What Occupations Are Eligible for the 482 Visa in Australia?

Australia’s Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) is one of the main temporary employer-sponsored visa pathways for skilled workers who have the skills Australia needs. It allows Australian businesses to sponsor eligible overseas workers when they need skilled employees for specific positions.

Since the former Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa was replaced by the Skills in Demand visa, the occupation requirements have changed. For the Core Skills stream, applicants generally need to have an occupation included on the current Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) and meet the other visa requirements. The Department of Home Affairs uses ANZSCO 2022 for subclass 482 occupations. 

This guide explains the types of occupations that may be eligible, how the occupation list works, and what applicants should check before applying.

What Is the 482 Visa?

The Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) allows Australian employers to sponsor skilled workers from overseas to fill positions they cannot adequately fill from the local labour market.

The visa is employer-sponsored, meaning you generally need an Australian employer that is willing and eligible to sponsor and nominate you for an appropriate position.

The occupation itself is only one part of the application. Applicants must also satisfy requirements relating to their skills, experience, salary, English language ability and other eligibility criteria.

For the Core Skills stream, the Department of Home Affairs identifies eligible occupations through the CSOL and the relevant legislative instrument. 

What Occupations Are Eligible for the 482 Visa?

There are hundreds of occupations covered by the current skilled occupation framework. The list includes jobs across industries such as:

• Healthcare
• Information technology
• Engineering
• Construction
• Education
• Accounting and finance
• Management
• Hospitality
• Automotive
• Telecommunications
• Trades
• Agriculture
• Science
• Social services
• Design and technical professions

The exact occupation must be checked against the current CSOL and the relevant ANZSCO 2022 occupation code. It is not enough for your job title to sound similar to an occupation on the list. Your actual duties and responsibilities need to align with the nominated occupation. 

1. Healthcare and Medical Occupations

Healthcare is one of the major areas of skilled employment in Australia.

Depending on the occupation and circumstances, eligible occupations can include various medical, nursing, allied health and healthcare-related professions.

Examples may include:

• General practitioners
• Medical specialists
• Registered nurses
• Midwives
• Physiotherapists
• Occupational therapists
• Medical laboratory professionals
• Pharmacists
• Radiographers
• Other healthcare professionals

Some medical occupations also receive particular treatment under the 482 program. For example, the Department of Home Affairs has a specific list of medical occupations that can be exempt from certain employer-related requirements, including General Practitioners, Resident Medical Officers, Anaesthetists, Specialist Physicians, Surgeons and various other medical specialists. 

Healthcare is also among the sectors receiving high processing priority under the current skilled visa processing arrangements. 

2. Information Technology Occupations

Australia continues to require skilled professionals across the technology sector.

Depending on the current occupation list and the nominated position, technology-related occupations may include areas such as:

• Software development
• Programming
• ICT business analysis
• Systems analysis
• Cybersecurity
• ICT management
• Database administration
• Network engineering
• Telecommunications
• ICT support
• Software engineering

For IT professionals, choosing the correct ANZSCO occupation is particularly important because several technology roles can have similar job titles but different occupational classifications.

For example, someone working as a “Business Analyst” should not automatically assume that any business analyst position qualifies. The actual duties, qualifications and level of responsibility need to correspond with the nominated occupation.

3. Engineering Occupations

Engineering is another significant category within Australia’s skilled migration system.

Potentially eligible occupations can include professionals working in:

• Civil engineering
• Mechanical engineering
• Electrical engineering
• Electronics engineering
• Structural engineering
• Industrial engineering
• Mining engineering
• Chemical engineering
• Environmental engineering
• Telecommunications engineering

Engineering professionals should carefully check whether their specific occupation is included and whether a skills assessment is required.

The relevant assessing authority can also depend on the occupation.

4. Construction and Building Occupations

Australia’s construction industry has a continuing demand for skilled workers.

Occupations within the broader construction and building sector can include:

• Construction managers
• Project managers
• Building professionals
• Surveyors
• Civil engineering professionals
• Electricians
• Plumbers
• Carpenters
• Bricklayers
• Painters
• Other qualified trades

For example, the Department of Home Affairs lists Painter (ANZSCO 332211) as an occupation available under the 482 Core Skills stream. 

