Skilled Occupation List 2026: A Guide for International Students in Australia

If you’re thinking about the next best step to your permanent residency in Australia, you need to make sure that your job is included in the Skilled Occupation List.

This helps you know your eligibility for temporary or permanent visas.

So, is your job still in demand?

Here are the key things you need to know about Australia’s Skilled Occupation List.

• What is the Skilled Occupation List?

• Australia State-Specific SOL 2025-26 Updates

• What jobs are in demand in Australia in 2026?

• Skilled Occupation List 2026: Top Occupation Groups

• Skilled Occupation List 2026: State-specific updates

• What visas can you apply for if your job is on the Skilled Occupation List?

• Understand your visa options

• The Medium and Long‑term Strategic Skills List 2025

• FAQs

The Skilled Occupation List is a list of jobs for which Australia needs more workers. 

If your job is on this list, it means Australia needs your skills, and you may be eligible to apply for a skilled visa.

But it’s not just one simple list. The SOL is made up of different streams, visa options, and even state-specific lists. Let’s break it down simply! 

What are the different Skilled Occupation Lists (Streams)?

The Skilled Occupation List (SOL) isn’t just one big list. 

It’s made up of three main streams. Each stream is linked to different types of skilled visas.

Here’s what they mean:

Each state and territory in Australia has its own version of the Skilled Occupation List. 

These are based on local job needs. So, if a state is looking for more nurses, engineers, or chefs, it’ll include those jobs on its list.

The table below shows the 2025-26 skilled visa nomination allocations for each Australian state and territory.

These are the numbers of people each state can nominate for the Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated) and Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional) visas.

Learn more about the 2025–26 Skilled Migration Program details and what they mean for you as an international student.

Looking for state-specific skilled occupation lists?

We have pulled together the latest 2025-2026 occupation list updates below:

• 2025-26 South Australia Skilled Migration Program

• 2025-26 Western Australia Skilled Migration Program

• 2025–26 NSW Skilled Migration Program

• 2025–26 Victoria Skilled Migration Program

• 2025–26 ACT Skilled Migration Program

• 2025-26 Tasmania Skilled Migration Program

• 2025-26 NT Skilled Migration Program

• 2025-26 Queensland Skilled Migration Program

Need more information about the skilled occupation list?

Let’s hop into our SOL 101 (simple and student-friendly)!

The SOL is not just a list of occupations.

When you see the list below, you’ll find it comes with ANZSCO codes and skill levels.

And before you even get confused and start Googling away, let’s clarify all these first! 

The Skilled Occupation List (SOL) combines all eligible skilled occupations in Australia and includes the following:

• An ANZSCO code – The Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) code for each occupation.

• An assessing authority – This is the organisation responsible for checking whether your qualifications and experience match Australian standards. You must pass a skills assessment from this authority before applying for most skilled visas.

• Visa conditions – Some jobs come with specific restrictions, especially under temporary employer-sponsored visas.

• Skill level - Each ANZSCO code is linked to a skill level, which shows the qualification or experience needed to do the job in Australia.

Learn from students around the world as they share their inspiring visa success stories in Australia.

Based on combined data from the Occupation Shortage List and state nomination priorities in the 2025-26 Skilled Migration Program, healthcare, engineering, education, ICT, and trade occupations are the top in-demand industries in Australia in 2026. 

According to the 2025 Occupation Shortage List (OSL):

• 139 occupations have been in persistent shortage every year from 2021 to 2025.

• Shortages remain concentrated in skilled, qualified roles, not entry-level jobs.

These patterns strongly influence how Australia’s Skilled Occupation List is set for 2026.

Healthcare and the Care Economy

Why it’s in demand:

• Healthcare roles appear in all state and territory-specific SOLs.

• Expected to add 541,600 jobs by 2034.

• According to Jobs and Skills Australia, care roles and nurses in the care sector are in persistent shortage from 2021-2025. 

Some of the shortage roles include: 

• Registered Nurses

• Midwives

• Aged care and disability support roles

• Allied health professionals

Trades and Technical Roles (Construction, Engineering Trades, Energy)

Why it’s in demand:

• 51% of all persistent shortages from the Occupation Shortage List are Technicians and Trades Workers.

• Construction is projected to be the third-largest employing industry in states like Victoria, Tasmania, and New South Wales. 

Some of the shortage roles include: 

• Construction trades

• Engineering trades

• Automotive trades

• Infrastructure and clean energy roles

Education and Teaching Professionals

Why it’s in demand:

• Projected job growth by 2034: +150,000 jobs

• Education is a priority sector in states like Victoria, South Australia, and the Northern Territory.

• Professionals made up 37% (52 out of 139) of the roles in persistent shortage from 2021-2025, with most roles being from early childhood education.

Some of the shortage roles include:

• Early Childhood Teachers

• Primary School Teachers

• Secondary School Teachers

• Special Education Teachers

Engineering, Infrastructure, and Energy Transition

Why it’s in demand:

• Engineering roles linked to infrastructure, construction, and energy transition continue to be prioritised by states.

