Australia has long been a top destination for skilled workers seeking new opportunities. With a strong economy, high quality of life, and a demand for professionals across various industries, it remains one of the most attractive countries for skilled migration.
In 2025, the Australian government refined its Skilled Occupation List (SOL) to better align with labor market demands and attract professionals in critical sectors. Whether you’re an engineer, healthcare professional, IT specialist, or tradesperson, understanding the latest updates can help you plan your move effectively.
If you’re considering working or migrating to Australia, this guide will explain the Skilled Occupation List 2025, its classifications, and how you can take the next step toward your Australian dream.
What is the Skilled Occupation List?
The Skilled Occupation List (SOL) 2025 is a list of professions in demand in Australia. It is used to determine eligibility for skilled migration visas, which allow qualified individuals to apply for permanent residency or temporary work visas. The list is regularly updated to reflect labor shortages in various industries.
The following visa options are available for individuals who are qualified to work or train in an eligible skilled occupation in Australia and meet the requirements:
- Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa (subclass 186)
- Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) visa (subclass 187) – Temporary Resident Transition Stream
- Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) – Points-tested stream
- Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)
- Training visa (subclass 407)
- Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) – Core Skills Stream
- Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) – Post-Vocational Education Work stream
- Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489)
- Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491)
- Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494)
Not sure which visa suits you best? Book a free consultation with us to explore your options and take the first step toward working in Australia!
Types of Skilled Occupation Lists:
There are four main types of Skilled Occupation Lists, each addressing different needs:
- MLTSSL (Medium & Long-Term Strategic Skills List)
This list is intended for occupations in demand over the medium to long term in Australia. It is relevant for individuals with skills needed to fill positions that are critical to the country’s economic growth. - STSOL (Short-Term Skilled Occupation List)
The STSOL includes occupations that are in demand for the short term. This list reflects the immediate skills needs in specific sectors. - ROL (Regional Occupation List)
The ROL lists occupations specific to Australia’s regional areas. Individuals interested in working in these regions can find opportunities in sectors where the local demand for skilled professionals is higher. - Skilled Priority List for All States and Territories
This list highlights occupations that are prioritised in various states and territories across Australia. It helps individuals target regions with the highest demand for skilled workers.
| Occupation Title | ANZSCO Code | Assessing Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Chief Executive or Managing Director | 111111 | Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) |
| Corporate General Manager | 111211 | Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) |
| Aquaculture Farmer | 121111 | Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry |
| Apiarist | 121311 | Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry |
| Dairy Cattle Farmer | 121313 | Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry |
| Pig Farmer | 121315 | Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry |
| Poultry Farmer | 121321 | Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry |
| Flower Grower | 121611 | Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry |
| Sales and Marketing Manager | 131112 | Australian Marketing Institute (AMI) |
| Advertising Manager | 131113 | Media Federation of Australia (MFA) |
| Corporate Services Manager | 132111 | Australian Institute of Management (AIM) |
| Finance Manager | 132211 | Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA) |
| Human Resource Manager | 132311 | Australian Human Resources Institute (AHRI) |
| Policy and Planning Manager | 132411 | Australian Institute of Policy and Science (AIPS) |
| Research and Development Manager | 132511 | Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) |
| Construction Project Manager | 133111 | Australian Institute of Project Management (AIPM) |
| Project Builder | 133112 | Master Builders Australia (MBA) |
| Engineering Manager | 133211 | Engineers Australia |
| Production Manager (Forestry) | 133511 | Forest and Wood Products Australia (FWPA) |
| Production Manager (Manufacturing) | 133512 | Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) |
| Supply and Distribution Manager | 133611 | Logistics Association of Australia (LAA) |
| Procurement Manager | 133612 | Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) |
| Medical Administrator | 134211 | Australian Medical Association (AMA) |
| Nursing Clinical Director | 134212 | Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) |
| School Principal | 134311 | Australian Secondary Principals Association (ASPA) |
| Faculty Head | 134411 | Australian Council of Deans of Education (ACDE) |
| Education Managers nec | 134499 | Various Education Authorities |
| Chief Information Officer | 135111 | Australian Computer Society (ACS) |
| ICT Project Manager | 135112 | Australian Computer Society (ACS) |
| ICT Managers nec | 135199 | Australian Computer Society (ACS) |
