Your ANZSCO code is the single most important piece of information in the Australian skilled migration process. It determines which visas you can apply for, which skills assessment body evaluates your qualifications, and how many points you score. Getting it wrong can derail your entire application. Here's how to find your code correctly.
Quick Facts: ANZSCO Codes
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| What It Is | Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations |
| Format | 6-digit code (e.g., 261313 for Software Engineer) |
| Purpose | Classifies occupations for migration, statistics, and workforce planning |
| Maintained By | Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) |
| Used For | Skills assessment, SkillSelect EOI, visa applications |
| Total Occupations | Approximately 1,000 individual occupation codes |
Step 1: Understand What ANZSCO Is
ANZSCO is a classification system that assigns a unique code to every occupation recognised in Australia and New Zealand. It was developed by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and Statistics New Zealand.
The structure works like this:
- First digit: Major group (e.g., 2 = Professionals)
- First two digits: Sub-major group (e.g., 26 = ICT Professionals)
- First four digits: Unit group (e.g., 2613 = Software and Applications Programmers)
- All six digits: Specific occupation (e.g., 261313 = Software Engineer)
For migration purposes, you need the full six-digit code. Home Affairs uses two ANZSCO versions: the 2022 version for subclass 186 and 482, and the 2013 version for all other skilled visas. A few codes differ between them. Plumber (General), for example, is 334116 for the 186 and 482 and 334111 for other visas.
Step 2: Search the ANZSCO Database
Official Sources
Department of Home Affairs Occupation List: The most migration-relevant source. Search by occupation title or code to see which list your occupation is on and which assessing authority applies.
ABS ANZSCO Search Tool: The Australian Bureau of Statistics provides the complete ANZSCO database searchable by keyword, code, or occupation title.
How to Search Effectively
- Use multiple search terms: Your job title may not match exactly. A "Full Stack Developer" should search for "Software Engineer," "Developer Programmer," and "Applications Programmer."
- Read the occupation description: Each ANZSCO code has a detailed description of what the role involves. Match based on your actual duties, not your job title.
- Check the tasks listed: ANZSCO includes indicative skill level and common tasks for each occupation. These should substantially match what you actually do.
Step 3: Match Your Duties, Not Your Title
This is where most people go wrong. Your ANZSCO code should be based on what you actually do, not what your business card says.
Common Mismatches
| Your Job Title | What You Might Think | Correct ANZSCO Based on Duties |
|---|---|---|
| IT Manager | 135111 (CIO) | 135199 (ICT Managers nec) or 261111 (ICT Business Analyst) |
| Marketing Manager | 131112 (Sales and Marketing Manager) | 225113 (Marketing Specialist) if not managing staff |
| Engineer | Various engineering codes | Depends on actual engineering discipline and duties |
| Consultant | Various | Depends on what you're consulting on, not the title |
| Project Manager | 511112 (Program or Project Administrator) | Could be 133111 (Construction PM) if construction-specific |
The Duty-Based Test
Your skills assessment body will evaluate your claimed ANZSCO code against your actual duties. They look at:
- Your employment reference letters (must describe day-to-day duties)
- Your qualification content
- Your career trajectory
- The tasks and responsibilities you performed
If there's a mismatch between your claimed code and your actual work, your skills assessment will be negative.
Step 4: Check Migration Eligibility
Once you've identified your ANZSCO code, verify that it appears on the relevant skilled occupation list:
- Search the Department of Home Affairs occupation lists
- Confirm which list(s) your code appears on (MLTSSL, STSOL, ROL, or CSOL)
- Identify the designated assessing authority
- Check state nomination lists for your target state(s)
- Confirm visa pathway options
Step 5: Identify Your Assessing Authority
Most listed occupations have one designated skills assessment body, and a few (such as Accountant (General)) list more than one. You must use an authority named for your occupation — applying to the wrong one wastes time and money.
Common Assessing Authorities
| Authority | Occupations Assessed |
|---|---|
| ACS | ICT professionals (software engineers, developers, analysts) |
| Engineers Australia (EA) | Most engineering occupations (some engineering technicians go to TRA or VETASSESS) |
| ANMAC | Nurses and midwives |
| CPA/CA ANZ/IPA | Accountants and auditors |
| VETASSESS | Broad range of professional and general occupations |
| AITSL | School teachers (early childhood teachers go to ACECQA) |
| TRA | Trade occupations (electricians, plumbers, welders, etc.) |
| AACA | Architects |
| MedBA | Medical practitioners |
| APS | Psychologists |
| AASW | Social workers |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake 1: Choosing the Highest-Skilled Code
Some applicants pick the most senior or prestigious-sounding ANZSCO code. If you're a software developer but claim to be an ICT Manager, your skills assessment will fail because your duties don't match.
Mistake 2: Ignoring Skill Level
ANZSCO assigns skill levels (1-5) to each occupation. Skill level 1 requires a bachelor's degree or higher. If you don't have the required qualifications for a skill level 1 occupation, you'll need to demonstrate equivalent experience — which is assessed differently by each authority.
Mistake 3: Using Your Company's Job Title
Companies create their own job titles that may not align with ANZSCO classifications. "Growth Hacker," "Ninja Developer," or "Chief Happiness Officer" aren't ANZSCO codes. Map your actual duties to the closest ANZSCO occupation.
Mistake 4: Not Reading the Full Description
Each ANZSCO code has a description, alternative titles, and task list. Read the full description before committing to a code. The summary title can be misleading.
Mistake 5: Choosing an Unlisted Code
Some applicants identify their ANZSCO code but don't check whether it's on the skilled occupation list. An accurate ANZSCO code that's not on any list is useless for migration purposes.
What If You Can't Find Your Occupation?
If your specific occupation doesn't seem to have an ANZSCO code:
- Broaden your search: Use different keywords and synonyms
- Check "not elsewhere classified" codes: Many unit groups have an "nec" (not elsewhere classified) code that catches occupations not specifically listed
- Consult your assessing authority: They can advise on the most appropriate code for your duties
- Consider a migration agent: A registered migration agent can help identify the correct code for complex cases
- Review related codes: Your work may span multiple ANZSCO codes; choose the one that best represents the majority of your duties
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my ANZSCO code after lodging my EOI?
Yes, you can update your SkillSelect EOI, but you'll need a new skills assessment for the new code. This restarts the assessment process.
What if my occupation has multiple possible codes?
Choose the code that best represents the majority of your duties. If in doubt, consult the assessing authority or a migration agent.
Does my employer need to match my ANZSCO code?
For employer-sponsored visas, the nominated position must substantially match your ANZSCO code duties. For points-tested visas, the match is between your skills assessment and your EOI.
How long does a skills assessment take?
It varies by authority. ACS: 4 to 6 weeks, according to the ACS. Engineers Australia: generally 15 weeks for a standard application to be assigned to an assessor (this is not the time to an outcome). VETASSESS: about 7 weeks for professional occupations, or 10 business days with priority processing once the application is confirmed eligible. ANMAC does not publish a set time.
Can I have skills assessments for multiple ANZSCO codes?
Yes, but each requires a separate application and fee. Some applicants obtain assessments for multiple codes to maximise their options.
Is ANZSCO the same as SOC or ISCO?
No. ANZSCO is specific to Australia and New Zealand. SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) is used in the US and UK, and ISCO (International Standard Classification of Occupations) is used by the ILO. They don't map directly to each other.
