Glossary.

Skills lists

Four official lists drive the entire skilled migration program. Each gates a different set of visa subclasses.

CSOL

Core Skills Occupation ListCore skills

The list that powers the new Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482). Replaces the legacy STSOL/MLTSSL split for employer sponsorship from December 2024.

MLTSSL

Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills ListMedium / Long term

Long-horizon shortages. These occupations unlock points-tested independent skilled visas (189) and the longest pathway to permanent residency.

STSOL

Short-term Skilled Occupation ListShort term

Sponsored, time-limited shortages. Used historically for the legacy 482 short-term stream and 190 state nominations in some states.

ROL

Regional Occupation ListRegional

Occupations sponsored only outside major metropolitan areas — strongest pathway to a 491 provisional regional visa.

Visa subclasses

The seven subclasses you'll encounter across this site, in rough order of how a student-to-PR journey usually unfolds.

485Provisional

Temporary Graduate

Temporary Graduate. Post-study work visa for international graduates. From July 2024, the general age cap dropped from 50 to 35; 50 still applies for Master by Research, Doctoral, and HK/BNO graduates.

482Provisional

Skills in Demand

Skills in Demand visa, formerly TSS. Employer-sponsored. Three streams (Specialist, Core, Essential) introduced December 2024. Replaced the old short/medium-term split.

186Permanent

Employer Nomination Scheme

Employer Nomination Scheme. Permanent residency via direct employer sponsorship. Generally requires under 45 with several concession pathways.

189Permanent

Skilled Independent

Skilled Independent. The points-tested permanent visa with no sponsorship requirement. Backed by the MLTSSL and currently runs on a four-tier prioritisation system with quarterly invitation rounds.

190Permanent

Skilled Nominated (State)

Skilled Nominated. Permanent visa requiring nomination by an Australian state or territory; +5 points for the nomination.

491Provisional

Skilled Work Regional (Provisional)

Skilled Work Regional (Provisional). Five-year provisional visa requiring state/territory nomination for a regional area; +15 points for the nomination. Converts to permanent residency via subclass 191 after three years of qualifying regional work.

494Provisional

Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional

Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional). Regional employer-sponsored equivalent of 482 with a PR pathway after three years.

Skills assessment and process

ANZSCO

Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations

The official 6-digit occupation classification used by the Department of Home Affairs and Jobs and Skills Australia. Every occupation on this site is anchored to its ANZSCO code.

AQF

Australian Qualifications Framework

The 10-level scale Australia uses to rank educational qualifications. Certificate III is AQF 3, a Bachelor's degree is AQF 7, a Master's is AQF 9, and a Doctorate is AQF 10. Most assessing authorities require a minimum AQF level for skills assessment.

EOI

Expression of Interest

The application a prospective skilled migrant lodges in SkillSelect to be considered for an invitation. EOIs are scored against a points test and ranked within their occupation tier.

English language

IELTS

International English Language Testing System

One of the accepted English tests for visa purposes. Scored on a 9-point band scale; 6.0 overall meets Competent English, 7.0 meets Proficient, 8.0 meets Superior. See /english for the full mapping.

PTE

Pearson Test of English

The other commonly-accepted English test for visas. From 7 August 2025, PTE results are assessed against per-skill minima rather than a single overall score.

For the full IELTS/PTE band table and which occupations require above-standard English, see English requirements.

Regulatory

MARA

Migration Agents Registration Authority

The body that licences and regulates Australian migration agents. Only MARA-registered agents can legally provide migration advice. The MARA register is the official lookup of registered agents.