186 Visa Occupation List – Eligible Jobs for Permanent Residency in Australia

Q: What occupations are eligible for 186?

For Direct Entry , eligible occupations are the occupations on the current CSOL , using ANZSCO 2022 for subclass 186. The current setup spans health, teaching, engineering, trades, hospitality, IT, and business roles, but the exact code and any caveats matter. For TRT , there is no separate occupation list in the same way.

Q: What occupations are eligible for 186?

For Direct Entry , eligible occupations are the occupations on the current CSOL , using ANZSCO 2022 for subclass 186. The current setup spans health, teaching, engineering, trades, hospitality, IT, and business roles, but the exact code and any caveats matter. For TRT , there is no separate occupation list in the same way.

The list of occupations for the 186 visa is the key for the Direct Entry Stream. The Direct Entry Stream has changed to the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) for eligibility, and subclass 186 uses ANZSCO 2022 for coding of occupations The Temporary Residence Transition stream has different rules, as it does not require a separate occupation list. It is related to the last temporary skilled visa you held. Before you go through the effort of a nomination or a visa application, it is a good idea to check your ANZSCO code, stream, and nomination pathway.

Table of Contents

The table below gives the fastest way to see where the occupation question fits in subclass 186.

186 stream	Does the occupation list matter?	Main occupation check
Direct Entry	Yes	Occupation must be on the current CSOL, subject to any caveats
Temporary Residence Transition	Not in the same way	Occupation eligibility is based on the occupation linked to your most recently held temporary skilled visa
Labour Agreement	Depends on the labour agreement	Occupation rules come from the approved agreement

What is the 186 Visa Occupation List?

The occupation list for 186 Visa applications is the list of occupations that are eligible for supporting a subclass 186 nomination for a direct entry visa In other words, when one wants to know if their occupation qualifies, they simply ask themselves: Is my occupation eligible at all?That comes before age, English, work experience, skills assessment, and employer paperwork, because an occupation mismatch can stop the case at the start.

Right now, the 186 visa occupation list for Direct Entry is tied to the Core Skills Occupation List. The current occupation source of truth sits in the relevant legislative instrument, while the skilled occupation material gives the working summary, ANZSCO code, caveats, and assessing authority details.

At Stepping Stones Career Solutions, this is usually the first check we run for clients. A job title on a contract is not enough on its own. The ANZSCO code, the real duties, and the stream all need to line up before the case has a solid base.

Full 186 Visa Occupation List for Direct Entry

For the Direct Entry stream of the 186 visa, the nominated occupation must appear on the current Core Skills Occupation List, and subclass 186 uses ANZSCO 2022 coding. Below is the full current occupation set for Direct Entry applicants. Caveats can still apply to some occupations, so the code and duties still need to match properly.

