Quick Answer Australia’s Skilled Occupation List includes hundreds of occupations eligible for skilled migration, employer sponsorship, and regional visas. Popular occupations for Filipinos include nurses, teachers, engineers, IT professionals, electricians, accountants, physiotherapists, and construction trades. Your occupation must appear on an eligible occupation list and usually requires a positive skills assessment before you can apply for most skilled visas.
Key Takeaways
- Australia uses occupation lists to determine visa eligibility — not every job qualifies for every visa.
- Most skilled migration pathways require your occupation to sit on an approved list before you can even lodge an application.
- Popular visas tied to these lists include Subclass 189, 190, 491, 482, and 186.
- Different occupations have different assessing authorities, and using the wrong one is a common, avoidable delay.
- Healthcare, engineering, education, construction, and IT remain among the strongest sectors for Filipino migrants.
What Is the Australia Skilled Occupation List?
The “Skilled Occupation List” isn’t actually one single document — it’s shorthand for a set of overlapping lists the Department of Home Affairs maintains to define which occupations qualify for which skilled visa. Every occupation on these lists is tied to a six-digit ANZSCO code (Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations), the standardized system Australia uses to classify jobs by the tasks and skill level they involve.
Occupation lists exist because Australia’s skilled migration program is demand-driven: the government wants to fill genuine labor shortages, not simply grant visas to anyone with a degree. Your nominated occupation determines which visa subclasses you’re eligible for, which assessing authority reviews your qualifications, and in some cases which state or territory is likely to prioritize your nomination.
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ANZSCO | Australia’s standard occupation classification system; every skilled visa requires a matching six-digit code |
| MLTSSL | Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List — occupations eligible for the 189, 190, and 491 visas (212 occupations) |
| STSOL | Short-Term Skilled Occupation List — occupations eligible for the 190 and 491 visas only (215 occupations) |
| ROL | Regional Occupation List — occupations tied specifically to the 491 regional visa (77 occupations) |
| CSOL | Core Skills Occupation List — the newer, consolidated list used for the Skills in Demand (482) visa and the Direct Entry stream of the Employer Nomination Scheme (186); 456 occupations as of 2026 |
Home Affairs also uses two different versions of the ANZSCO classification depending on the visa: the 2022 version applies to the Subclass 186 (including CSOL occupations), while the 2013 version still applies to the MLTSSL, STSOL, and ROL used by the 189, 190, and 491. If you’ve previously held a skilled visa, it’s worth double-checking your occupation code hasn’t been reclassified or split into a more specific specialization under the newer version.
How occupations get selected for these lists. Home Affairs, working with Jobs and Skills Australia, reviews labor market data — vacancy rates, wage growth, and workforce projections — to decide which occupations demonstrate a genuine, ongoing shortage rather than a temporary hiring spike. This is why the lists aren’t static: an occupation can be added when a shortage becomes evident, and removed once the local labor market catches up with demand. For applicants, that means the list you check today is only a snapshot — always confirm against the current, official version before committing months of preparation to a specific occupation.
Why ANZSCO precision matters more than job titles. Two Filipino applicants with nearly identical resumes can end up with very different outcomes if one correctly identifies their occupation as, say, Civil Engineer (233211) while the other mistakenly claims Engineering Technologist (233914) because that was their exact job title back home. Assessing authorities and Home Affairs both evaluate the actual tasks and duties described in your evidence — not the title on your old company ID — so getting this classification right from the outset avoids a rejected or delayed skills assessment months into the process.
Why the Skilled Occupation List Matters for Filipino Migrants
Visa eligibility. If your occupation doesn’t appear on the list attached to a given visa, you simply cannot apply through that pathway — no exceptions, regardless of how strong your qualifications or experience are.
PR pathways. Occupations on the MLTSSL open the door to all three points-tested permanent and provisional visas (189, 190, 491), while STSOL and ROL occupations are more restricted, and CSOL occupations generally route through employer sponsorship rather than points-tested permanent residency directly.
Skills assessments. Each occupation is tied to a specific assessing authority, and that authority — not Home Affairs — decides whether your Philippine qualifications and experience meet the required Australian standard.