However, trade occupations can have specific requirements relating to qualifications, experience and skills assessment.

Construction is also among the areas receiving priority under the current skilled visa processing framework.

5. Education and Teaching Occupations

Qualified teachers and education professionals may also find opportunities through employer sponsorship.

Depending on the occupation list and individual circumstances, this can include roles in areas such as:

• Early childhood education
• Primary teaching
• Secondary teaching
• Special education
• Vocational education
• Other specialist teaching fields

Teachers should check the specific occupation code and registration requirements that apply to their profession.

Being qualified overseas does not automatically mean that a person can work in every Australian teaching position. State or territory registration requirements may also apply.

6. Accounting and Finance Occupations

The 482 program can also provide opportunities for skilled professionals in accounting, finance and related business fields.

Potential occupations may include:

• Accountants
• Management accountants
• Taxation accountants
• Finance professionals
• Financial analysts
• Auditors
• Finance managers

However, applicants should not assume that every finance-related job qualifies.

The nominated occupation must correspond with the applicable occupation classification and the position must meet the relevant sponsorship and nomination requirements.

7. Management Occupations

Certain senior management and business management occupations are also included in the skilled occupation framework.

Examples include:

• Chief Executive or Managing Director
• Corporate General Manager
• Corporate Services Manager
• Finance Manager
• Human Resource Manager
• Sales and Marketing Manager
• Supply and Distribution Manager
• Advertising Manager
• Chief Information Officer

The Department of Home Affairs specifically identifies several executive and senior manager occupations for international trade obligation purposes. 

Some management occupations also have specific caveats. For example, the Department’s listing for Corporate General Manager (ANZSCO 111211) includes a salary-related caveat for certain positions. 

This demonstrates why simply seeing an occupation on the list does not necessarily mean that every position with that title is eligible.

8. Hospitality and Tourism Occupations

Australia’s hospitality industry also employs a large number of skilled workers.

Depending on the current occupation list and requirements, relevant positions may include certain:

• Chefs
• Hospitality managers
• Accommodation managers
• Restaurant-related professionals
• Specialist hospitality occupations

One example appearing on the skilled occupation list is Accommodation and Hospitality Managers nec (ANZSCO 141999). 

Hospitality applicants should pay particular attention to the duties of the position because occupations may have caveats or restrictions.

9. Trades and Technical Occupations

The 482 program is not limited to university graduates.

Qualified tradespeople and technical professionals may also qualify where their occupation is included on the applicable list.

Potential areas include:

• Electrical trades
• Plumbing
• Carpentry
• Metal fabrication
• Automotive trades
• Painting
• Telecommunications
• Mechanical trades
• Refrigeration and air conditioning
• Technical services

For example, Cabler (Data and Telecommunications), ANZSCO 342411, appears in the skilled occupation information associated with the 482 program. 

For trade occupations, applicants should carefully check qualification and skills assessment requirements before relying on their occupation for a visa application.

10. Science and Technical Professions

Australia also has opportunities for professionals working in science and technical fields.

These can include occupations associated with:

• Laboratory work
• Environmental science
• Agricultural science
• Chemistry
• Biology
• Geology
• Technical research
• Specialist scientific services

Eligibility depends on the exact occupation rather than simply the industry in which the applicant works.

Does My Job Title Need to Match the Occupation List Exactly?

Not necessarily.

This is one of the most important things to understand about the 482 visa.

Australian immigration authorities use the ANZSCO occupation classification system. The occupation is determined by the nature of the work, including the tasks and responsibilities involved.

For subclass 482, the Department of Home Affairs uses the ANZSCO 2022 version. It advises that applicants should select an occupation code that aligns with the tasks and responsibilities of the position. 

For example, an employer might advertise a position as a “Technology Consultant”, while the nominated occupation could be classified under a different ANZSCO occupation depending on the actual duties.

Therefore, applicants should look beyond the job title.

What Is the Core Skills Occupation List?

The Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) is the current occupation list used for the Core Skills stream of the Skills in Demand visa.

The Department of Home Affairs’ skilled occupation list provides information about occupation codes, applicable visa programs, caveats and assessing authorities. 

The Department currently identifies LIN 24/089 – Migration Specification of Occupations, Subclass 482 Visa as the legislative instrument specifying occupations for the Skills in Demand visa. 

