Who this may suit
People comparing regional skilled visas, state nomination and employer sponsorship.
Key considerations
- The 491 and 494 instruments contain different Regional Occupation Lists. Always check the visa-specific list.
- An occupation on the state-nominated 491 ROL does not, by that listing alone, qualify for subclass 189, 190 or family-sponsored 491.
- Occupation eligibility, a suitable skills assessment, nomination or sponsorship, and visa eligibility are separate checks.
Start with the official occupation search
Use Home Affairs’ skilled occupation search and enter your six-digit ANZSCO code. Read the visa column as well as the list label and assessing authority. If your job title produces several results, compare the work actually performed before choosing a code.
Home Affairs uses ANZSCO 2022 for subclass 482 and 186, while other skilled-visa settings use the earlier classification identified on its page. A newer labour-market classification or occupation title does not automatically replace the code required by a visa instrument.
Search the official skilled occupation list →
Which ROL are you checking?
For state-nominated subclass 491, section 10 of LIN 19/051 contains 77 entries at this check. Section 7 connects that list to the state-nominated stream. It also shows why a ROL-only occupation is not enough for subclass 190, independent 189 or family-sponsored 491.
Subclass 494 has its own occupation instrument, LIN 19/219. Its regional list is broader and must be checked separately. For example, Radio Journalist 212414 appears in the 494 ROL but not the 491 ROL. Treat a general “ROL” label as a starting point, not a complete visa answer.
Read the state-nominated 491 list: section 10 →
Read the employer-sponsored 494 list: section 7 →
Selected entries to help you navigate
These examples appear in the state-nominated 491 ROL. They illustrate its range; they are not a complete list or a statement that a state is currently selecting the occupation. Use the linked full instrument for all entries and section 11 for assessing authorities.
- 121111 Aquaculture Farmer
- 133612 Procurement Manager
- 232413 Multimedia Designer
- 252312 Dentist
- 272413 Translator
- 312911 Maintenance Planner
- 599915 Clinical Coder
- 612112 Property Manager
Maintenance Planner assessment and pathway guide →
State nomination is a further selection process
For subclass 491, choose a state or territory only after checking its current opening status, eligible occupations and applicant categories. Local work, residence, qualifications or offshore experience may affect eligibility. State priorities can be narrower than the federal list.
An EOI in SkillSelect records your claims. A state may also require a Registration of Interest before it considers a nomination application. Neither step guarantees selection. State nomination and the later Home Affairs invitation are distinct stages, and the visa decision remains with Home Affairs.
Check the dates on announcements carefully. A notice about future allocations or fees is not necessarily an invitation to lodge. Build your plan around a confirmed open pathway rather than a previous year’s occupation table.
Compare state nomination guides →
Employer sponsorship follows different rules
Subclass 494 requires an eligible regional employer-sponsored position and the applicable nomination and visa requirements. It does not use a state ROI as a substitute for employer sponsorship. Check the occupation against its own list before discussing the position with a prospective sponsor.
Similarly, the Core Skills Occupation List is relevant to particular 482 and 186 streams. An occupation may occur on more than one list, but ROL membership alone does not establish access to those employer-sponsored streams. Verify the exact occupation, applicable caveats and stream separately.
Regional location and your evidence
A regional occupation label does not decide whether an address is regional. Home Affairs defines eligible areas by location and postcode. Check the actual places where you expect to live, work and study, along with the conditions of the proposed visa.
Prepare a short evidence summary before paying for an assessment or changing jobs. Record your duties, qualification content, employment dates and hours, English evidence, current visa and expiry. Then identify the relevant assessor and read its occupation-specific rules. A positive assessment does not itself grant work rights or a visa.
How we can help
Ausdirect can check the occupation match, identify the correct visa instrument and compare realistic state-nominated or employer-sponsored options against your evidence.
Questions to consider
Does ROL mean every regional visa is available?
No. The list is visa-specific. Check the exact instrument and stream, then the remaining assessment, nomination, sponsorship and visa requirements.
Your next step
Bring your occupation code, a duties summary and proposed regional location to a consultation before committing to a pathway.