Understanding the Skilled Occupation Lists
Australia maintains several skilled occupation lists that determine which visas you can apply for. Your occupation must appear on one of these lists to be eligible for most skilled visa pathways.
MLTSSL (Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List)
Occupations on the MLTSSL are eligible for the widest range of visas, including the independent subclass 189. These are occupations considered to be in long-term demand in the Australian labour market.
STSOL (Short-term Skilled Occupation List)
STSOL occupations are eligible for state-nominated (190), regional (491), and some employer-sponsored visas. The independent 189 is not available for STSOL occupations.
ROL (Regional Occupation List)
The ROL covers additional occupations available only for regional visas (491, 494). These occupations address specific labour shortages in regional Australia.
Skills Assessment
Before applying for a skilled visa, you must have your qualifications and experience assessed by the relevant assessing authority for your occupation. Each occupation is assigned to a specific assessing body, shown in the table above.
For a detailed guide on the assessment process, visit our skills assessment guide.