Australia Skilled Occupation List 2026: How to Check If Your Job Qualifies

What is the Skilled Occupation List?

The Skilled Occupation List (SOL) is the gating mechanism for Australia's entire skilled migration programme. Put simply: if your occupation is not on the list, you cannot apply for most skilled migration visas, regardless of your qualifications, work experience, or points score.

The list is managed by the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) and is updated periodically — typically in alignment with Australia's broader Migration Strategy and advice from Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) about labour market needs. Occupations are added and removed based on where Australia has identified genuine skills shortages and where the domestic labour market can meet demand without migration.

Understanding how the list works — and which sub-list your occupation sits on — is one of the most fundamental steps in assessing your skilled migration options.

The three lists explained

There are three key lists, and which list your occupation appears on determines which visa subclasses you can apply for:

MLTSSL is where you want your occupation to be. Being on the MLTSSL gives you access to the full range of skilled migration pathways — including the independent Subclass 189, which requires no state nomination. An occupation on the MLTSSL signals that Australia has identified a genuine medium-to-long-term need for those skills.

STSOL occupations are considered by DHA to be in shorter-term demand or higher supply. They are excluded from the independent 189 visa — you will need state nomination (190 or 491) or employer sponsorship (482) to use an STSOL occupation. Some states can also add their own occupation preferences on top of the STSOL for specific nomination purposes.

ROL occupations have the most restricted access — only available for regional visa pathways (491 and employer-sponsored 494). This typically reflects occupations where demand is concentrated in regional areas but not in metropolitan centres.

Understanding ANZSCO codes

Every occupation on the Skilled Occupation Lists is identified by an ANZSCO code — the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations. Before you can check whether your occupation is eligible for skilled migration, you need to identify the correct ANZSCO code for your role.

ANZSCO codes are hierarchical six-digit numbers. The first two digits indicate the major group (e.g., 26 = ICT Professionals), the next two indicate the sub-major group, and the final two identify the specific occupation unit group.

It is important to identify the most accurate ANZSCO code for your actual role, not just the code that appears most eligible. DHA and skills assessing bodies assess your duties against the ANZSCO unit group description — if there is a mismatch between your claimed occupation and your actual work, your skills assessment or visa application can be refused.

How to check your occupation

The definitive source for skilled occupation eligibility is the Department of Home Affairs website. The process is straightforward:

1. Go to homeaffairs.gov.au and navigate to the Skilled Occupation Lists section (search "skilled occupation list" in the site search).
2. Download the current MLTSSL, STSOL, and ROL documents (usually Excel or PDF format).
3. Search by your occupation title or six-digit ANZSCO code within those documents.
4. Check which list your occupation appears on and which visa subclasses are listed against it.
5. Confirm the relevant assessing authority for your occupation — this will be listed in the same document or in the linked occupation pages.

Do not rely on third-party websites or tools — including immigration agent websites, forums, or comparison sites — as your primary source. These are frequently outdated and have caused applicants to proceed with visa applications based on incorrect eligibility information. The DHA website is the only authoritative source.

Skills assessment bodies

Once you have confirmed your occupation is on the relevant list, the next step is obtaining a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority. Each occupation is assigned to a specific body that evaluates whether your qualifications and work experience meet Australian standards.

Skills assessment costs typically range from $400 to $1,000 or more depending on the assessing body, the complexity of the application, and whether you opt for standard or expedited processing where available. Some bodies also charge additional fees for recognition of prior learning assessments or appeals.

What happens when an occupation is removed

DHA periodically reviews the Skilled Occupation Lists and removes occupations where labour market conditions have changed — typically where supply now meets demand without migration, or where an occupation is being restructured. Removals can happen with little notice and can affect thousands of applicants mid-process.

If your occupation is removed from the lists while you are in the process, the practical implications depend on your stage:

• If you have already received an invitation and lodged your visa application: You are generally protected — your application is assessed based on the list at the time of invitation.
• If you have an EOI in SkillSelect but have not yet been invited: Your EOI may no longer be valid for that visa subclass and you may need to reassess your pathway.
• If you are still at the planning stage: You need to explore alternative occupations or visa pathways.

Even if your primary occupation is removed, you may still be eligible for employer-sponsored visas (Subclass 482), which can sponsor certain occupations — including some on the STSOL for short-term positions — without the same occupation list restrictions as the points-tested visas.

What to do if your occupation is not listed

Finding that your occupation is not on any of the three lists is not necessarily the end of your Australian migration options. There are several alternative pathways to consider:

1. Check for a related or alternative ANZSCO code. Many roles sit at the boundary of two or more ANZSCO unit groups. A software developer working primarily on embedded systems might qualify under Software Engineer or Electronics Engineer. Discuss the options with a Registered Migration Agent or directly with the relevant assessing body.
2. Employer-sponsored Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage). The 482 short-term stream does not require the occupation to be on the MLTSSL — it draws from both the MLTSSL and STSOL. If an Australian employer needs your skills and is willing to sponsor you, this is often a viable path even when independent or state-nominated pathways are not available.
3. State and territory-specific occupation lists. Some states and territories maintain their own occupation demand lists for state nomination programmes. An occupation that is not on the national STSOL may still be eligible for nomination by a specific state — particularly for regional areas with niche skill shortages.
4. Global Talent Programme. For highly accomplished professionals at the top of their field in targeted sectors (fintech, medtech, quantum, AI, cybersecurity, etc.), the Global Talent Independent Programme (GTI) offers a pathway outside the standard occupation lists.

Key tips for checking your eligibility

• Always use homeaffairs.gov.au as your primary source — not third-party immigration websites, social media groups, or comparison tools. The SOL is updated without announcement and outdated information is pervasive online.
• Confirm your ANZSCO code with your skills assessing body before applying. Most major bodies — ACS, Engineers Australia, VETASSESS — have pre-assessment enquiry processes or published guidance on how to identify the right code. Use these resources.
• Read the ANZSCO unit group description carefully. Your skills assessment and ultimately your visa application will be evaluated against the tasks listed in the ANZSCO description for your occupation unit group. If your actual duties do not align, flag this early.
• Do not apply for a skills assessment in an occupation you do not genuinely work in. Misrepresenting your occupation in a migration application is a serious matter and can result in a permanent bar from Australian visas.
• Monitor DHA announcements. Subscribe to DHA email updates or check the site regularly if you are in a longer-term migration planning phase — occupation list changes can affect your strategy significantly.