Direct PR routes
Subclass 189 and 190 grant permanent residence on grant — no probation period, immediate Medicare access.
In-demand occupations · 2026
🇦🇺 Australia in-demand & shortage occupation list
updated for 2026.
25 shortage occupations across 4 sectors, with indicative salaries, official codes and the visa route each one unlocks.
Department of Home Affairs / Jobs and Skills Australia · CSOL in force from December 2024, reviewed 2026
Overview
Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) & Skills in Demand visa
Australia replaced the old MLTSSL/STSOL structure with the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) under the Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa, alongside the long-standing points-tested skilled visas — subclass 189 Skilled Independent, 190 State Nominated and 491 Regional. The CSOL now carries roughly 456 occupations, and every state publishes its own tighter shortage list for nomination.
How the Australia shortage list works
- 1Identify your ANZSCO code and confirm it sits on the CSOL or the relevant state nomination list.
- 2Obtain a positive skills assessment from the designated authority (ACS for IT, Engineers Australia, VETASSESS, AHPRA and so on).
- 3Score 65+ points for a subclass 189/190 EOI; competitive scores in 2026 are 85-95 for most ICT and 75-85 for trades and health.
- 4State nomination adds 5 points (190) or 15 points (491) and unlocks lists your occupation may only appear on regionally.
Sector-wise demand
Australia shortage occupations by sector
Healthcare
| Occupation | Code | Indicative salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered nurse (all specialisations) | ANZSCO 2544 | AUD 78,000 – 105,000 | Priority in every state |
| General practitioner & resident medical officer | ANZSCO 2531 | AUD 200,000 – 400,000 | |
| Midwife | ANZSCO 2541 | AUD 82,000 – 108,000 | |
| Physiotherapist | ANZSCO 2525 | AUD 75,000 – 100,000 | |
| Medical laboratory scientist | ANZSCO 2346 | AUD 72,000 – 95,000 | |
| Aged & disability carer | ANZSCO 4231 | AUD 58,000 – 72,000 | Care sector labour agreement |
ICT & digital
| Occupation | Code | Indicative salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software engineer | ANZSCO 261313 | AUD 100,000 – 145,000 | |
| Developer programmer | ANZSCO 261312 | AUD 95,000 – 135,000 | |
| ICT business & systems analyst | ANZSCO 261111 / 261112 | AUD 105,000 – 140,000 | |
| Cyber security analyst | ANZSCO 262114 | AUD 110,000 – 155,000 | |
| Network & systems engineer | ANZSCO 263111 | AUD 95,000 – 130,000 | |
| Data analyst / scientist | ANZSCO 224114 / 224999 | AUD 100,000 – 140,000 |
Engineering & construction
| Occupation | Code | Indicative salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil engineer | ANZSCO 233211 | AUD 95,000 – 135,000 | |
| Structural engineer | ANZSCO 233214 | AUD 98,000 – 138,000 | |
| Mechanical engineer | ANZSCO 233512 | AUD 95,000 – 130,000 | |
| Electrical engineer | ANZSCO 233311 | AUD 100,000 – 140,000 | |
| Mining & geotechnical engineer | ANZSCO 233611 / 233212 | AUD 130,000 – 190,000 | |
| Construction project manager | ANZSCO 133111 | AUD 130,000 – 180,000 |
Trades, education & other
| Occupation | Code | Indicative salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrician (general) | ANZSCO 341111 | AUD 85,000 – 115,000 | |
| Motor mechanic & diesel fitter | ANZSCO 321211 / 321212 | AUD 75,000 – 100,000 | |
| Carpenter & joiner | ANZSCO 331212 | AUD 78,000 – 105,000 | |
| Chef | ANZSCO 351311 | AUD 70,000 – 92,000 | |
| Early childhood teacher | ANZSCO 241111 | AUD 78,000 – 105,000 | |
| Secondary school teacher — maths & science | ANZSCO 241411 | AUD 82,000 – 115,000 | |
| Accountant (general) & external auditor | ANZSCO 221111 / 221213 | AUD 85,000 – 120,000 | High EOI competition |
Salaries are indicative gross annual figures for 2026 hiring and vary by employer, city, experience and negotiation. Shortage lists are revised by the issuing authority — we re-verify your occupation before any filing.
Why it matters
What a shortage occupation gets you in Australia
Regional 15-point boost
Subclass 491 regional nomination adds 15 points and converts to PR (191) after three years.
Core Skills threshold
The Skills in Demand visa raised the salary floor, pushing employers toward genuine shortage hiring at strong pay.
Matching visa routes
File under the right Australia category
Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)
Points-tested Australian PR with no sponsor required
Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)
State-nominated permanent residency with a 5-point boost
Skilled Work Regional (Subclass 491)
Regional 5-year provisional PR with pathway to 191
Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482)
3-stream employer-sponsored work visa with PR pathway
Student Visa (Subclass 500)
Study at Australian universities and colleges
Documents Required for Australia
Complete document checklist for Australia PR, work and study visas
Australia in-demand occupations — FAQs
Which skills assessment body applies to me?
+
ACS for ICT, Engineers Australia for engineering, AHPRA plus ANMAC for nursing, VETASSESS for most managerial and non-licensed roles, and TRA for trades. We prepare the full assessment dossier.
Do I need state nomination?
+
Not for subclass 189, but with 2026 invitation rounds tightening, nomination is often the difference between an invite and an expired EOI. We shortlist the states where your ANZSCO is currently open.
How long is the wait?
+
Skills assessment 8-14 weeks, EOI invitation 1-9 months depending on points, visa decision 4-9 months. Realistically 10-18 months end to end.
Free occupation & eligibility check
Is your occupation in demand in Australia?
Honest eligibility read within 24 hours. Written scope, written fees, and a single accountable case manager from day one to landing.
Why 12,000+ clients trust us
- ✓ 9+ years in Pune — since 2016
- ✓ 4.9★ average rating, verified reviews
- ✓ Written fee agreements, no surprises
- ✓ ICCRC-aligned filing processes
- ✓ Post-landing support in destination country
Free visa assessment
Get a free eligibility check for your visa
Share a few details — a licensed advisor will call you within 24 hours with an honest read on your profile.
- ✓ Response within 24 hours by a licensed advisor
- ✓ Written scope and fixed fee — no hidden charges
- ✓ 9+ years, 12,000+ successful cases across India