The list of occupations eligible for the main type of employer sponsored temporary visa and direct permanent visa, the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), was recently given a much-publicised makeover. The new list reflects shifting demands in the Australian labour market and presents challenges and opportunities for employers and sponsored employees. The new list was introduced with a package of reforms to the Subclass 482 and Subclass 186 visas on 7 December 2024.
The new list effectively replaces the Medium to Long-term Strategic Skills list (MLTSSL), Short-term Skilled Occupations List (STSOL) and Regional Occupations List (ROL) as they pertain to the Subclass 482 and 186 visas; but retains those lists for other visa categories including the 189, 190 and 491 General Skilled Migration, 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional and 407 – Training visas.
The CSOL only applies to the Core Skills Stream of the 482 Skills in Demand (SID) Visa. The other two streams currently available are not impacted:
- Labour Agreement stream: for businesses that enter into a bespoke agreement with the Department of Home Affairs, either under Company-Specific, Industry or Designated Area Migration Agreement programs to allow for the sponsorship of off-list occupations and/or concessions to the standard program
- Specialist Skills stream: for any occupation in Major Group 1, 2, 4, 5 or 6 in ANZSCO (managerial, professional and semi-professional occupations) where remuneration (not including superannuation) is at least $135,000.00 a year
The government is currently working on a new stream, the Essential Skills stream, which is intended to replace or complement the existing Labour Agreement stream.
We have outlined below the occupations added and removed from the list, and an analysis of consequences.
Occupations Removed
The bad news
For any removed occupations, no new nomination can be approved and presents the following challenges for current and prospective 482 visa holders:
- Cannot change sponsored employer under the same removed occupation
- Cannot extend their 482 visa with the same or a new employer
- Prospective sponsored employees can no longer lodge a 482-visa application for any removed occupation
The better news
However, pathways remain for visa holders in removed occupations including:
- Ability to apply for the Subclass 186 – Employer Nomination Scheme (Temporary Residence Transition stream) permanent visa after 2 years sponsored employment. The Department may introduce better access to the 186 visa for holders of 2-year visas who do not qualify within the period of their existing visa, however, other options may be available. If you hold a 2-year visa, please make a free enquiry to discuss your options.
- Nomination applications lodged or approved before 7 December will be processed under the previous rules and occupation list
- If your occupation is a professional or managerial occupation and salary at least $135,000, you can apply under the Specialist Skills stream
- Employers may qualify for a Labour Agreement to allow access to off-list occupations. Eg. Café or Restaurant Managers may be able to access the 482 and 186 visa through the Restaurant (premium dining) Industry Labour Agreement
- Family members can still be added to existing 482 visas
- Possibility of nominating a different related occupation where suitable
Occupations removed from the list
Many of these occupations appeared on the former 482 visa Regional Occupations List so were not previously available to metropolitan employers:
- Cotton grower
- Fruit or nut grower
- Grain, oilseed or pasture grower (Aus)/field crop grower (NZ)
- Grape grower
- Mixed crop farmer
- Sugar cane grower
- Vegetable grower (Aus) / market gardener
- Crop farmers (nec)
- Beef cattle farmer
- Deer farmer
- Horse breeder
- Mixed livestock farmer
- Sheep farmer
- Livestock farmers (nec)
- Mixed crop and livestock farmer
- Public relations manager
- Manufacturer
- Production manager (mining)
- Childcare centre manager
- Welfare centre manager
- Health and welfare services managers (nec)
- Regional education manager
- Sports administrator
- Specialist managers (nec) except: (a) ambassador; or (b) archbishop; or (c) bishop
- Café or restaurant manager
- Caravan park and camping ground manager
- Post office manager
- Amusement centre manager
- Fitness centre manager
- Sports centre manager
- Customer service manager
- Conference and event organiser
- Transport company manager
- Facilities manager
- Financial institution branch manager
- Dancer or choreographer
- Musician (instrumental)
- Music professionals (nec)
- Photographer
