SOL
Skilled Occupation Lists
Understanding which occupation list your role falls under is the critical first step before starting any skilled migration application. Our immigration lawyers explain the MLTSSL, STSOL and ROL in plain English and confirm where your occupation sits.
- Guide / Resource Page
- Critical first step
What Are the Skilled Occupation Lists?
Before applying for most skilled migration visas in Australia, your occupation must appear on one of three lists maintained by the Department of Home Affairs. Which list your occupation falls under directly determines the visa pathways available to you — so getting this right from the beginning is essential.
MLTSSL — Medium & Long-Term Strategic Skills
- Eligible for Subclass 189 (no sponsor needed)
- Eligible for 190, 491, 186, 482
- Occupations in highest demand across Australia
- Generally 2-year work experience required
STSOL — Short-Term Skilled Occupations
- NOT eligible for Subclass 189
- Eligible for 190 (state nominated), 491
- Eligible for employer-sponsored 482 (2-year max initially)
- Updated quarterly
ROL — Regional Occupations List
- Only available for the 491 regional provisional visa
- Occupations that can only be nominated for regional areas
- Includes trades and regional healthcare roles
Skills Assessments — What You Also Need
Confirming your occupation list is only the first step. You also need a positive skills assessment from the designated assessing authority for your occupation before you can apply. Common assessing bodies include:
- Engineers Australia (engineering occupations)
- VETASSESS (professional and para-professional roles)
- TRA — Trades Recognition Australia (trade occupations)
- AHPRA (health professions)
- Australian Computer Society (ICT)
- CPA Australia / CAANZ / IPA (accounting)
Why Choose Amity Lawyers?
Navigating the occupation lists and skills assessment process can be more complex than it first appears. Occupations can appear under different titles, sit across multiple lists, or have recently been added or removed. Our immigration lawyers review your qualifications, employment history and occupation against the current lists to confirm your eligibility and identify the strongest visa pathway available to you — before you invest time or money into the process.
Contact us today to book your free consultation.