Australia Occupation Lists 2026 Guide | MLTSSL, STSOL ROL CSOL Differences

Choosing the right visa pathway to Australia starts with understanding which occupation list your job appears on. The Department of Home Affairs maintains several skilled occupation lists that determine your visa eligibility, pathway to permanent residency, and the speed of your application.

If you’re confused about MLTSSL, STSOL, ROL, or the new CSOL, this guide breaks down everything you need to know about Australia’s occupation lists for 2025-26.

What Are Australia’s Skilled Occupation Lists?

Australia’s skilled occupation lists are official government lists that identify occupations experiencing skill shortages. These lists determine which visas you can apply for and your pathway to permanent residence.

The Department of Home Affairs maintains four main occupation lists:

Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL): 456 occupations (introduced December 2024) Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL): 212 occupations Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL): 215 occupations Regional Occupation List (ROL): 77 additional occupations

Each list opens different visa pathways with varying routes to permanent residency.

Understanding ANZSCO Codes

Every occupation on these lists has a 6-digit ANZSCO code (Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations).

For example:

• 261313: Software Engineer
• 254411: Nurse Practitioner
• 233211: Civil Engineer

The ANZSCO code identifies your occupation and determines which skills assessment authority will assess your qualifications.

Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL)

The CSOL was announced on December 3, 2024, replacing the complex occupation lists for employer-sponsored visas.

What Is CSOL? The CSOL contains 456 occupations identified through labor market analysis by Jobs and Skills Australia. This list supports the new Skills in Demand (SID) visa program.

Which Visas Use CSOL?

• Skills in Demand visa (Subclass 482) – Core Skills Stream
• Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) – Direct Entry stream

Key Features:

• Designed for employer-sponsored migration
• More flexible than previous lists
• Based on current labor market needs
• Updated regularly to reflect economic priorities

Example CSOL Occupations:

• Chief Executive or Managing Director (111111)
• General Practitioner (253111)
• Software Engineer (261313)
• Chef (351311)
• Registered Nurse (various codes)

Note: The Department of Home Affairs uses ANZSCO 2022 version for CSOL occupations.

Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)

The MLTSSL is the most valuable list for skilled migrants seeking permanent residency.

What Is MLTSSL? This list contains 212 occupations that Australia identifies as having long-term skill shortages. These are roles Australia needs for sustained economic growth.

Which Visas Use MLTSSL?

• Skilled Independent visa (Subclass 189)
• Skilled Nominated visa (Subclass 190)
• Skilled Work Regional visa (Subclass 491)
• Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) – all streams
• Temporary Skill Shortage visa (Subclass 482) – Medium-term stream (now closed)

Pathway to Permanent Residence: MLTSSL occupations offer the most direct pathway to PR. You can apply for the independent Subclass 189 visa without state nomination or employer sponsorship.

Example MLTSSL Occupations:

• Accountants (221111)
• Software Engineers (261313)
• Registered Nurses (254411-254499)
• Civil Engineers (233211)
• Early Childhood Teachers (241111)
• Electricians (341111)

Why MLTSSL Matters: If your occupation is on the MLTSSL, you get:

• Access to an independent PR visa (189)
• No time limit on visa renewals
• Ability to live and work anywhere in Australia
• Priority processing in some cases

Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL)

The STSOL targets skills Australia needs now but may train domestically in the future.

What Is STSOL? This list includes 215 occupations addressing short-term workforce needs. STSOL occupations have more limited PR pathways compared to MLTSSL.

Which Visas Use STSOL?

• Skilled Nominated visa (Subclass 190)
• Skilled Work Regional visa (Subclass 491)
• Temporary Skill Shortage visa (Subclass 482) – Short-term stream (now closed)
• Skills in Demand visa (Subclass 482) – Specialist Skills stream

Pathway to Permanent Residence: STSOL occupations cannot access the independent 189 visa. You need:

• State or territory nomination (190)
• Regional sponsorship (491)
• Employer sponsorship (186 TRT stream after 2 years on 482)

Example STSOL Occupations:

• Hotel Managers (141311)
• Photographers (211211)
• Print Journalists (212413)
• Café Managers (141111)
• Real Estate Representatives (611211)

Recent Changes: In 2025, some occupations moved from MLTSSL to STSOL, including:

• Automotive Electrician (321111)
• Painting Trades Worker (332211)
• Wall and Floor Tiler (333411)

Regional Occupation List (ROL)

The ROL provides additional occupation options for regional Australia.

What Is ROL? This list contains 77 occupations exclusively available for regional visas. ROL targets skill shortages in regional areas outside major cities.

Which Visas Use ROL?

• Skilled Work Regional visa (Subclass 491): 504 eligible occupations total
• Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa (Subclass 494): 650 eligible occupations total

Regional Areas: Regional Australia includes everywhere except Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. Some outer suburbs of these cities also count as regional.