• NSW explicitly prioritises Net Zero and Energy Transition.

• South Australia names engineering as a priority sector for 2025–26.

• Some of the engineering roles that are in shortage for all states and territories: Civil Engineer, Civil Engineering Technician, and Cyber Security Engineer. 

Some of the shortage roles include:

• Civil Engineers

• Electrical Engineers

• Mechanical Engineers

• Energy and infrastructure-focused engineering roles

Here are the top industry groups per state and territory, according to their updated Skilled Occupation Lists from the 2025-26 Skilled Migration Program.

South Australia Occupation List 2025-26

• Health Professionals 

• Design, Engineering, Science & Transport Professionals 

• Engineering, ICT & Science Technicians 

• Business, Human Resource & Marketing Professionals 

• Specialist Managers

• Automotive & Engineering Trades Workers 

Western Australia Skilled Occupation List 2025-26

• Healthcare and Social Assistance

• Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing

• Building and Construction

• Professional, Scientific and Technical Services

• Information Media and Telecommunication

New South Wales Skilled Occupation List 2025-26

• Construction (infrastructure and housing)

• Net Zero and Energy Transition

• Care and Support Economy

• Digital and Cyber

• Agriculture and Agrifood

• Advanced Manufacturing

Victoria Skilled Occupation List 2025-26

• Health

• Social services

• Education (including Early Childhood)

• Construction

• New energy

• Digital economy (491 visa only)

• Advanced manufacturing (491 visa only)

• Hospitality and tourism (491 visa only)

ACT Skilled Occupation List 2025-26

• Healthcare  

• Construction and Engineering 

• Information and Communication Technology (ICT)  

• Education and Teaching 

• Trades and Technical Occupations 

Tasmania Skilled Occupation List 2025-26

Top in-demand industries in Tasmania:

• Healthcare and Medical Services

• Engineering, Construction and Infrastructure

• Agriculture, Primary Industries and Natural Sciences

• Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

• Education and Teaching

Northern Territory Skilled Occupation List 2025-26

• Engineering

• Trades & Technical Occupations

• Health Professionals

• Community, Social & Care  

• Hospitality & Retail  

• Transport, Logistics & Operators

• Education Professionals

• ICT & Digital Professionals

• Business, Finance & Management Professionals

• Agriculture, Farming & Land Management

Queensland Skilled Occupation List 2025-26

• Healthcare and Medical Services 

• Engineering, Construction and Infrastructure

• Trades and Technical Occupations 

• Agriculture, Resources and Primary Industries 

• Education and Social Services 

Here are the visas available for you if you have the skills and experience to work or train in one of Australia's eligible skilled occupations and meet all the necessary requirements:

• Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa (subclass 186) - This visa allows skilled workers who their employer nominates, live and work and Australia permanently

• Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 494)- This visa allows skilled workers who are nominated by their regional employers to live, work and study in regional Australia for five years

• Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)– This visa allows skilled workers, who their employer nominates, to live and work in Australia permanently.

• Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)– state-nominated points-tested stream. This visa allows skilled workers to live and work in Australia as permanent residents

• Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482)- This temporary visa allows an employer to sponsor a skilled worker to fill a position they can’t find a skilled Australian to fill.

• Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) – Graduate Work. This visa is ideal for international students who have recently graduated with qualifications that are applicable to the occupations that are in demand in Australia.

• Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) - This is a visa for skilled people who are nominated by a state or territory government to live and work in regional Australia.

Eligibility for these visas differs, so we recommend you check on all requirements thoroughly after you’ve determined which visa is ideal for you. Generally, to be eligible for the above visas above you need to:

• be over 18 and under 45 years old

• Be invited to apply

• meet the points test

• meet the study/skill requirements

• work experience in the skilled occupation

• have competent English

• meet the Australian health requirement

• meet the character requirement

It’s about applying for the right one.

Two people with the same job title may have completely different chances of being approved. 

Some states or regional areas prioritise certain occupations, like teachers or engineers, based on local demand. Others might require fewer points or offer faster nomination.

These details change often and depend on more than just your job title.

They’re not information you can easily find online. They require expert knowledge.

That’s where our visa experts at IDP can help.

We don’t just tell you which visas you’re eligible for—we help you find the option that gives you the best strategic chance of being approved, based on current data, policy changes, and real-time updates

Our experts can help you map out a PR strategy that works best for your role.

For example, if you're a teacher planning to get permanent residency, we may suggest taking a graduate diploma to help you earn more points.

We can also recommend applying in a regional area where teachers are in higher demand.

These small, smart decisions can give you a stronger chance of being invited.

We help you spot those opportunities before you commit to a pathway that’s more challenging to get approved.

The Skilled Occupation List is massive. Honestly, it’s like trying to read a map written by five different people who never met.

Some jobs lead to permanent residency. Others only open doors in regional areas. Some change categories faster than you can Google “ANZSCO.”

But you don’t have to figure it out alone.

At IDP, we help you:

• Understand the requirements behind your occupation

• Check your visa eligibility

• Choose the right migration pathway for your goals

• Plan your steps toward permanent residency

We’ve helped thousands of international students take the next right step toward their future in Australia.