Management, Business, Media and Creative Occupations

ANZSCO code	Occupation
111111	Chief Executive or Managing Director
111211	Corporate General Manager
121111	Aquaculture Farmer
121311	Apiarist
121313	Dairy Cattle Farmer
121315	Goat Farmer
121318	Pig Farmer
121321	Poultry Farmer
121611	Flower Grower
131112	Sales and Marketing Manager
131113	Advertising Manager
132111	Corporate Services Manager
132211	Finance Manager
132311	Human Resource Manager
132411	Policy and Planning Manager
132511	Research and Development Manager
133111	Construction Project Manager
133112	Project Builder
133211	Engineering Manager
133511	Production Manager (Forestry)
133512	Production Manager (Manufacturing)
133611	Supply and Distribution Manager
133612	Procurement Manager
134211	Medical Administrator / Medical Superintendent
134212	Nursing Clinical Director
134213	Primary Health Organisation Manager
134311	School Principal
134411	Faculty Head
134499	Education Managers nec
135111	Chief Information Officer
135112	ICT Project Manager
135199	ICT Managers nec
139911	Arts Administrator or Manager
139912	Environmental Manager
139913	Laboratory Manager
139916	Quality Assurance Manager
139917	Regulatory Affairs Manager
141311	Hotel or Motel Manager
141411	Licensed Club Manager
141999	Accommodation and Hospitality Managers nec
142111	Retail Manager (General)
142116	Travel Agency Manager
149411	Fleet Manager
149911	Boarding Kennel or Cattery Operator
149912	Cinema or Theatre Manager
149915	Equipment Hire Manager
149999	Hospitality, Retail and Service Managers nec
211212	Music Director
212111	Artistic Director
212315	Program Director (Television or Radio)
212316	Stage Manager
212317	Technical Director
212318	Video Producer
212413	Print Journalist
212414	Radio Journalist
212415	Technical Writer
212416	Television Journalist
212499	Journalists and Other Writers nec
221111	Accountant (General)
221112	Management Accountant
221113	Taxation Accountant
221211	Company Secretary
221213	External Auditor
221214	Internal Auditor
222112	Finance Broker
222113	Insurance Broker
222311	Financial Investment Adviser
223111	Human Resource Adviser
223112	Recruitment Consultant
223113	Workplace Relations Adviser
224111	Actuary
224112	Mathematician
224114	Data Analyst
224115	Data Scientist
224116	Statistician
224511	Land Economist
224512	Valuer
224712	Organisation and Methods Analyst
224713	Management Consultant
224714	Supply Chain Analyst
224914	Patents Examiner
224999	Information and Organisation Professionals nec
225111	Advertising Specialist
225113	Marketing Specialist
225114	Content Creator (Marketing)
225211	ICT Account Manager
225212	ICT Business Development Manager
225213	ICT Sales Representative
225311	Public Relations Professional
225411	Sales Representative (Industrial Products)
225412	Sales Representative (Medical and Pharmaceutical Products)
225499	Technical Sales Representatives nec
231111	Aeroplane Pilot
231113	Flying Instructor
231114	Helicopter Pilot
231199	Air Transport Professionals nec
231212	Ship’s Engineer
232111	Architect

Engineering, Science and Education Occupations

ANZSCO code	Occupation
232112	Landscape Architect
232212	Surveyor
232213	Cartographer
232214	Other Spatial Scientist
232313	Jewellery Designer
232412	Illustrator
232413	Multimedia Designer
232414	Web Designer
232511	Interior Designer
232611	Urban and Regional Planner
233111	Chemical Engineer
233112	Materials Engineer
233211	Civil Engineer
233212	Geotechnical Engineer
233213	Quantity Surveyor
233214	Structural Engineer
233215	Transport Engineer
233311	Electrical Engineer
233411	Electronics Engineer
233511	Industrial Engineer
233512	Mechanical Engineer
233513	Production or Plant Engineer
233611	Mining Engineer (excluding Petroleum)
233612	Petroleum Engineer
233911	Aeronautical Engineer
233912	Agricultural Engineer
233913	Biomedical Engineer
233914	Engineering Technologist
233915	Environmental Engineer
233916	Naval Architect / Marine Designer
233999	Engineering Professionals nec
234111	Agricultural Consultant
234114	Agricultural Research Scientist
234115	Agronomist
234116	Aquaculture or Fisheries Scientist
234211	Chemist
234212	Food Technologist
234213	Wine Maker
234312	Environmental Consultant
234399	Environmental Scientists nec
234411	Geologist
234412	Geophysicist
234413	Hydrogeologist
234511	Life Scientist (General)
234513	Biochemist
234515	Botanist
234516	Marine Biologist
234521	Entomologist
234522	Zoologist
234599	Life Scientists nec
234612	Respiratory Scientist
234711	Veterinarian
234911	Conservator
234912	Metallurgist
234913	Meteorologist
234914	Physicist
234999	Natural and Physical Science Professionals nec
241111	Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teacher
241213	Primary School Teacher
241311	Middle School Teacher / Intermediate School Teacher
241411	Secondary School Teacher
241511	Special Needs Teacher
241512	Teacher of the Hearing Impaired
241513	Teacher of the Sight Impaired
241599	Special Education Teachers nec
242111	University Lecturer
242211	Vocational Education Teacher / Polytechnic Teacher
249112	Education Reviewer
249214	Music Teacher (Private Tuition)
249299	Private Tutors and Teachers nec