Because occupation lists and migration rules can change, applicants should always check the current government information before submitting an application.

Are All Occupations on the CSOL Automatically Eligible?

No.

Being listed on the CSOL is an important requirement for the Core Skills stream, but it does not guarantee that you qualify for a 482 visa.

Other requirements may include:

1. Employer sponsorship: You generally need an eligible Australian employer willing to sponsor you.
2. Occupation eligibility: Your nominated occupation must meet the applicable occupation requirements.
3. Relevant skills and experience: You need to demonstrate that you have the skills and experience required for the nominated occupation and visa stream.
4. Salary requirements: The nominated position must meet the applicable salary requirements.
5. English language requirements: Depending on your circumstances and any applicable exemptions, you may need to demonstrate English language proficiency.
6. Health and character requirements: Applicants must satisfy applicable health and character requirements.
7. Genuine position: The nominated position needs to be a genuine position within the sponsoring business.

This means that finding your occupation on the list is only the first step.

Why ANZSCO Codes Matter for the 482 Visa

ANZSCO codes are important because immigration authorities use them to classify occupations.

Two jobs can have similar names but different ANZSCO classifications.

For example:

Job title: IT Specialist

This could potentially cover different types of work depending on the employee’s actual responsibilities.

The correct occupation may depend on whether the person primarily performs:

• Software development
• Systems analysis
• Network engineering
• ICT business analysis
• Cybersecurity
• Technical support
• ICT management

The employer and applicant should therefore make sure that the nominated occupation accurately reflects the actual position.

What If My Occupation Is Not on the List?

If your occupation is not included in the applicable occupation list for the 482 stream you are considering, you may not be eligible under that stream.

However, this does not necessarily mean that there are no Australian migration options.

Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to explore other pathways, such as:

• Employer-sponsored visas
• Employer Nomination Scheme pathways
• Regional employer-sponsored options
• State or territory nominated visas
• Other skilled migration programs
• Partner or family visa pathways

The right option depends on your occupation, qualifications, experience, employer, location and personal circumstances.

What About Regional Australia?

Regional Australia can provide additional opportunities for skilled workers.

Some employer-sponsored migration pathways have regional requirements or advantages, while some occupations may have broader availability depending on the visa program.

If you are flexible about where you live and work, considering regional employers can potentially expand your employment opportunities.

However, applicants should distinguish between the 482 Core Skills occupation requirements and the requirements of other regional visa programs.

How to Check Whether Your Occupation Is Eligible

If you are considering a 482 visa, follow these steps:

Step 1: Identify your actual occupation

Look at the work you actually perform rather than relying only on your job title.

Step 2: Find your ANZSCO code

Determine which ANZSCO 2022 occupation best matches your duties.

Step 3: Check the CSOL

Search the official skilled occupation list to confirm whether the occupation is included for the 482 Core Skills stream. 

Step 4: Check occupation caveats

Some occupations have restrictions or caveats. These can affect whether a particular position qualifies.

Step 5: Check the assessing authority

Some occupations may require a skills assessment, depending on the applicant’s circumstances.

Step 6: Check salary requirements

Make sure the nominated position satisfies the applicable salary requirements.

Step 7: Find an eligible sponsor

You generally need an Australian employer that can sponsor and nominate you.

Step 8: Check the remaining visa requirements

Finally, review English, experience, health, character and other requirements.

Final Thoughts

The 482 Skills in Demand visa provides an important pathway for skilled workers who have an Australian employer willing to sponsor them. Eligible occupations span a wide range of industries, including healthcare, IT, engineering, construction, education, finance, hospitality, management, telecommunications and skilled trades.

However, having a job title that appears to match an occupation on the list does not automatically make someone eligible. The ANZSCO occupation, actual job duties, employer nomination, salary, skills and other visa requirements all need to be considered.

The Department of Home Affairs states that the 482 program uses ANZSCO 2022 and that the current occupation framework includes the CSOL. The official occupation list also provides information about applicable caveats and assessing authorities. 

Because Australian migration rules can change, it is important to check the latest official requirements before applying.

For the most accurate and current occupation information, use the Australian Department of Home Affairs  and the relevant 482 legislative instrument.