State nomination. States and territories publish their own occupation priority lists on top of the national ones, based on local labor market needs. An occupation with weak national demand can still be a strong nomination candidate in a specific state experiencing a shortage.
Employer sponsorship. For applicants without a strong points score, having an occupation on the CSOL — paired with a genuine job offer — often opens a faster route into Australia than waiting for a competitive points-tested invitation.
Australia Visa Pathways Linked to Skilled Occupations
| Visa | Leads to PR | Points Test | Sponsor Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent) | Yes | Yes | No |
| Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated) | Yes | Yes | State |
| Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional) | Pathway (via 191) | Yes | State/Family |
| Subclass 482 (Skills in Demand) | No (direct) | No | Employer |
| Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination) | Yes | No | Employer |
Note that the 189 draws only from the MLTSSL, the 190 and 491 can draw from the MLTSSL, STSOL, or ROL depending on the state and stream, and the 482/186 draw from the CSOL. This is exactly why checking your occupation against the correct list — not just any list — matters before committing to a migration strategy.
Most In-Demand Occupations for Filipinos in Australia
Healthcare Occupations
- Registered Nurse (multiple specializations)
- Midwife
- Physiotherapist
- Occupational Therapist
- Pharmacist
- Medical Laboratory Scientist
Healthcare occupations have remained in near-continuous shortage for years and consistently see some of the lowest competitive points thresholds and the strongest state nomination support of any professional category — a major reason they dominate Filipino skilled migration numbers. Registered Nurse alone splits into more than a dozen ANZSCO specializations (Aged Care, Community Health, Critical Care and Emergency, Medical, and more), which matters because state nomination programs sometimes prioritize specific specializations over others depending on local hospital and aged-care staffing needs.
Engineering Occupations
- Civil Engineer
- Mechanical Engineer
- Electrical Engineer
- Structural Engineer
Engineering occupations sit almost entirely on the MLTSSL, meaning they’re eligible across all three points-tested pathways (189, 190, 491). Demand tends to track major infrastructure, renewable energy, and construction activity, which is why civil and structural engineers in particular have seen sustained state nomination interest in recent years.
Information Technology Occupations
- Software Engineer
- ICT Business Analyst
- Systems Analyst
- Developer Programmer
IT occupations benefit from Australia’s continued digital economy expansion, though several — including Software Engineer — have historically drawn heavy global interest, pushing competitive points thresholds higher than in less crowded occupations. Many ICT applicants combine their ACS skills assessment with an ICT Professional Year program, which can add valuable points and local experience to an otherwise borderline profile.
Education Occupations
- Early Childhood Teacher
- Secondary School Teacher
- Special Needs Teacher
Teaching occupations require both an AITSL skills assessment and separate state-based teacher registration before you can actually work in a classroom — a two-step process that catches some applicants off guard when they assume the skills assessment alone is sufficient.
Skilled Trades
- Electrician
- Plumber
- Welder
- Carpenter
Trades occupations generally face lower points-test competition than professional occupations, particularly in regional areas, though they typically require a hands-on practical skills assessment in addition to paper qualifications. Because many trades sit on the Regional Occupation List specifically, the Subclass 491 is often the most realistic pathway for tradespeople rather than the fully points-tested 189.