Health, Medical and Nursing Occupations

ANZSCO code	Occupation
251111	Dietitian
251211	Medical Diagnostic Radiographer
251212	Medical Radiation Therapist
251213	Nuclear Medicine Technologist
251214	Sonographer
251312	Occupational Health and Safety Adviser
251411	Optometrist
251412	Orthoptist
251511	Hospital Pharmacist
251512	Industrial Pharmacist
251513	Retail Pharmacist
251912	Orthotist or Prosthetist
251999	Health Diagnostic and Promotion Professionals nec
252214	Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner
252299	Complementary Health Therapists nec
252311	Dental Specialist
252312	Dentist
252411	Occupational Therapist
252511	Physiotherapist
252611	Podiatrist
252711	Audiologist
252712	Speech Pathologist / Speech Language Therapist
253111	General Practitioner
253112	Resident Medical Officer
253211	Anaesthetist
253311	Specialist Physician (General Medicine)
253312	Cardiologist
253313	Clinical Haematologist
253314	Medical Oncologist
253315	Endocrinologist
253316	Gastroenterologist
253317	Intensive Care Specialist
253318	Neurologist
253321	Paediatrician
253322	Renal Medicine Specialist
253323	Rheumatologist
253324	Thoracic Medicine Specialist
253399	Specialist Physicians nec
253411	Psychiatrist
253511	Surgeon (General)
253512	Cardiothoracic Surgeon
253513	Neurosurgeon
253514	Orthopaedic Surgeon
253515	Otorhinolaryngologist
253516	Paediatric Surgeon
253517	Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon
253518	Urologist
253521	Vascular Surgeon
253911	Dermatologist
253912	Emergency Medicine Specialist
253913	Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
253914	Ophthalmologist
253915	Pathologist
253917	Diagnostic and Interventional Radiologist
253918	Radiation Oncologist
253999	Medical Practitioners nec
254111	Midwife
254211	Nurse Educator
254212	Nurse Researcher
254411	Nurse Practitioner
254412	Registered Nurse (Aged Care)
254413	Registered Nurse (Child and Family Health)
254414	Registered Nurse (Community Health)
254415	Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency)
254416	Registered Nurse (Developmental Disability)
254417	Registered Nurse (Disability and Rehabilitation)
254418	Registered Nurse (Medical)
254421	Registered Nurse (Medical Practice)
254422	Registered Nurse (Mental Health)
254423	Registered Nurse (Perioperative)
254424	Registered Nurse (Surgical)
254425	Registered Nurse (Paediatrics)
254499	Registered Nurses nec