| Arts Administrator or Manager | 139911 | National Association for the Visual Arts (NAVA) |
| Environmental Manager | 139912 | Environmental Institute of Australia and New Zealand (EIANZ) |
| Quality Assurance Manager | 139916 | Quality Institute of Australia (QIA) |
| Regulatory Affairs Manager | 139917 | Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society (RAPS) |
| Hotel or Motel Manager | 141311 | Australian Hotels Association (AHA) |
| Licensed Club Manager | 141411 | Clubs Australia |
| Accommodation and Hospitality Managers nec | 141999 | Various Hospitality Associations |
| Music Director | 211212 | Australian Music Council (AMC) |
| Artistic Director | 212111 | National Association for the Visual Arts (NAVA) |
| Program Director (Television or Radio) | 212315 | Screen Producers Australia (SPA) |
| Stage Manager | 212316 | Live Performance Australia (LPA) |
| Technical Director | 212317 | Australian Cinematographers Society (ACS) |
| Video Producer | 212318 | Screen Producers Australia (SPA) |
| Print Journalist | 212413 | Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA) |
| Radio Journalist | 212414 | Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA) |
| Technical Writer | 212415 | Australian Society of Technical Communicators (ASTC) |
| Television Journalist | 212416 | Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA) |
| Journalists and Other Writers nec | 212499 | Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA) |
| Accountant (General) | 221111 | Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) |
| Management Accountant | 221112 | CPA Australia |
| Taxation Accountant | 221113 | Tax Institute |
| Company Secretary | 221211 | Governance Institute of Australia |
| External Auditor | 221213 | Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) |
| Internal Auditor | 221214 | Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) |
| Finance Broker | 222112 | Finance Brokers Association of Australia (FBAA) |
| Insurance Broker | 222113 | National Insurance Brokers Association (NIBA) |
| Financial Investment Adviser | 222311 | Financial Planning Association of Australia (FPA) |
| Human Resource Adviser | 223111 | Australian Human Resources Institute (AHRI) |
| Recruitment Consultant | 223112 | Recruitment, Consulting and Staffing Association (RCSA) |
| Workplace Relations Adviser | 223113 | Australian Human Resources Institute (AHRI) |
| Actuary | 224111 | Institute of Actuaries of Australia |
| Analyst Programmer | 261311 | Australian Computer Society (ACS) |
| Developer Programmer | 261312 | Australian Computer Society (ACS) |
| Software Engineer | 261313 | Australian Computer Society (ACS) |
| Software Tester | 261314 | Australian Computer Society (ACS) |
| Cyber Security Engineer | 261315 | Australian Computer Society (ACS) |
| Cyber Security Analyst | 262116 | Australian Computer Society (ACS) |
| Network Administrator | 263112 | Australian Computer Society (ACS) |
| Network Analyst | 263113 | Australian Computer Society (ACS) |
| ICT Support and Test Engineers nec | 263299 | Australian Computer Society (ACS) |
| Telecommunications Network Engineer | 263312 | Australian Computer Society (ACS) |
| Barrister | 271111 | Law Society of New South Wales |
Key Updates to the 2025 SOL
For 2025, the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) has been introduced to replace the previous SOL, addressing workforce shortages more effectively. The CSOL is categorised into three pathways:
- Core Skills Pathway – This covers occupations critical to Australia’s infrastructure, such as engineers, construction managers, and IT professionals.
- Specialist Skills Pathway – Focuses on high-demand sectors like cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and advanced manufacturing.
- Essential Skills Pathway – Designed for critical services including healthcare, aged care, and hospitality.
Secure your future in Australia! Get professional assistance from our migration agent with your visa application and increase your chances of success. Contact us today!
Industries with High Demand in 2025
If you work in any of the following sectors, you may have strong prospects for Australian migration:
- Healthcare – Registered nurses, aged care workers, and medical specialists.
- Engineering & Construction – Civil engineers, project managers, and surveyors.
- IT & Cybersecurity – Software engineers, cybersecurity analysts, and data scientists.
- Trades – Electricians, plumbers, and carpenters.
How to Use the Skilled Occupation List?
To be eligible for various skilled migration visas, applicants need to ensure that their occupation is listed under one of the relevant categories: MLTSSL, STSOL, or ROL. Depending on the job, individuals may also need to undergo a skills assessment from an assessing authority that determines their qualifications and experience.
For example, engineers may need to have their qualifications assessed by Engineers Australia, while chefs would be evaluated by Trade Recognition Australia (TRA). Each occupation listed has a specific assessing authority.
Conclusion
The Skilled Occupation List is a key tool for skilled professionals interested in migrating to Australia. By ensuring that their occupation is listed in the appropriate category and meeting the relevant requirements, individuals can pursue opportunities to live and work in Australia and contribute to its economy.
For the most up-to-date information on occupations and eligibility, refer to the Australian Government’s official website. Or you can contact us for expert guidance on eligibility, skills assessment, and visa applications. Get in touch with us today to explore your options and take the next step toward your career in Australia!