Australia Skilled Occupation List by Industry
Healthcare
| Occupation | ANZSCO | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse (specializations, e.g. Medical/Aged Care/Critical Care) | 2544xx | ANMAC |
| Midwife | 254111 | ANMAC |
| Physiotherapist | 252511 | Australian Physiotherapy Council (APC) |
| Occupational Therapist | 252411 | Occupational Therapy Australia (OTC) |
| Pharmacist (Retail/Hospital) | 251511 | Australian Pharmacy Council |
| Medical Laboratory Scientist | 234611 | AIMS / relevant health authority |
Engineering
| Occupation | ANZSCO | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | 233211 | Engineers Australia |
| Structural Engineer | 233214 | Engineers Australia |
| Electrical Engineer | 233311 | Engineers Australia |
| Mechanical Engineer | 233512 | Engineers Australia |
Information Technology
| Occupation | ANZSCO | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 261313 | Australian Computer Society (ACS) |
| Developer Programmer | 261312 | Australian Computer Society (ACS) |
| ICT Business Analyst | 261111 | Australian Computer Society (ACS) |
| Computer Network and Systems Engineer | 263111 | Australian Computer Society (ACS) |
Education
| Occupation | ANZSCO | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Early Childhood (Pre-Primary) Teacher | 241111 | AITSL |
| Secondary School Teacher | 241411 | AITSL |
| Special Needs Teacher | 241511 | AITSL |
Trades
| Occupation | ANZSCO | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Electrician (General) | 341111 | Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) |
| Plumber (General) | 334111 | Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) |
| Welder (First Class) | 322313 | Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) |
| Carpenter | 331212 | Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) |
Registration or licensing requirements typically apply on top of a positive skills assessment for most occupations in these tables — an assessment confirms you’re competent, but AHPRA, a state teacher registration board, or a state trades licensing authority is usually what actually authorizes you to practice or work.
Skills Assessment Authorities Explained
Each Australian skilled occupation is tied to exactly one designated assessing authority, and using the wrong one — or assuming a general “immigration assessment” covers occupation-specific competency — is one of the most common and costly mistakes applicants make.
| Authority | Covers |
|---|---|
| ANMAC | Nursing and midwifery occupations |
| APC | Physiotherapy |
| AHPRA-linked boards | Several other regulated health professions, working alongside occupation-specific assessing bodies |
| ACS | Information and communications technology occupations |
| Engineers Australia | All engineering disciplines, via a Competency Demonstration Report (CDR) |
| AITSL | Teaching occupations, across early childhood, primary, and secondary levels |
| TRA | Trades occupations, typically combining document review with a practical skills test |
| VETASSESS | A wide range of business, management, and other professional occupations not covered by a dedicated authority |
Accounting occupations (General Accountant, Management Accountant, Taxation Accountant, External Auditor) sit on the MLTSSL and are assessed by CPA Australia, Chartered Accountants ANZ, or the Institute of Public Accountants — worth noting since accounting is a popular MLTSSL occupation among Filipino applicants but historically faces high points competition, often clearing at 90+ points in recent invitation rounds.
What each authority actually checks. While the specifics vary, most assessing authorities evaluate three things in combination: whether your qualification is comparable to an Australian equivalent (often requiring a detailed transcript review, and for engineers, a full Competency Demonstration Report describing real projects you worked on); whether your documented work experience genuinely matches the nominated occupation’s core duties; and, for regulated professions like nursing, physiotherapy, and pharmacy, whether you also meet a separate registration standard tied to actually practicing in Australia — which is a distinct step from the migration-focused skills assessment itself.
How to Check if Your Occupation Is Eligible
- Identify your occupation as Home Affairs classifies it. Your actual job title in the Philippines may not match the exact ANZSCO occupation name — focus on the tasks and duties you perform, not your job title alone.
- Find your ANZSCO code. Use the official Home Affairs occupation search tool or the ABS ANZSCO classification browser to match your role to its correct six-digit code.
- Check which occupation list your code sits on. Confirm whether it appears on the MLTSSL, STSOL, ROL, or CSOL — and note that some occupations appear on more than one.
- Confirm which visa subclasses that list unlocks. Cross-reference your occupation list against the visa comparison table above to see your realistic options.
- Complete a skills assessment with the correct authority. Submit your qualifications, licenses, and employment history to the specific assessing body tied to your occupation.
- Prepare your visa application. Once you hold a positive skills assessment, move on to English testing (if not already done), your Expression of Interest, and the visa application itself.
A note on getting step 1 and 2 right the first time. Because everything downstream — your assessing authority, your visa eligibility, and even your points calculation — depends on the occupation and code you settle on, it’s worth spending real time confirming this before spending money on assessments or tests. Reviewing the official ANZSCO unit group description for your intended occupation, and comparing it line-by-line against your actual job description and daily responsibilities, is a better use of an afternoon early on than discovering a mismatch after a skills assessment fee has already been paid.