ICT, legal, Community and Technical Occupations

ANZSCO code	Occupation
261111	ICT Business Analyst
261112	Systems Analyst
261211	Multimedia Specialist
261212	Web Developer
261311	Analyst Programmer
261312	Developer Programmer
261313	Software Engineer
261314	Software Tester
261315	Cyber Security Engineer
261316	Devops Engineer
261317	Penetration Tester
261399	Software and Applications Programmers nec
262111	Database Administrator
262113	Systems Administrator
262114	Cyber Governance Risk and Compliance Specialist
262115	Cyber Security Advice and Assessment Specialist
262116	Cyber Security Analyst
262117	Cyber Security Architect
262118	Cyber Security Operations Coordinator
263111	Computer Network and Systems Engineer
263112	Network Administrator
263113	Network Analyst
263211	ICT Quality Assurance Engineer
263213	ICT Systems Test Engineer
263299	ICT Support and Test Engineers nec
263312	Telecommunications Network Engineer
271111	Barrister
271214	Intellectual Property Lawyer
271299	Judicial and Other Legal Professionals nec
271311	Solicitor
272112	Drug and Alcohol Counsellor
272114	Rehabilitation Counsellor
272115	Student Counsellor
272311	Clinical Psychologist
272312	Educational Psychologist
272313	Organisational Psychologist
272314	Psychotherapist
272399	Psychologists nec
272413	Translator
272511	Social Worker
272612	Recreation Officer / Recreation Coordinator
311112	Agricultural and Agritech Technician
311113	Animal Husbandry Technician
311114	Aquaculture or Fisheries Technician
311115	Irrigation Designer
311211	Anaesthetic Technician
311212	Cardiac Technician
311215	Pharmacy Technician
311217	Respiratory Technician
311299	Medical Technicians nec
311312	Meat Inspector
311314	Primary Products Quality Assurance Officer
311399	Primary Products Assurance and Inspection Officers nec
311411	Chemistry Technician
311412	Earth Science Technician
311499	Science Technicians nec
312111	Architectural Draftsperson
312112	Building Associate
312113	Building Inspector
312114	Construction Estimator
312116	Surveying or Spatial Science Technician
312199	Architectural, Building and Surveying Technicians nec
312211	Civil Engineering Draftsperson
312212	Civil Engineering Technician
312311	Electrical Engineering Draftsperson
312312	Electrical Engineering Technician
312412	Electronic Engineering Technician
312511	Mechanical Engineering Draftsperson
312512	Mechanical Engineering Technician
312911	Maintenance Planner
312912	Metallurgical or Materials Technician
312913	Mine Deputy
312914	Other Draftsperson
312999	Building and Engineering Technicians nec
313111	Hardware Technician
313112	ICT Customer Support Officer
313113	Web Administrator
313199	ICT Support Technicians nec
313212	Telecommunications Field Engineer
313213	Telecommunications Network Planner
313214	Telecommunications Technical Officer or Technologist
321111	Automotive Electrician

Trades, Care, Hospitality and Administrative Occupations

ANZSCO code	Occupation
321211	Motor Mechanic (General)
321212	Diesel Motor Mechanic
321213	Motorcycle Mechanic
321214	Small Engine Mechanic
322112	Electroplater
322113	Farrier
322114	Metal Casting Trades Worker
322211	Sheetmetal Worker
322311	Metal Fabricator
322312	Pressure Welder
322313	Welder (First Class)
323111	Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Avionics)
323112	Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Mechanical)
323113	Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Structures)
323211	Fitter (General)
323212	Fitter and Turner
323213	Fitter-Welder
323214	Metal Machinist (First Class)
323215	Textile, Clothing and Footwear Mechanic
323299	Metal Fitters and Machinists nec
323313	Locksmith
323314	Precision Instrument Maker and Repairer
323411	Engineering Patternmaker
323412	Toolmaker
324111	Panelbeater
324211	Vehicle Body Builder
324212	Vehicle Trimmer
324311	Vehicle Painter
331111	Bricklayer
331112	Stonemason
331211	Carpenter and Joiner
331212	Carpenter
331213	Joiner
332111	Floor Finisher
332211	Painter
333111	Glazier
333211	Plasterer (Wall and Ceiling)
333212	Renderer (Solid Plaster)
333311	Roof Tiler
333411	Wall and Floor Tiler
334112	Airconditioning and Mechanical Services Plumber
334113	Drainer
334114	Gasfitter
334115	Roof Plumber
334116	Plumber (General)
334117	Fire Protection Plumber
341111	Electrician (General)
341112	Electrician (Special Class)
342111	Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic
342211	Electrical Linesworker / Electrical Line Mechanic
342212	Technical Cable Jointer
342311	Business Machine Mechanic
342313	Electronic Equipment Trades Worker
342314	Electronic Instrument Trades Worker (General)
342315	Electronic Instrument Trades Worker (Special Class)
342411	Cabler (Data and Telecommunications)
342412	Telecommunications Cable Jointer
342413	Telecommunications Linesworker / Telecommunications Line Mechanic
342414	Telecommunications Technician
351111	Baker
351112	Pastrycook
351211	Butcher or Smallgoods Maker
351311	Chef
351411	Cook
361111	Dog Handler or Trainer
361112	Horse Trainer
361311	Veterinary Nurse
362411	Nurseryperson
362511	Arborist
362512	Tree Worker
362711	Landscape Gardener
362712	Irrigation Technician
391111	Hairdresser
392111	Print Finisher
392112	Screen Printer
392211	Graphic Pre-press Trades Worker
392311	Printing Machinist
393114	Shoemaker
393311	Upholsterer
394112	Cabinet Maker
394113	Furniture Maker
394211	Furniture Finisher
394212	Picture Framer
394213	Wood Machinist
394299	Wood Machinists and Other Wood Trades Workers nec
399111	Boat Builder and Repairer
399112	Shipwright
399211	Chemical Plant Operator
399212	Gas or Petroleum Operator
399213	Power Generation Plant Operator
399513	Light Technician
399516	Sound Technician
399599	Performing Arts Technicians nec
399611	Signwriter
399911	Diver
399913	Optical Dispenser / Dispensing Optician
399914	Optical Mechanic
399916	Plastics Technician
399918	Fire Protection Equipment Technician
399999	Technicians and Trades Workers nec
411111	Ambulance Officer
411112	Intensive Care Ambulance Paramedic
411211	Dental Hygienist
411212	Dental Prosthetist
411213	Dental Technician
411214	Dental Therapist
411311	Diversional Therapist
411411	Enrolled Nurse
411611	Massage Therapist
411711	Community Worker
411713	Family Support Worker
411715	Residential Care Officer
411716	Youth Worker
421111	Child Care Worker
421114	Out of School Hours Care Worker
431411	Hotel Service Manager
451111	Beauty Therapist
451412	Tour Guide
451612	Travel Consultant
451711	Flight Attendant
452311	Diving Instructor (Open Water)
452317	Other Sports Coach or Instructor (Wushu Martial Arts Coach or Yoga Instructor Only)
452321	Sports Development Officer
511111	Contract Administrator
511112	Program or Project Administrator
512111	Office Manager
521212	Legal Secretary
599111	Conveyancer
599211	Clerk of Court
599612	Insurance Loss Adjuster
599915	Clinical Coder
611211	Insurance Agent
639211	Retail Buyer