Pathway to Permanent Residence: After living and working in regional Australia for 3 years on a 491 visa, you may be eligible for the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (Subclass 191).

Example ROL Occupations:

• Hydrographer (311414)
• Telecommunications Technician (342414)
• Other regional-specific trades

Key Advantage: ROL gives you access to 15 nomination points (instead of 5 for 190) and lower points requirements in some cases.

How to Check Which List Your Occupation Is On

Follow these steps to find your occupation list:

Step 1: Find Your ANZSCO Code. Visit the Department of Home Affairs skilled occupation list and search for your job title.

Step 2: Check the Combined List. The combined list shows:

• Your ANZSCO code
• Which lists include your occupation (CSOL, MLTSSL, STSOL, ROL)
• Your skills assessment authority
• Any caveats or restrictions

Step 3: Verify Your Skills Assessment Authority. Each occupation has a designated assessing authority. Examples:

• Engineers: Engineers Australia
• IT Professionals: ACS (Australian Computer Society)
• Accountants: CPA Australia
• Nurses: ANMAC
• General Professionals: VETASSESS

Which Occupation List Is Best for You?

Here’s how the lists compare:

Best for Permanent Residence: MLTSSL Best for Employer Sponsorship: CSOL Best for Points Boost: ROL (15 points instead of 5) Requires Strategy: STSOL (need state or employer support)

State Nomination Lists

Each Australian state has its own priority occupation lists drawing from MLTSSL, STSOL, and sometimes ROL.

State Nomination Lists

• Victoria State Nomination
• New South Wales (NSW)
• Queensland (QSOL)
• South Australia
• Western Australia
• Tasmania
• Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
• Northern Territory

State lists can include STSOL occupations, giving you a PR pathway through Subclass 190 even if your occupation isn’t on MLTSSL.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: Assuming List Presence Guarantees Visa Being on a list is just the first step. You still need:

• Valid skills assessment
• Required English level
• Minimum points (usually 65+)
• Meet all visa requirements

Mistake 2: Not Checking for Caveats. Some occupations have restrictions. For example, certain roles may require:

• Minimum salary thresholds
• Company size requirements
• Specific work experience

Mistake 3: Ignoring ANZSCO Versions. The Department uses:

• ANZSCO 2022 for CSOL
• ANZSCO 2013 for MLTSSL, STSOL, ROL

Make sure you’re looking at the correct version.

Mistake 4: Choosing Wrong Skills Assessment Authority Each occupation has a specific assessing authority. Using the wrong one will delay your application.

What If Your Occupation Isn’t on Any List?

If your occupation doesn’t appear on MLTSSL, STSOL, or ROL, you have options:

Option 1: Find a Similar Occupation. Look for closely related roles that match your duties and experience.

Option 2: Employer Sponsorship Some employers can sponsor occupations not on the standard lists through:

• Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMA)
• Industry Labour Agreements (ILA)

Option 3: Family or Partner Visas. Consider non-skilled visa pathways like partner visas.

Option 4: Student Pathway Study in Australia to gain qualifications in an occupation on the list.

Need Help Understanding Occupation Lists?

Navigating Australia’s occupation lists can be complex. Think Higher Consultants can help you:

• Identify which list your occupation appears on
• Choose the best visa pathway for your situation
• Complete your skills assessment with the correct authority
• Maximize your points for skilled migration
• Apply for state nomination if needed

Contact us today or complete our free online assessment to discuss your visa options.

FAQs: Australia’s Occupation Lists

What’s the difference between MLTSSL and STSOL? MLTSSL offers direct PR pathways, including the independent 189 visa, while STSOL requires state nomination or employer sponsorship for PR. MLTSSL occupations are in long-term demand, and STSOL addresses short-term needs.

Can I apply for a 189 visa with an STSOL occupation? No, the Subclass 189 visa only accepts MLTSSL occupations. STSOL occupations need state nomination (190) or regional sponsorship (491).

What is the CSOL used for? The CSOL is used for the new Skills in Demand visa (Subclass 482) and Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) Direct Entry stream. It replaced the previous occupation lists for employer-sponsored visas.

How often do occupation lists change? Lists are reviewed regularly based on labor market needs. Major changes typically occur annually, but updates can happen throughout the year without notice.

Does ROL give me more points? Yes, regional nomination (491) gives you 15 points compared to 5 points for state nomination (190).

Can STSOL occupations get permanent residency? Yes, but not through the independent pathway. You need state nomination (190), regional work (491 then 191), or employer sponsorship (482 then 186 TRT).

Which occupation list is best for IT professionals? Most IT occupations appear on the MLTSSL, offering the best PR pathways. Check your specific ANZSCO code to confirm.

What if my occupation moves from MLTSSL to STSOL? Pending applications won’t be affected. However, if your circumstances change and you need a new nomination, the new list rules apply.