Occupations Commonly Chosen by Filipino Professionals
Nurses. The single largest Filipino skilled migration category, reflecting both the Philippines’ large nursing graduate output and Australia’s persistent nursing shortage across hospitals, aged care, and community health.
Teachers. Secondary and early childhood teaching roles remain in demand nationally, though applicants should budget extra time for state-based teacher registration on top of the AITSL skills assessment. (See our companion guide: How Filipino Teachers Can Work in Australia.)
Engineers. Civil and mechanical engineering see strong, steady demand tied to infrastructure and construction activity, assessed through Engineers Australia’s document-heavy Competency Demonstration Report process. (See our companion guide: How Filipino Engineers Can Work in Australia.)
IT professionals. Software engineers, developers, and business analysts benefit from Australia’s ongoing digital economy growth, assessed by the Australian Computer Society, sometimes alongside an ICT Professional Year program.
Accountants. A long-standing MLTSSL occupation for Filipino migrants, though one of the more points-competitive categories — a strong English score and additional experience often matter more here than in less competitive occupations.
Physiotherapists. Assessed through the Australian Physiotherapy Council, typically via the APEP pathway. (See our full guide: How Filipino Physical Therapists Can Work in Australia.)
Occupational therapists and pharmacists. Both follow a similar overseas-qualification assessment structure to physiotherapy — a document review followed by a competency or registration exam component — and both remain in genuine national shortage, particularly outside the largest capital cities.
Trades workers. Electricians and plumbers, in particular, combine strong regional demand with comparatively lower points-test competition than the professional occupations above, making the Subclass 491 a frequently underused option among Filipino tradespeople who default to assuming migration is only realistic for degree-holders.
What If Your Occupation Is Not on the Skilled Occupation List?
Not being on a points-tested list doesn’t automatically close the door to Australia. A few realistic alternatives exist:
- Employer sponsorship. Some occupations excluded from the MLTSSL/STSOL/ROL still appear on the broader CSOL, making the Subclass 482 a viable route if you can secure a genuine job offer from an approved sponsor.
- Regional pathways and labour agreements. Some regions negotiate Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMAs) that allow a wider range of occupations than the standard national lists, specifically to address local shortages.
- The student pathway. Completing an Australian qualification in a genuinely in-demand field can effectively let you change your migration occupation altogether, rather than trying to force your existing Philippine qualification onto a list it doesn’t fit.
- Occupation reclassification. Sometimes a closely related ANZSCO code — reflecting the same core duties under a different title — is a legitimate, better fit than the occupation you initially assumed applied to you.
- A longer-term career pivot. For occupations facing no realistic pathway at all, some applicants choose to build additional qualifications or experience in an adjacent, listed occupation rather than waiting for policy changes that may never come.
Occupation lists are reviewed periodically and occupations do move on and off — so an occupation excluded today isn’t necessarily excluded permanently, but planning around today’s list rather than a hoped-for future update is the safer approach.
Weighing the alternatives realistically. Employer sponsorship tends to be the fastest of these alternatives when a genuine job offer exists, since it sidesteps the points system entirely, but it also ties your visa status to a single employer until you qualify for permanent residency. DAMAs and regional labour agreements can open doors for niche occupations, but they’re geographically limited and often require you to commit to a specific region for an extended period. The student pathway is the slowest option of the group — often two to three years including study time — but it’s also the most flexible, since it lets you build an entirely new, in-demand qualification rather than working around the limitations of your existing one.
Common Mistakes When Checking Occupation Eligibility
- Using the wrong ANZSCO code. Choosing a code based on job title rather than actual duties performed — a mismatch here can derail an entire skills assessment.
- Using the wrong assessing authority. Submitting an application to a generalist body (like VETASSESS) when your occupation has its own dedicated authority (like APC or ACS), or vice versa.
- Relying on outdated occupation lists. Home Affairs updates these lists periodically; a list saved or printed even a year ago may no longer reflect current eligibility.
- Assuming all visas use the same list. As shown above, the 189 draws only from the MLTSSL, while the 482 and 186 draw from the entirely separate CSOL — confirming eligibility for one visa says nothing about eligibility for another.