Before lodging a nomination or visa application, check the ANZSCO code against the real day-to-day duties, any caveats, and the correct assessing authority. At Stepping Stones Career Solutions, we review the occupation fit before the employer-sponsored pathway moves ahead.

186 Visa Direct Entry Occupation List

The 186 visa direct entry occupation list matters because the Direct Entry stream is the subclass 186 path where your nominated occupation must sit on the current CSOL. After the reforms that began on 7 December 2024, the CSOL replaced the older Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List for ENS Direct Entry, and the Core Skills Income Threshold replaced the older threshold settings for ENS salary floors.

For Direct Entry, the main visa checks still go well beyond the 186 visa direct entry occupation list.Currently, Applicants to these essential items: you must be below 45 years of age at the time of lodgement unless an exemption applies, be nominated for a CSOL occupation, have at least 3 years of work experience, have a positive skills assessment before lodgement unless exempt, and meet English requirements.

One detail many applicants miss is the role of caveats. The caveats can exclude the use of some occupations in certain situations, and these caveats apply to ENS Direct Entry and the Skills in Demand visa. That is one reason the 186 visa occupation list cannot be checked by title alone.

Four Things to Check Before You Apply 186 Visa Occupation List

The four checks below line up with the current subclass 186 occupation setup.

Check	Why it matters
Occupation on CSOL	Direct Entry needs a current eligible occupation
ANZSCO code	The code must match your real duties, not just your title
Stream	Direct Entry and TRT work differently
Employer nomination	The employer side of the case must also meet the visa rules

CSOL Occupation List 186 Visa

A lot of people still search old terms because subclass 186 used different occupation settings in earlier years. That is why searches like CSOL Occupation List 186 Visa still show up so often. The current setup is cleaner: for ENS Direct Entry, the CSOL is now the main occupation list, and subclass 186 uses ANZSCO 2022 rather than the older ANZSCO 2013 version used across many other skilled visas.

This matters for a practical reason.”Changes in the ANZSCO may have resulted in the occupation being classified in a different group or being divided into more than one specialisation.” This, in essence, implies that it is not only the information on the pay slip or contract that determines the code, but it has to align with the job tasks and responsibilities.

The table below sums up the shift.

