List of priority occupations for settlement in Australia

Currently, the Australian immigration occupation system is divided into 4 main lists:
STSOL (Short-term Skilled Occupation List): includes about 215 short-term occupations, typically Chef, Marketing Specialist, HR Advisor. These occupations prioritized for Australian immigration are often suitable for temporary visas.
MLTSSL (Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List): also has more than 200 occupations, including Civil Engineer, Registered Nurse, Software Engineer. This is a group of occupations prioritized for Australian immigration with a higher chance of applying for permanent residency.
ROL (Regional Occupation List): with more than 70 occupations, for those who want to develop their careers in the Regional area. This is the choice for many people looking for occupations prioritized for Australian immigration in less populated states.
CSOL (Core Skills Occupation List): added from the end of 2024, focusing on occupations prioritized for immigration in Australia that are fundamental to the labor market.

Information technology (IT) continues to play an important role in Australia's development. The country is expected to need more than 1.1 million tech workers by 2026, with an average growth rate of 5.4% per year. Popular occupations in this group include Software Engineer (261313), ICT Business Analyst (261111) and Developer Programmer (261312). The average salary in the IT industry ranges from AUD 100,000 to AUD 135,000 per year, making it an attractive opportunity for international workers.

For more: Study in Australia in information technology

Health & Nursing is the industry group with the highest demand. Australia is facing a severe shortage of manpower, with 100,000 more nurses forecast to be needed by 2025 and more than 123,000 by 2030. Typical occupations include Registered Nurse, Midwife and Aged Care Worker. This is also a group of industries that are the top priority of the government in the long-term settlement policy.

See more: Nursing in Australia

The Education sector is also on the priority list due to the increasing demand for teachers as the young population thrives. Common occupations include Early Childhood Teacher and Secondary Teacher. The average salary for teachers in Australia is usually between AUD 85,000 and AUD 110,000 per year, making it attractive for international students to choose this subject.

See more: Study abroad in Education in Australia

Engineering & Construction is also highly regarded as Australia is ramping up investment in infrastructure and urban development. Common occupations in this group include Civil Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, and Electrical Engineer. Workers in the engineering industry typically earn an average of around AUD 100,000 per year.

See also: Engineering in Australia

Psychosocial is a rapidly growing field thanks to Australian society's emphasis on mental health and community wellbeing. Typical professions in this group are Psychologist and Social Worker, which offer stable and meaningful career opportunities.

The restaurant and hotel management industry is recovering strongly from the pandemic and has become one of the fields that attracts many international workers. Popular occupations include Hotel Manager, Chef, and Restaurant Manager. This is a group of industries suitable for those who love a dynamic environment in the field of services and tourism.

See more: Study Abroad in Restaurant – Hospitality in Australia.

Business Administration & Law also plays an important role in the context of Australia's increasingly globally integrated economy. Popular occupations are Business Analyst, Project Manager, and Solicitor, which offer many job opportunities for highly skilled workers.

The STSOL (Short-term Skilled Occupation List) includes about 215 industries, such as Chef, Marketing Specialist or HR Advisor. The MLTSSL (Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List) also has about 215 disciplines, including Civil Engineer, Registered Nurse and Software Engineer. For those who want to work in the Regional region, the ROL (Regional Occupation List) with 77 occupations will open up new opportunities. In addition, from December 2024, Australia will also add CSOL (Core Skills Occupation List) – a list of occupations that are considered the foundation for the labor market.

3.1 Priority occupations for short-term Australian immigration - STSO

The STSOL list includes about 215 occupations, focusing on positions that serve short-term human resource needs. Some typical professions:

• Chef

• Marketing Specialist (Chuyên viên Marketing)

• HR Advisor

Suitable for those who want to apply for a 482 (short-term) visa or a 190 visa (state-sponsored).

3.2. Medium- and long-term priority occupations for Australian immigration - MLTSSL

MLTSSL covers about 212 industries, mainly strategic sectors and long-term human resource shortages. Some typical professions:

• Civil Engineer

• Registered Nurse

• Software Engineer

This is a group of occupations with many opportunities to apply for permanent residence visas (PR) such as visas 189, 186, 491.

3.3 Priority occupations for settlement in Australia by region – ROL

The ROL currently has 77 occupations, applicable to those who want to study, work and settle in the Regional area where the Australian Government is encouraging population allocation. Example:

• Primary School Teacher (Giáo viên tiểu học tại vùng Regional)

• Mechanical Engineering Technician

If you want to settle down more easily, choosing ROL will increase your chances of getting a 491 or 494 visa.

3.4 CSOL – Core Skills Occupation List (New from 12/2024)

From December 2024, Australia will add CSOL – Core Skills Occupation List with 456 occupations, which is considered the foundation for the labor market.

This list applies to new visa forms, especially the 482 (Core Skills Stream) visa and the ENS 186 (Direct Entry) visa.

When choosing to study or work in Australia, not all states have the same career preference policy. Normally, states and territories other than Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane will have more incentives in order to attract people to live and work. This is also a good opportunity for those who want to settle down for a long time.

Some states and regions that are easy to settle in regularly apply the list of priority occupations, including:

Choosing a major on the priority list for settlement in Australia not only increases job opportunities but also opens up a long-term path to living and developing a career in this country. Each state and territory has its own policies, so you need to consider carefully based on your major, personal goals and visa requirements. If you need detailed advice on majors, visas or study abroad - settlement pathways in Australia, you can contact IDP Education Vietnam. IDP's team of experts will support you from choosing a major, submitting an application, to IELTS preparation, helping you prepare fully and confidently for your journey to study in Australia.