Australia's occupation lists, explained without the alphabet soup
CSOL, ANZSCO, assessing authorities: what the lists actually control, how to check yours properly, and what to do if your job isn't on one.
Reviewed MARN 0317382Jul 2026 published6 min read
Your occupation, matched to an ANZSCO code, is the key that opens (or doesn't open) each visa. The Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), around 456 occupations, governs the 482's Core Skills stream and employer PR pathways. The points-tested program runs on its own eligible lists. The Specialist Skills stream largely ignores lists if the salary clears $146,717. Checking "is my job on the list" properly means matching your actual duties to the right code, not just your job title.
What each list controls
| List | Controls |
|---|---|
| Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) | 482 Core Skills stream and related employer PR nominations |
| Skilled occupation lists | Which occupations can lodge EOIs for the 189, 190 and 491, and which authority assesses them |
| State and territory lists | Which occupations each state nominates for 190/491, often narrower and with extra criteria |
Titles lie, duties decide
ANZSCO matches occupations by tasks, qualifications and skill level, not by what your contract calls you. A "Marketing Manager" whose actual duties are sales coordination will fail a skills assessment lodged under the wrong code, and a refusal built on the wrong code wastes both the assessment and the application. The right sequence is: duties → code → list → assessing authority, in that order, before any money moves.
If your occupation isn't listed
- Check adjacent codes honestly. Many roles genuinely fit more than one ANZSCO code; pick the one your evidence supports.
- Salary can substitute: at $146,717+, the Specialist Skills stream opens most occupations regardless of the CSOL.
- States differ: an occupation missing federally may appear on a state list with conditions.
- Labour agreements exist for genuinely unlisted, essential roles, at the employer's initiative.
General information only, current at 18 July 2026. Not immigration assistance or advice for your circumstances. Visacorp Pty Ltd — MARN 0317382 · 1799004 · 0104178.
Common questions
How do I check if my occupation is on the list?
Match your actual duties to an ANZSCO code first, then check that code against the list for your intended visa, and note which authority assesses it. Job titles alone routinely mislead.
My occupation is on the CSOL. Am I eligible for the 482?
It's one requirement of several. You still need a sponsoring employer, the salary threshold, one year of relevant experience and English. The list is the door, not the whole house.
What if my occupation was removed from a list?
Existing applications are generally assessed under the rules at lodgement. For future applications, look at adjacent codes, state lists, the Specialist Skills salary route or a labour agreement.
Unsure where your situation fits?
Twenty minutes with a registered agent is the fastest way to a straight answer.