Older search habit	Current reality for subclass 186
Checking older long-term occupation lists	Direct Entry now checks the CSOL
Using older ANZSCO coding logic	Subclass 186 now uses ANZSCO 2022
Treating TRT like Direct Entry	TRT does not use a separate occupation list in the same way
Matching by title only	Duties, code, and any caveats all matter

One helpful point for applicants already in the system: The pending nomination or visa applications are not adversely affected just because an occupation is later removed from a skilled occupation list.

Major Occupation Groups On The 186 Visa Occupation List

Currently, the 186 visa occupation list covers a wide range of professional, trade, technical, health, and service occupations. In fact, the current CSOL list covers 456 occupations. It is therefore advisable to check the major occupation groups on the list and later cross-check using the ANZSCO code.

The sample groups below are drawn from the current CSOL and keep this article readable without turning it into a massive occupation dump.

Occupation group	Sample roles on the current CSOL
Health and care roles	General Practitioner, Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist, Registered Nurse roles
Teaching and community roles	Early Childhood Teacher, Primary School Teacher, Secondary School Teacher, Special Needs Teacher
Engineering and technical roles	Civil Engineer, Electrical Engineer, Mechanical Engineer, Engineering Technologist
Construction and trade roles	Bricklayer, Carpenter and Joiner, Carpenter, Joiner, Electrician, Plumber
Hospitality and service roles	Chef, Cook, Hotel or Motel Manager, Hospitality managers
IT and business roles	ICT Business Analyst, Systems Analyst, Software Engineer, Accountant, Marketing Specialist

This is the point where many applicants should stop guessing and get a proper code review. At Stepping Stones Career Solutions, we often see strong applicants lose time because their job title looks right, but the ANZSCO fit is weak.

List of Eligible Skilled Occupations Visa 186 Joiner Applicants Should Check

People often search a list of eligible skilled occupations visa 186 joiner because trade applicants want a quick answer on their exact wood or building trade role. The good news is that Joiner appears on the current CSOL. The same CSOL section also includes Carpenter and Joiner and Carpenter, which are the related trade titles many applicants compare side by side.

Here is the current trade set that joiner applicants usually need to check first.

Trade title	ANZSCO code	On current CSOL?
Carpenter and Joiner	331211	Yes
Carpenter	331212	Yes
Joiner	331213	Yes

This does not mean every person working in a workshop or on a building site should pick Joiner. The code has to fit the actual day-to-day duties. If your work is more site-based in nature and involves more work in framing and structural carpentry, another code may be more relevant. If your work is more about cutting, shaping, assembling, and fitting timber components, then the Joiner code may be more relevant. That code choice can shape the skills assessment path and the nomination strategy, so it is worth getting checked before you lodge.

Occupation List for 186 Visa vs Temporary Residence Transition stream

This is one of the most important parts of the article because many readers mix up the two main subclass 186 paths. The occupation list for 186 visa matters in a very direct way for Direct Entry. In Temporary Residence Transition, There is no separate occupation list in the same way, and occupation eligibility is based on the occupation from your most recently held temporary skilled visa.

The side-by-side view below clears that up.

Point	Direct Entry stream	Temporary Residence Transition stream
Occupation check	Must be on the CSOL	No separate occupation list in the same way
Main occupation basis	Current nominated occupation for ENS Direct Entry	Occupation from your most recently held temporary skilled visa
Work experience	Usually at least 3 years relevant work experience	Usually at least 2 years of eligible sponsored full-time employment
Typical visa background	Can be onshore or offshore, if eligible	Usually current or recent 457/482 pathway with the nominating employer
Skills assessment	Usually required unless exempt	Often a different focus from Direct Entry, depending on the case

The TRT stream also changed in a useful way from 7 December 2024. The reforms reduced the work experience requirement in TRT and allowed all eligible sponsored full-time employment in the previous three years to count, regardless of occupation. That change opened a clearer PR path for many temporary skilled workers already in Australia.

What else matters apart from the 186 visa occupation list?

A role appearing on the 186 visa occupation list is only one part of a successful case. The employer nomination, your age position, English, work history, salary settings, and skills evidence still matter a great deal.

