What is the difference between MLTSSL and STSOL?

The MLTSSL (Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List) includes occupations where Australia has an identified long-term skills shortage. Occupations on the MLTSSL are eligible for the broadest range of visas, including the Subclass 189. The STSOL (Short-term Skilled Occupation List) covers occupations with shorter-term demand and is only eligible for the Subclass 190, 491, and 482 — not the 189 Skilled Independent visa.

How often are the occupation lists updated?

The Department of Home Affairs reviews the occupation lists on an ongoing basis, with formal updates typically occurring several times per year. Updates can add or remove occupations, transfer occupations between lists, or change the assessing authority. Always check the current lists on the DHA website before commencing your application, as occupations can be removed with limited notice.

Can I apply for a 189 visa if my occupation is on the STSOL?

No. The Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent) visa is only available to occupations on the MLTSSL. If your occupation is on the STSOL, your options are the Subclass 190 (with state nomination), the Subclass 491 (regional), or the Subclass 482 (temporary employer-sponsored). If your occupation is on the ROL, only the 491 is available under the points-tested stream.

What is an ANZSCO code and how do I find mine?

ANZSCO (Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations) is the official classification system used to categorise occupations. Each occupation is assigned a 6-digit code. You can search for your ANZSCO code using the ABS ANZSCO classification tool at abs.gov.au, or through the DHA occupation search tool at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au. The correct ANZSCO code is critical — it determines your assessing authority and your eligible visa types.

What are my options if my occupation is not on any list?

If your occupation does not appear on the MLTSSL, STSOL, or ROL, you cannot apply for a points-tested skilled visa. Your options may include employer-sponsored pathways (Subclass 482 or 186), the Business Innovation and Investment stream, or Graduate visas if you have studied in Australia. It is worth reviewing whether a closely related ANZSCO unit group — that does appear on a list — accurately reflects your skills and duties.

Australia Occupation Lists: MLTSSL, STSOL & ROL — 2026 Guide

1. Why Occupation Lists Exist

Australia's skilled migration program is designed to fill genuine skill shortages — not to provide migration pathways for all qualified workers regardless of need. The occupation lists are the mechanism through which the government controls which skills are eligible for points-tested migration and which are not.

The lists are informed by labour market research, industry consultation, and migration data. They are maintained by the Department of Home Affairs and reviewed regularly. An occupation can move between lists — or be removed entirely — in response to changing labour market conditions.

The list your occupation sits on determines which visa subclasses are available to you. This is why identifying your correct ANZSCO code is the first step in any skilled migration pathway.

2. The Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)

The MLTSSL is the most valuable list for skilled migration applicants. Occupations on the MLTSSL are in high demand and have been identified as areas where Australia has ongoing, structural skills shortages.

If your occupation is on the MLTSSL, you are eligible for:

Subclass 189 — Skilled Independent (permanent, no nomination required)
Subclass 190 — Skilled Nominated (permanent, with state nomination)
Subclass 491 — Skilled Work Regional (temporary, pathway to 191 PR)
Subclass 482 — Temporary Skill Shortage (medium-term stream, employer sponsored)
Subclass 186 — Employer Nomination Scheme (permanent, employer sponsored)

Common MLTSSL occupations include registered nurses, software engineers, civil engineers, electricians, doctors, accountants, and early childhood teachers.

3. The Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL)

The STSOL covers occupations with identified short-term demand — where Australia needs workers now but the government has not designated a long-term strategic shortage. Applicants with STSOL occupations have fewer visa options.

If your occupation is on the STSOL, you are eligible for:

Subclass 190 — Skilled Nominated (with state nomination)
Subclass 491 — Skilled Work Regional (with state or family nomination)
Subclass 482 — Temporary Skill Shortage (short-term stream, 2-year maximum, limited pathway to PR)

Critically, STSOL occupations are not eligible for the Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent). If your occupation is STSOL-only, you need state nomination to access a permanent pathway via the 190, or the regional route via the 491.

4. The Regional Occupation List (ROL)

The ROL is the most restrictive list. It exists specifically to direct skilled workers to regional Australia, where labour shortages are often more acute than in capital cities.

If your occupation is on the ROL only (not also on the MLTSSL or STSOL), you are eligible for:

Subclass 491 — Skilled Work Regional (with state or family nomination)

The ROL typically includes occupations with strong regional demand such as agricultural managers, certain trade workers, and some healthcare roles in regional settings.

Occupation List Comparison

List	Visas Available	Approx. Occupation Count	Nomination Required?
MLTSSL	189, 190, 491, 482 (MTerm), 186	~185 unit groups	No (for 189); Yes for others
STSOL	190, 491, 482 (Short-term)	~120 unit groups	Yes (state nomination)
ROL	491 only	~20 unit groups	Yes (state or family)

5. How to Look Up Your Occupation

The lookup process has two steps:

Step 1: Find Your ANZSCO Code

Go to the Australian Bureau of Statistics ANZSCO search at abs.gov.au, or use the DHA occupation search at immi.homeaffairs.gov.au. Search using keywords from your job duties — not just your job title. Review the unit group description carefully to confirm the duties align with your actual work.

Your ANZSCO code is a 6-digit number. The first 6 digits (the unit group, i.e. 26131) determine which assessing authority applies and which lists you appear on. The last digit typically distinguishes between specific occupations within the same group.

Step 2: Check the Occupation Lists

Once you have your ANZSCO code, check the DHA skilled occupation lists page. The consolidated list is available as a downloadable document and shows each occupation's list placement (MLTSSL, STSOL, ROL) and the designated assessing authority.

6. What If Your Occupation Is Not on Any List?

If your occupation is not on any of the three lists, you cannot access the points-tested skilled migration stream. This does not mean migration is impossible — it means the pathway is different.

Options worth exploring include:

Employer sponsorship (Subclass 482): Does not require occupation list placement for all streams — some occupations are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme): Permanent employer-sponsored visa; eligibility depends on the occupation and nomination stream.
Business Innovation and Investment stream: For applicants with business ownership, investment, or entrepreneurial backgrounds.
Review your ANZSCO classification: In some cases, a more accurate or closely related ANZSCO code does appear on a list. It is worth reviewing whether a different unit group better reflects your skills — with professional guidance.