SOL: Skilled Occupation Lists for Australian Migration Explained
SOL (Skilled Occupation List) is a generic term that refers to the various occupation lists used in Australia's skilled migration program. If your occupation isn't on the relevant list, you can't apply for the associated visa — it's that straightforward. But with multiple lists that have changed names, merged, and been reformed over the years, figuring out which list applies to your situation can be genuinely confusing. Here's how the system works and what the recent consolidation into the CSOL means for applicants.
What Are Skilled Occupation Lists?
Australia's skilled migration program is occupation-driven. Unlike some countries that use a points-only system, Australia requires that your occupation appears on a specified list before you can apply for most skilled visas. Each occupation on these lists is identified by its ANZSCO code — a six-digit number that classifies your profession.
The lists serve a gatekeeping function: they determine which occupations the government considers to be in demand or strategically important for Australia's economy. If your occupation isn't listed, it doesn't matter how skilled you are or how many points you'd score — you won't have access to the visa pathway linked to that list.
The Multiple Lists: A Brief History
Over the years, Australia has used several different occupation lists. This is where confusion often arises, because older names still appear in guides, forum posts, and even some official resources.
MLTSSL — Medium and Long Term Strategic Skills List
The MLTSSL contains occupations that are in high demand and are considered strategically important to Australia's economy over the medium to long term. Occupations on this list are eligible for:
- Subclass 189 — Skilled Independent visa (points-tested, no sponsor needed)
- Subclass 190 — Skilled Nominated visa (state/territory nomination)
- Subclass 491 — Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa
- Subclass 482 — Temporary Skill Shortage visa (Medium-Term stream)
Being on the MLTSSL has historically provided the broadest range of visa options.
STSOL — Short-Term Skilled Occupation List
The STSOL covers occupations that are in demand but aren't considered to be long-term strategic priorities. Visas available through STSOL occupations are more limited:
- Subclass 482 — Temporary Skill Shortage visa (Short-Term stream only, maximum 2 years)
- Subclass 190 and 491 (with state/territory nomination, in some cases)
The key restriction: STSOL occupations on the 482 Short-Term stream don't provide a direct pathway to permanent residency through the 186 transition stream.
ROL — Regional Occupation List
The ROL supplements the MLTSSL and STSOL with additional occupations that are specifically in demand in regional Australia. Occupations on the ROL can be used for:
- Subclass 491 — Skilled Work Regional visa
- Subclass 494 — Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa
Combined list: MLTSSL + STSOL + ROL
In practice, many applicants needed to check all three lists to determine their eligibility. The Department published a combined list that showed each occupation alongside which list(s) it appeared on and which visas it was eligible for.
CSOL: The Core Skills Occupation List
The government has been consolidating these multiple lists into a single Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) as part of the Skills in Demand (SID) visa reforms. The CSOL replaces the MLTSSL, STSOL, and ROL for the purposes of the new visa framework.
The CSOL is used for the Core Skills stream of the Skills in Demand visa. It's designed to be more responsive to labour market changes and is updated more regularly than the old lists.
Key features of the CSOL:
- Covers occupations at ANZSCO skill levels 1 through 3
- Updated through a more dynamic process involving Jobs and Skills Australia
- Intended to be a single, unified list rather than a patchwork of separate lists
- Includes occupations previously spread across the MLTSSL, STSOL, and ROL
What about the old lists? The MLTSSL, STSOL, and ROL continue to apply for visa subclasses that haven't yet been transitioned to the new framework (such as existing 189, 190, and 491 applications). As the reforms roll out, expect the old lists to be phased out.
How to Check If Your Occupation Is on a List
Step 1: Identify your ANZSCO code
Before checking any list, you need to know your ANZSCO code. This is the six-digit code that classifies your occupation. Don't go by job title alone — read the occupation description and ensure your actual duties match.
Step 2: Search the relevant list
The Department of Home Affairs publishes the occupation lists on its website. You can search by:
- ANZSCO code
- Occupation name
- Visa subclass
Step 3: Check the assessing authority
Each occupation on the lists has a designated skills assessing authority — the organisation that will evaluate whether your qualifications and experience match the claimed occupation. For example:
- Engineers Australia (for engineering occupations)
- ACS (for ICT occupations)
- VETASSESS (for a wide range of professional and trade occupations)
- TRA (for trade occupations)
You'll need a positive skills assessment from the relevant authority before you can lodge most skilled visa applications through SkillSelect.
Step 4: Verify the visa pathway
Just because your occupation is on a list doesn't mean it qualifies for every visa. Check which specific visa subclasses your occupation is eligible for. An occupation on the STSOL has different visa options than one on the MLTSSL.
What If Your Occupation Isn't Listed?
If your occupation doesn't appear on any relevant list, your options include:
- Check for a closely related occupation. Sometimes a different ANZSCO code covers similar work. Be careful here — claiming an occupation that doesn't match your actual duties is a compliance risk.
- Consider employer-sponsored pathways. Some occupations not on the standard lists can be accessed through labour agreements or company-specific agreements.
- Look at state/territory nomination lists. State and territory governments publish their own occupation lists for subclass 190 and 491 visas. These sometimes include occupations not on the national lists.
- Wait for list updates. The CSOL and other lists are updated periodically. An occupation not listed today might be added in a future update.
- Explore alternative visa pathways. Not all visas are occupation-list dependent. Partner visas, business visas, and some other categories don't require your occupation to appear on a list.
How Lists Are Updated
Occupation lists aren't static. They're reviewed and updated based on:
- Labour market data — employment projections, vacancy rates, industry feedback
- Advice from Jobs and Skills Australia — the body that provides evidence-based recommendations
- Government policy priorities — sectors the government wants to grow or support
- Stakeholder consultations — input from employers, industry bodies, unions, and state/territory governments
Historically, major list updates happened once or twice a year. Under the CSOL framework, the intention is for more frequent, targeted updates to respond faster to changing labour market conditions.
When an occupation is removed from a list, it doesn't affect existing visa holders or people with pending applications lodged before the removal date. It affects future applications only.
When an occupation is added, it opens new visa pathways that weren't previously available. This can be a game-changer for applicants who've been waiting for their profession to be listed.
Common Misconceptions
"My occupation is on the list, so I'll definitely get a visa." Being listed is necessary but not sufficient. You still need to meet points thresholds, skills assessment requirements, health and character criteria, and any other visa-specific conditions.
"The lists are the same as they were when I last checked." Lists change. Always verify the current version before relying on older information. An occupation that was listed last year may have been removed, or its visa eligibility may have changed.
"SOL means one specific list." The term "SOL" is used loosely. In older contexts, it referred to the now-defunct Skilled Occupation List. Today, people use "SOL" generically to mean whichever occupation list applies. Always clarify which specific list you're discussing.
Related Resources
- ANZSCO Codes Explained — finding and understanding your occupation code
- MLTSSL Explained — detailed breakdown of the Medium and Long Term Strategic Skills List
- SkillSelect and EOI — submitting an Expression of Interest for skilled migration
- Labour Market Testing — employer advertising requirements for sponsored visas
- MARA and Migration Agents — getting professional advice on your occupation and visa options
