Who this may suit
Skilled workers, graduates and employers checking Australian occupation codes, assessing authorities and possible visa pathways.
Key considerations
- Use the official occupation search and the instrument for your intended visa, rather than an undated copied list.
- The Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) has a different role from the MLTSSL; the lists are not interchangeable.
- Check the ANZSCO edition, actual job duties and current assessing authority before paying for an assessment.
Find your occupation and assessing authority
Open the Home Affairs skilled occupation search below and look for your occupation title or six-digit ANZSCO code. Read across the result to check the visa entries, list membership and assessing authority. Save the result with the date you checked it.
For the legislative MLTSSL used in points-tested skilled migration, open LIN 19/051. Section 8 contains the occupations and codes; section 10AA identifies current assessing authorities. Section 11 expands authority abbreviations. These direct sources let you check the full list without relying on a static table here.
Search occupations, codes and assessors at Home Affairs →
Open the current MLTSSL and assessing-authority instrument →
MLTSSL, STSOL and ROL: which list applies?
MLTSSL means Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List. STSOL is the Short-term Skilled Occupation List, and ROL is the Regional Occupation List. Under LIN 19/051, the principal points-tested pathways use these lists differently:
- Subclass 189, Points-tested stream: MLTSSL.
- Subclass 190, state or territory nominated: MLTSSL and STSOL.
- Subclass 491, state or territory nominated: MLTSSL, STSOL and ROL.
- Subclass 491, eligible family-sponsored pathway: MLTSSL.
Compare subclass 189 requirements →
Understand state nomination for subclass 190 →
Explore the two subclass 491 pathways →
Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL): official lookup and visa pathways →
Why the CSOL matters for employer sponsorship
For new Skills in Demand subclass 482 Core Skills nominations, check the Core Skills Occupation List under the subclass 482 instrument. Older references to the Temporary Skill Shortage Medium Term stream should not be used to assess a new Core Skills case. Applicable occupation caveats and the actual position still matter.
The Employer Nomination Scheme subclass 186 Direct Entry stream also uses the CSOL, with its own instrument and assessment provisions. By contrast, Home Affairs says the subclass 186 Temporary Residence Transition stream has no occupation list; occupation eligibility relates to the most recently held temporary skilled visa. Other streams and labour agreements need their own checks.
Training subclass 407 and regional employer-sponsored subclass 494 have separate instruments. Do not assume that a similarly named list gives identical eligibility across every visa.
Read the Skills in Demand subclass 482 guide →
Compare subclass 186 streams →
Use the right ANZSCO version
Home Affairs uses ANZSCO 2022 for subclasses 186 and 482, and ANZSCO 2013 for other skilled visa subclasses. An occupation can have a different code or be split into more specific occupations in the newer version.
For example, Statistician appears as 224113 in the MLTSSL instrument and 224116 in the subclass 482 CSOL. Check your duties against the applicable classification instead of transferring a code from an earlier application without review.
Check the authority before arranging an assessment
A skills assessment tests whether your qualifications and experience meet the relevant authority’s standards. Requirements, fees, processing times and evidence differ by authority and assessment type. Confirm that you are requesting an assessment suitable for the visa you intend to pursue.
Assessors can change. ACECQA now handles new Early Childhood Teacher migration assessments as well as Child Care Centre Manager assessments. Old tables showing AITSL for new early childhood assessments or TRA for current child care centre manager assessments should not guide your application.
Read the authority’s current instructions before ordering translations or submitting documents. Check assessment validity and timing separately from occupation-list membership.
Check Home Affairs skills-assessment guidance →
Read the early childhood teacher migration guide →
What a list entry does not tell you
For points-tested migration, an eligible occupation does not guarantee an invitation. You still need to assess the visa requirements and support the claims in your Expression of Interest. State nomination also depends on the particular state or territory’s program and selection criteria.
An EOI is not a visa application and does not extend your existing visa. Keep your lawful-stay deadline separate from any assessment or invitation plans. For an employer-sponsored pathway, review the employer, nominated position and stream requirements alongside your own eligibility.
How we can help
Ausdirect can help compare the duties of your role with the relevant occupation, identify the appropriate assessment and connect that work with a realistic visa strategy. An occupation title alone is not enough for a personalised recommendation.
Questions to consider
Has the CSOL replaced the MLTSSL everywhere?
No. The CSOL applies to specified employer-sponsored streams. The MLTSSL remains relevant to points-tested pathways. Always identify the visa and stream before choosing a list.
Does every subclass 485 applicant need an MLTSSL occupation?
Do not apply one rule to every 485 stream. The Post-Vocational Education Work stream requires an MLTSSL occupation, a closely related eligible qualification and the relevant assessment. Check the separate requirements for your intended stream.
Can I use the same skills assessment for another visa?
Check first. An assessment can be limited to a particular purpose, and the required occupation code, validity and timing may differ. Home Affairs specifically says an assessment obtained for subclass 485 is not a valid assessment for subclass 186.
What should I do if two occupation lists disagree?
Check whether they concern different visa streams, ANZSCO editions or dates. Use the current legislative instrument and assessing authority’s guidance for your situation, and resolve the discrepancy before lodging.
Your next step
Bring a current CV, qualification details, a description of your main duties and your current visa position to a consultation. General information checked on 17 October 2026; requirements can change.