- Ignoring state nomination requirements. Overlooking the fact that state-specific occupation priority lists and criteria can differ meaningfully from the national STSOL/MLTSSL, sometimes making an occupation viable in one state and not another.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my occupation eligible for Australia migration? It depends on whether your occupation, correctly matched to its ANZSCO code, appears on the MLTSSL, STSOL, ROL, or CSOL — and which of those lists is tied to the visa you’re targeting.
How do I find my ANZSCO code? Match your actual job duties (not just your job title) against the official ANZSCO classification using the Home Affairs occupation search tool or the ABS ANZSCO browser, focusing on the description of tasks rather than the occupation name alone.
What occupations are in demand in Australia? Healthcare (nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, pharmacy), engineering (civil, mechanical, electrical), IT (software engineering, business analysis), education (secondary and early childhood teaching), and skilled trades (electricians, plumbers) remain consistently strong sectors.
Can I migrate if my occupation is not on the list? Yes, through alternatives such as employer sponsorship under the CSOL, regional labour agreements, the student-to-migration pathway, or by identifying a closely related, eligible occupation that matches your actual duties.
Which occupation list is used for Subclass 189? The Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) only — the 189 does not draw from the STSOL, ROL, or CSOL.
Do I need a skills assessment? Yes, for virtually all points-tested and most employer-sponsored skilled visa pathways, a positive skills assessment from your occupation’s designated assessing authority is a mandatory prerequisite.
What is the difference between MLTSSL and STSOL? The MLTSSL covers longer-term strategic shortage occupations eligible for the 189, 190, and 491 visas, while the STSOL covers shorter-term shortage occupations eligible only for the 190 and 491 — STSOL occupations cannot be used for an independent 189 application.
Which occupations have the highest demand in Australia? Nursing and other healthcare occupations currently show the strongest, most sustained demand, reflected in comparatively lower competitive points thresholds and the broadest state nomination support of any occupation category.
Can two people with the same job have different ANZSCO codes? Yes. ANZSCO classifies by actual duties performed, not job title — a “Senior Engineer” at one Philippine company might correctly map to Civil Engineer (233211), while someone with the same title at a different company, doing more specialized structural design work, might correctly map to Structural Engineer (233214). Getting this right depends on how well your evidence documents your actual day-to-day responsibilities.
Does my occupation being on the list guarantee a visa invitation? No. Being on an eligible occupation list is a prerequisite, not a guarantee — you still need to meet the points test minimum, achieve a competitive score relative to other applicants in your occupation, and secure an invitation within that occupation’s annual allocation ceiling.
Do occupation lists change often? Yes, periodically — Home Affairs reviews and updates the lists based on current labor market data, so an occupation that wasn’t eligible last year could be added, and one that was eligible could be removed. Always check the current, official list rather than relying on an older version.
For the full migration process — visas, points test, costs, and timelines — see our companion guide, the Australia Migration Guide for Filipinos. Related resources: the Australia Points Calculator Guide, the Australia Skills Assessment Guide, our Australia Visa 189 vs 190 vs 491 comparison, IELTS Requirements for Australia Migration, and the State Nomination Australia Guide.
This article reflects publicly available Department of Home Affairs and assessing-authority information as of September 2026. Occupation lists, ANZSCO codes, and visa settings are reviewed and updated periodically — always verify current details directly with the Department of Home Affairs and the relevant assessing authority before making migration decisions. This article is for general informational purposes only and is not migration advice.
Related Guides
- How Filipinos Can Work in Australia (2026 Complete Guide)
- How Filipino Teachers Can Work in Australia (2026 Guide)
- How Filipino Nurses Can Work in Australia (2026): AHPRA, NCLEX & Visa Guide
- How Filipino Engineers Can Work in Australia (2026): Engineers Australia Skills Assessment & Visa Guide
- How Filipino Physical Therapists Can Work in Australia: APC Skills Assessment & Visa Guide
- Australia Migration Guide for Filipinos: Visa Pathways, Requirements & Skilled Occupation