- Book or script editor
- Director (film, television, radio or stage)
- Film and video editor
- Copywriter
- Newspaper or periodical editor
- Commodities trader
- Financial brokers (nec)
- Financial market dealer
- Stockbroking dealer
- Financial dealers (nec)
- Financial investment manager
- ICT trainer
- Gallery or museum curator
- Health information manager
- Records manager
- Economist
- Policy analyst
- Librarian
- Liaison officer
- Market research analyst
- Ship’s master
- Fashion designer
- Industrial designer
- Graphic designer
- Agricultural scientist
- Forester Conservation officer
- Environmental research scientist
- Biotechnologist
- Microbiologist
- Medical laboratory scientist
- Exercise physiologist
- Education adviser
- Art teacher (private tuition)
- Dance teacher (private tuition)
- Teacher of English to speakers of other languages
- Nutritionist Environmental health officer
- Health promotion officer
- Chiropractor
- Osteopath
- Acupuncturist
- Naturopath
- Nurse manager
- ICT security specialist
- ICT support engineer
- Telecommunications engineer
- Careers counsellor
- Family and marriage counsellor
- Counsellors (nec)
- Interpreter
- Social professionals (nec)
- Community arts worker
- Welfare worker
- Agricultural technician
- Medical laboratory technician
- Operating theatre technician
- Pathology collector
- Life science technician
- Safety inspector
- Radio communications technician
- Lift mechanic
- Animal attendants and trainers (nec)
- Florist
- Gardener (general)
- Dressmaker or tailor
- Jeweller
- Camera operator (film, television or video)
- Makeup artist
- Disabilities services officer
- Emergency service worker
- Driving instructor
- Funeral workers (nec)
- First aid trainer
- Gymnastics coach or instructor
- Horse riding coach or instructor
- Snowsport instructor
- Swimming coach or instructor
- Tennis coach
- Footballer
- Jockey Sportspersons (nec)
- Property manager
- Real estate representative
Occupations added to the list – only good news
Many occupations were added to the list, significantly expanding access to direct permanent residency under the 186 Direct Entry stream visa, as well as the 482 visa for many people:
- Agricultural and Agritech Technician
- Agronomist
- Air Transport Professionals nec
- Animal Husbandry Technician
- Aquaculture or Fisheries Scientist
- Aquaculture or Fisheries Technician
- Beauty Therapist
- Boarding Kennel or Cattery Operator
- Building Associate
- Chemical Plant Operator
- Child Care Worker
- Clerk of Court
- Content Creator (Marketing)
- Conveyancer
- Cyber Governance Risk and Compliance Specialist
- Cyber Security Advice and Assessment Specialist
- Cyber Security Analyst
- Cyber Security Architect
- Cyber Security Engineer
- Cyber Security Operations Coordinator
- Data Analyst
- Data Scientist
- Dental Prosthetist
- DevOps Engineer
- Diver
- Education Reviewer
- Electronic Engineering Technician
- Electroplater
- Engineering Patternmaker
- Entomologist
- Equipment Hire Manager
- Fire Protection Equipment Technician
- Fire Protection Plumber
- Fleet Manager
- Furniture Maker
- Graphic Pre-press Trades Worker
- Hospitality, Retail and Service Managers nec
- Hotel Service Manager
- Irrigation Designer
- Irrigation Technician
- Legal Secretary
- Licensed Club Manager
- Light Technician
- Metal Casting Trades Worker
- Office Manager
- Optical Dispenser \ Dispensing Optician
- Optical Mechanic
- Other Draftsperson
- Other Sports Coach or Instructor (Wushu Martial Arts Coach or Yoga Instructor)
- Out of School Hours Care Worker
- Penetration Tester
- Picture Framer
- Plastics Technician
- Primary Products Quality Assurance Officer
- Radio Journalist
- Regulatory Affairs Manager
- Respiratory Scientist
- Respiratory Technician
- Retail Manager (General)
- Sales Representative (Industrial Products)
- Sales Representative (Medical and Pharmaceutical Products)
- Screen Printer
- Ship’s Engineer
- Shoemaker
- Supply Chain Analyst
- Technicians and Trades Workers nec
- Telecommunications Cable Jointer
- Telecommunications Technician
- Textile, Clothing and Footwear Mechanic
- Tour Guide
- Travel Agency Manager
- Travel Consultant
- Tree Worker
What does it all mean
For occupations removed from the list, employers and employees must explore alternative visa pathways, such as the 186 Temporary Residence Transition stream, Labour Agreements, the Specialist Skills stream, or consider other on-list occupations where suitable.
It’s crucial to understand these updates and plan ahead for off-list occupation visa holders or any prospective applicants. If you’re considering an employer sponsored visa, please reach out to us for advice.
