superannuation Funds Manager and Unit Trust Manager. The work must involve managing money or assets on behalf of others; research and periodic market reports alone are not treated as highly relevant.
For a role review, explain the investment mandate, what decisions you make and the limits of your authority. Distinguish investment recommendations, portfolio construction, execution and monitoring from work handled by a separate manager or committee.
Managing your own savings is not the same as professional employment managing assets for others. Be clear about the client or fund relationship without disclosing private investor information.
Compare adjacent finance occupations
A Financial Investment Adviser is generally concerned with tailored financial planning and client advice. A Finance Manager oversees an organisation’s internal financial function. Neither should be treated as interchangeable with managing an investment portfolio.
If your role combines research with portfolio responsibility, explain the actual balance of work and who makes the final decisions. A “Fund Analyst” or “Investment Director” title alone does not establish the correct migration occupation.
Prepare a short description of a representative investment process showing your responsibilities and reporting lines. This is a preparation aid, not a request to disclose a fund’s confidential strategy.
Compare Financial Investment Adviser →
Check the Group B assessment pathway
The qualification requirement is a bachelor-equivalent degree or higher. VETASSESS identifies finance, financial planning, economics, econometrics and actuarial study as relevant fields. Some quantitative or technical disciplines may be considered case by case where the later employment is highly relevant.
The relevant-degree pathway includes at least one year of suitable post-qualification employment in the last five years, at 20 hours or more per week. Different study backgrounds require different employment periods. Check the full current pathways rather than treating one year as a universal threshold.
Employer references should explain duties and, in general terms, the portfolios or funds managed. Follow the evidence requirements and include relevant licences where held.
Plan for financial-services regulation
A migration skills assessment does not grant an Australian financial services licence. ASIC explains that a financial-services business generally needs an AFS licence, an applicable exemption or authority to act as a representative of a licensee.
The required authorisations depend on the activities, products and client arrangements. Review the proposed role with the employer or appropriately qualified regulatory adviser rather than assuming every employee needs the same personal licence.
Keep this work separate from the visa assessment. Overseas licensing can support an explanation of your professional history, but it does not automatically authorise Australian activities.
Read ASIC financial-services licensing guidance →
Check the occupation-list limitations
222312 is on the STSOL under the ANZSCO 2013 skilled framework. It can support state-nominated 190 or 491 consideration, but not the MLTSSL occupation requirement for a new 189 Points-tested or family-sponsored 491 application. State selection and all other criteria still apply.
The current CSOL instruments do not list Financial Investment Manager for 482 Core Skills or 186 Direct Entry. Do not substitute Financial Investment Adviser solely to obtain a list entry. Any alternative sponsored stream or arrangement needs a separate, duties-based review.
Home Affairs uses ANZSCO 2022 for 482 and 186. Check the exact stream and classification before relying on an employer’s proposed migration plan.
Explore employer-sponsored streams →
How we can help
Ausdirect can help distinguish investment management from adjacent financial work, review the assessment evidence and identify the migration options that need closer examination.
Questions to consider
Is investment research enough for 222312?
Research-only employment is not considered highly relevant in the VETASSESS guidance. Explain whether you actually manage assets or money for others and the level of that responsibility.
Can I use the adviser code because it is on the CSOL?
Only if the actual role fits that occupation and its requirements. Visa-list availability is not a reason to misdescribe investment-management work as a different profession.
Do all investment managers need their own AFS licence?
Do not assume a single answer for every employment arrangement. ASIC’s framework distinguishes licensees, representatives and exemptions; check the actual business activities and authorisations.
Your next step
Prepare your qualifications, employment history, licensing background and a non-confidential description of your portfolio responsibilities. General information checked on 17 October 2026.