We understand the migration system, but more importantly, we understand you. Your worries. Your questions. Your goals.

And we do our best to help you take that first real step: understanding which visas suit your job, your background, and your chances, before you spend a dollar on the wrong one.

Because sometimes, the hardest part isn’t the paperwork. It’s knowing where to begin.

Talk to an IDP migration expert about your job and visa options

What happens if my occupation is removed from the list?

If your application or nomination is pending, you won’t be impacted by the removal of any occupation from the skilled occupation lists. The same also applies if you already hold a skilled visa unless there are changes in your circumstances which require the submission of a new nomination application.

If you’re changing your occupation or employer, and your occupation is no longer on the combined list of eligible skilled occupations, it may impact your application. Feel free to book an appointment with us if you require guidance and support.

What are the top courses for permanent residency?

Top courses for PR in Australia are:

• Accounting

• Engineering

• Social Work

• Nursing

• Education and teaching

• Automotive

• Building and construction

How does the points-based system work for skilled migration and state nomination?

Both types of migration are points-based systems assessing factors like:

• Age - more points are allocated to the younger age bracket versus older

• English level - The higher score achieved on the English test, the more points you can gain

• Skilled employment (months worked) - your experience working in the occupation you will apply for, outside of Australia

• Specialist qualification

• Australian study requirement (degree/postgraduate) course with an Australian-approved provider

• Other factors such as studying in regional areas, partners' qualifications and level of English, single applicants and professional year in Australia

Should I study in regional Australia?

It’s highly recommended to consider regional opportunities given the introduction of the 491 Visas and the fact that more points are awarded for living in regional areas, and there is priority processing on regional visas. However, it’s also important to consider that the occupation you’re applying for would be available in the regional area where you will live.

If you’re following an academic pathway, you can consider Visa 189, where you can live anywhere in Australia (metro and regional options).

However, consider that at least 80 points should be earned (this keeps changing with every invitation round), and you want to try and score as many points as possible.

It’s recommended to also consider Professional Year, NAATI and obtaining a high level of English to be successful.

Does your level of study meet the skilled occupation list?

Ensure that what you’re studying is high enough level of study for the occupation you plan to work in. For example, if you want to become a teacher, at least a bachelor’s degree will be required.

What is the course length?

If you want to apply for a 491 or 494, you need to ensure your course length is at least 2 years.

This needs to be 2 years of continuous study in the skilled occupation. Post your study, you will have 3 years of working rights. This will give you valuable time to satisfy the work experience requirement needed for the permanent residency visa.

What rights do I have once I am a permanent resident in Australia?

• Invite a family member or a relative to Australia

• Obtain a Medicare health card

• Travel to and from Australia up to 5 years

• Unlimited work rights

• Social security benefits

• Financial opportunities (First Home Buyer benefits, home/bank loan)

Ready to take the next step towards your Australian dream? Start by checking if your occupation is on the SOL, then research the visa options that best suit your skills and experience. Remember, professional advice can help you navigate the process smoothly and avoid costly mistakes.

Below is a comprehensive table showcasing the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), including selected key occupations, along with their corresponding ANZSCO codes and ANZSCO Skill Levels.

Source: Department of Home Affairs

Didn’t find what you were looking for?

Don’t be mad, but the list we have above is NOT A COMPLETE LIST. (Yup, sorry to betray you.)

But hey, don’t leave yet! Here’s why. 

You might be wondering, “Why not just list all the jobs?” 

The truth is, the Skilled Occupation List isn’t just one list. It’s made up of:

• Different jobs for different visa types (189, 190, 491, 482, and more)

• Separate lists for each state and territory (like VIC, NSW, QLD, etc.)

• Multiple streams like MLTSSL, STSOL, and ROL (meaning there’s a list for jobs that Australia needs long-term, some for short-term, and some per region). 

Plus, these lists are constantly updating, so it’s hard to rely on one list to know about your job and qualifications. 

The best thing to do?  

Ask our MARA agents if your job is still in the SOL

Because it’s such a large and complex list, and it changes often, it’s best to speak to IDP’s migration expert to check your exact job.

They can help you:

• Check which list (MLTSSL, STSOL, or ROL) your job is on

• Understand which visas you’re eligible for

• Get personalised advice on the best migration pathway for your role and long-term goals

I want to ask about my job and visa options

Latest visa news:

• Latest Australian Visa News

• Australia’s 2025–26 Skilled Migration full allocations

Articles that can help you when lodging your EOI: 

• Skilled Occupation List 2025: A Guide for International Students in Australia

• How to Lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) for Australian Visas

• New English Requirements for Australian Visas - August 2025

Want to check the SOL and migration program guides for other states and territories? 

• New South Wales Skilled Occupation List 

• Victoria Skilled Occupation List 

• Queensland Skilled Occupation List 

• South Australia Skilled Occupation List 

• Western Australia Skilled Occupation List 

• Tasmania Skilled Occupation List 

• Australian Capital Territory Skilled Occupation List