The table below gives a practical check set for applicants and employers.

Factor	What to check
Employer nomination	The employer must lodge a valid nomination for a genuine position
Age limit	Direct Entry usually requires the applicant to be under 45 at lodgement unless an exemption applies
English requirement	Subclass 186 requires competent English, subject to the stream rules and any exemption settings
Skills assessment	Direct Entry usually needs a positive skills assessment before lodgement unless exempt
Relevant work experience	Direct Entry usually points to at least 3 years relevant experience
Salary rules	Salary settings apply to subclass 186 nominations, including the current threshold rules for the nomination period

For standard ENS nominations lodged from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026, the current threshold figure tied to the salary rules is AUD 76,515. Since salary rules can change with annual indexation, this is an item worth checking right before nomination and filing.

How Stepping Stones Career Solutions Helps You Check the 186 visa occupation list

At Stepping Stones Career Solutions, the value is not just finding your job on a chart. The real work is checking that the whole employer-sponsored PR path fits together.

We usually help with:

ANZSCO code review so the occupation choice matches your real duties
Stream selection support so you do not confuse Direct Entry with TRT
Employer-sponsored pathway review to check nomination fit
Skills assessment planning where Direct Entry requires it
Document review and filing support before nomination and visa lodgement

That kind of review can save months of delay, mainly for applicants whose title, duties, visa history, and employer paperwork do not line up neatly at first look.

Final word

The 186 visa occupation list is still one of the first things people search, and for good reason. If you are using the Direct Entry stream, the occupation check is central. If you are using TRT, the answer sits more in your temporary skilled visa history and your employer pathway than in a separate occupation chart.In both instances, the best course of action is to verify the ANZSCO code, stream, nomination setup, and salary arrangements before submitting.

Book a consultation with Stepping Stones Career Solutions to verify your occupation, stream, and employer-sponsored PR pathway.

FAQs on 186 Visa Occupation List

What occupations are eligible for 186?

For Direct Entry, eligible occupations are the occupations on the current CSOL, using ANZSCO 2022 for subclass 186. The current setup spans health, teaching, engineering, trades, hospitality, IT, and business roles, but the exact code and any caveats matter. For TRT, there is no separate occupation list in the same way.

Who is eligible for visa 186 Australia?

Subclass 186 is for skilled workers nominated by an employer for permanent residence. Eligibility depends on the stream. For Direct Entry, the current checks include being under 45 unless exempt, being nominated in a CSOL occupation, having at least 3 years of relevant work experience, usually holding a positive skills assessment before lodgement unless exempt, and meeting the English requirement. For TRT, the path usually turns on your current or recent temporary skilled visa history and at least 2 years of eligible sponsored full-time employment.

What is the new rule for a 186 visa?

The significant change in recent times is that from the 7th of December 2024, the CSOL replaces the long-term occupation list in the ENS direct entry visa, and the Core Skills income threshold replaces the old threshold settings in the ENS salary thresholds. TRT is also more flexible as more sponsored full-time work is included in the last three years.

Which occupation is in high demand in Australia?

Demand levels for certain occupations fluctuate. Recent reports from the government show occupations like Chefs, General Practitioners and Resident Medical Officers, Motor Mechanics, Software and Applications Programmers, Registered Nurses, Cafe and Restaurant Managers, and other trade and technical occupations have high levels of nomination demand. High levels of nomination demand do not automatically equate to high levels of subclass 186 eligibility, but rather high levels of sponsorship demand.

How long will it take to grant a 186 visa?

The time frame for granting a 186 visa is not fixed. Home Affairs regularly updates global visa and citizenship processing times. These time frames may vary depending on factors such as the visa application, response time for additional documents, and the availability of places in the migration program. Home Affairs also states that lower-priority skilled applications may take longer than the guide time frame.

What is the minimum salary for 186 visa?

The current figure is AUD 76,515, which is applicable for the standard ENS nomination settings lodged between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026. However, the salary is subject to annual indexation. Therefore, the current figure must be checked prior to the nomination.

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