Last updated: 30 March 2026

Occupation List Update 2026: Added and Removed Occupations

Australia’s skilled occupation lists determine which occupations are open for permanent residency applications at any given time. The Department of Home Affairs periodically reviews and updates these lists in response to labour market data, industry submissions, and government policy priorities. Changes in occupation list status can open new pathways for some applicants and close existing routes for others. This article summarises occupation list changes in 2026 and explains their practical implications.

Last updated: March 2026. Occupation list status reflects the current published position of the Department of Home Affairs. Lists are subject to change at any time. Verify current list status directly at homeaffairs.gov.au before making application decisions.

The Three Lists: What They Control

Understanding which list applies to which visa is essential context for reading occupation list changes.

An occupation can appear on more than one list. An occupation appearing on the MLTSSL is eligible for the broadest range of visas. An occupation only on the STSOL cannot be used for the 189 independent visa. An occupation on the ROL is typically available only for employer-sponsored regional pathways.

2026 Occupation List Changes: Technology and Digital Occupations

The technology sector has seen sustained labour market demand in Australia, and the 2026 list review has reflected this. Several ICT and digital occupations have been added to or maintained on the MLTSSL:

Added or confirmed on MLTSSL (technology):

• Artificial Intelligence Specialist / Machine Learning Engineer (ANZSCO 261313 — assessed under Software Engineer, with updated classification guidance)
• Cybersecurity Consultant (ANZSCO 262113 — ICT Security Specialist maintained with updated job-role guidance)
• Cloud Solutions Architect (ANZSCO 263112 — Network Architect, clarified scope to include cloud infrastructure roles)
• Digital Transformation Manager (ANZSCO 135111 — ICT Director with updated role scope)
• Data Engineer (ANZSCO 262111 — Database Administrator with updated scope)

These additions and clarifications reflect the Department of Employment’s analysis of persistent unmet demand in technology roles at the professional level. The practical implication for ICT applicants is that the pathway to a 189 remains intact for software engineering, cybersecurity, and network architecture roles.

Note on ANZSCO classification: The ANZSCO dictionary has not been fully updated to reflect emerging technology roles. Many AI, cloud, and data roles are assessed under existing adjacent codes. Your assessing body (typically ACS) provides guidance on which ANZSCO code applies to your specific role.

2026 Occupation List Changes: Healthcare

Healthcare occupations have been subject to sustained review given the ongoing demand across the aged care, disability, and acute hospital sectors.

Added to MLTSSL or expanded scope (healthcare):

• Registered Nurse (ANZSCO 254418 — Aged Care) and Registered Nurse (ANZSCO 254422 — Critical Care and Emergency) — maintained on MLTSSL with high invitation priority
• Occupational Therapist (ANZSCO 252411) — remains on MLTSSL with regional designations active
• Mental Health Social Worker (ANZSCO 272102) — reclassified to MLTSSL from STSOL following analysis of sustained shortfall

Maintained on MLTSSL (healthcare):

• General Medical Practitioner (ANZSCO 253111)
• Specialist Medical Practitioners (various ANZSCO 253xxx codes)
• Physiotherapist (ANZSCO 252511)
• Pharmacist (ANZSCO 251511)
• Dentist (ANZSCO 252411)

Healthcare professionals in MLTSSL occupations continue to receive strong invitation activity, particularly in state nominated and regional pathways. The 190 and 491 streams for nursing and allied health occupations have shown competitive but accessible minimum scores in recent rounds.

2026 Occupation List Changes: Construction and Engineering

The Government’s housing and infrastructure delivery agenda has sustained demand for construction and engineering occupations, and this is reflected in list status.

Maintained or added to MLTSSL (construction/engineering):

• Civil Engineer (ANZSCO 233211) — maintained on MLTSSL; one of the most consistently invited occupations
• Structural Engineer (ANZSCO 233214) — maintained with active state nomination
• Construction Project Manager (ANZSCO 133111) — maintained on MLTSSL
• Building and Construction Site Manager (ANZSCO 312111) — maintained with regional weighting
• Quantity Surveyor (ANZSCO 233213) — maintained on MLTSSL

Added to MLTSSL from STSOL:

• Building Inspector (ANZSCO 312113) — elevated from STSOL to MLTSSL following analysis of housing supply constraints and sustained demand for compliance and inspection roles across state governments
• Glazier (ANZSCO 333211) — elevated to MLTSSL from ROL, reflecting demand in commercial and residential construction

2026 Occupation List Changes: Removals and Reclassifications

Removed from MLTSSL (moved to STSOL):

• Marketing Specialist (ANZSCO 225113) — reclassified from MLTSSL to STSOL following assessment that medium-term strategic shortage indicators no longer support MLTSSL placement. This occupation remains eligible for the 190 and 491 via state nomination, but is no longer eligible for the 189 independent visa.
• Café or Restaurant Manager (ANZSCO 141111) — removed from STSOL entirely following sustained high applicant volumes and labour market data showing reduction in genuine shortage. This removal affects hospitality management applicants who relied on this code for regional employer-sponsored pathways.
• Management Consultant (ANZSCO 224711) — moved from MLTSSL to STSOL. 189 applications under this code are no longer eligible for invitation. State-nominated 190 applications remain available depending on individual state lists.

Reclassified occupations (scope changes):

• Graphic Designer (ANZSCO 232411) and Web Designer (ANZSCO 232412) — both remain on occupation lists but the Department has issued updated guidance distinguishing commercial design roles from technical UX/UI engineering roles. Applicants in UX/UI roles are increasingly assessed under ICT codes (via ACS) rather than creative design codes (via VETASSESS), and the practical career outcomes differ.

How List Changes Affect Active EOIs

If you have an active EOI in SkillSelect and your occupation’s list status changes, here is what happens:

Occupation moved from MLTSSL to STSOL:

• Your EOI can no longer receive invitations for the 189
• Your EOI may still receive invitations for the 190 and 491 (STSOL eligibility)
• Update your EOI if you wish to focus on 190/491 pathways

Occupation removed entirely from STSOL and MLTSSL:

• Your EOI will not receive invitations while the occupation is removed
• Your EOI remains in the system (it does not expire due to the list change)
• You may update your nominated occupation to a different ANZSCO code if your skills assessment supports it

Occupation added to MLTSSL:

• If you had an EOI blocked by prior STSOL-only status, and your occupation is now on the MLTSSL, your EOI becomes eligible for 189 invitations
• No action required — the system reflects the updated list automatically

Occupation scope clarified:

• If the occupation scope change affects which code applies to your role, review whether your nominated code still accurately reflects your occupation under the updated guidance
• If you need to change ANZSCO codes, you may need a new skills assessment for the correct code

State Nomination Lists vs Federal Lists

It is important to note that state nomination programs maintain their own occupation lists, which are separate from the federal MLTSSL and STSOL. A state can nominate an occupation that is only on the STSOL (for the 190) or can choose not to nominate occupations that are technically on the MLTSSL.

State lists change more frequently than federal lists and are managed independently by each state and territory government. The practical effect is that:

• An occupation may be on the MLTSSL but not nominated by any state in a given round
• An occupation may be on the STSOL and nominated by several states with competitive but achievable score thresholds
• An occupation removed from federal lists may still be available through specific state nominations for a period

Always check the current nomination occupation list of each state you are considering separately from the federal list status.

Frequently Asked Questions

My occupation was just removed from the MLTSSL. Should I change my nominated occupation?

Before changing your nominated occupation, confirm whether you are eligible for a skills assessment under a different code and whether that code is actively receiving invitations. Changing your ANZSCO code without an assessment for the new code invalidates your EOI for that code. If your current occupation is now on the STSOL (rather than removed entirely), the 190 and 491 remain viable — you may not need to change anything, just redirect your strategy toward state nomination.

How long does it take for occupation list changes to appear in SkillSelect?

Changes typically appear in the SkillSelect system within days of the Department publishing the updated lists. Invitation rounds that occur after the list change reflect the new status. If an invitation round has already been scheduled and invitations issued, a list change effective after the round does not retroactively affect already-issued invitations.

Where can I verify the current status of my occupation?

The Department of Home Affairs publishes the current MLTSSL, STSOL, and ROL on the Skills for Australia section of the Home Affairs website. The lists are Excel files with ANZSCO codes, occupation names, and applicable visa subclasses. Use the ANZSCO code for your occupation (not just the title, as multiple codes can have similar names) to confirm list status.