· NextMigrate Team
Australia's Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) 2026, Explained
Imagine you are a chef in Kathmandu, a civil engineer in Manila or an accountant in Karachi. You search "Australia skilled occupation list 2026" and find three or four different lists, all with long names. One says your job is in. Another says it is not. Which list actually decides your visa?
The short answer: Australia uses different lists for different visas. The Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) has 456 occupations and decides who an employer can sponsor on the Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa, Core Skills stream, and on the 186 Direct Entry stream. The points-tested permanent visas use other lists: the MLTSSL for the 189, and the MLTSSL plus the STSOL (and, for 491, the Regional Occupation List) for state-nominated 190 and 491 visas. As of 2 November 2026, the CSOL in force is the one compiled on 7 November 2025 (LIN 24/089), and the points-test lists were last compiled on 28 March 2026 (LIN 19/051). A job can be on one list and not the other.
Which list goes with which visa
| Visa | What it is | List that decides your occupation |
|---|---|---|
| 482 Skills in Demand, Core Skills stream | Employer-sponsored, up to 4 years | CSOL |
| 186 Employer Nomination, Direct Entry | Employer-sponsored, permanent | CSOL |
| 189 Skilled Independent | Points-tested, permanent, no sponsor | MLTSSL only |
| 190 Skilled Nominated | Points-tested, permanent, state nominated | MLTSSL + STSOL |
| 491 Skilled Work Regional | Points-tested, provisional, regional | MLTSSL + STSOL + ROL (state nominated) or MLTSSL (family sponsored) |
| 485 Temporary Graduate | Post-study | MLTSSL |
Sources: Home Affairs skilled occupation list page and LIN 19/051, section 7, checked November 2026.
There is one more twist. The CSOL uses the 2022 version of the occupation codes (ANZSCO), while the MLTSSL, STSOL and ROL use the 2013 version (Home Affairs). Most codes are the same, but a few jobs were split or renamed. Ask yourself: am I reading the right code for the visa I want?
Is your job on it? 15 common examples
Checked against the two legislative instruments in November 2026.
| Occupation | Code on CSOL | On CSOL (482)? | 189 list (MLTSSL)? | 190 list (MLTSSL or STSOL)? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 261313 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Developer Programmer | 261312 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| ICT Business Analyst | 261111 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Registered Nurse (Medical) | 254418 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| General Practitioner | 253111 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Civil Engineer | 233211 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Mechanical Engineer | 233512 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Accountant (General) | 221111 | Yes, with caveats | Yes | Yes |
| Secondary School Teacher | 241411 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Electrician (General) | 341111 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Plumber (General) | 334116 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Motor Mechanic (General) | 321211 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Chef | 351311 | Yes, with caveats | Yes | Yes |
| Cook | 351411 | Yes, with caveats | No | Yes (STSOL) |
| Retail Manager (General) | 142111 | Yes | No | No |
Sources: Migration (Specification of Occupations, Subclass 482 Visa) Instrument 2024 and LIN 19/051. Being on a list is only the first test. A state must also choose to nominate your job for a 190 or 491, and each state publishes its own list.
Not on the CSOL at all? Some well-known jobs, such as Cafe or Restaurant Manager, are not on the CSOL in November 2026, though that job is on the STSOL. Read our guide to what to do if your occupation is not on the skilled list.
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What "caveats" mean
A caveat is a condition attached to an occupation on the CSOL. If a caveat applies, the employer cannot sponsor that job in some situations, for example certain business types or low-skill versions of the role. Chef, Cook and Accountant (General) all carry caveat numbers in the instrument. Your employer's nomination must show the caveat does not apply. Caveats apply to the 482 and the 186 Direct Entry stream, not to the points-tested visas (Home Affairs).
The rest of the 482 Core Skills test
Being on the CSOL does not get you a visa by itself. For the Core Skills stream you also need (Home Affairs, November 2026):
- an approved sponsor who nominates you
- at least 1 year of relevant work experience in the last 5 years
- English at the required level, unless exempt
- a salary of at least the Core Skills Income Threshold: A$79,423 for nominations lodged from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027, and at least the market rate for the job (Home Affairs salary requirements)
The Specialist Skills stream works differently. It is for higher earners, with a threshold of A$146,576 for nominations from 1 July 2026. Check the Home Affairs page for which jobs it excludes.
The main applicant charge for a 482 is A$4,015, plus A$4,015 for each adult and A$1,005 for each child under 18 who applies with you (Migration Regulations 1994, item 1240, compilation of 2 October 2026). Never pay an employer or agent for the sponsorship itself. Home Affairs makes it a visa requirement that you have not been involved in "paying for visa sponsorship". Read our guide to visa farms and sponsorship for sale.
How to use the lists without getting lost
- Find your code. Match your real duties to the ANZSCO description, not just your title.
- Check the CSOL if you hope for employer sponsorship.
- Check the MLTSSL and STSOL if you want a points-tested visa, then check your score with our free Australia points calculator.
- Check the state lists if you want a 190 or 491. Our guide to the 190 vs 491 trade-off explains the choice.
- Check the assessing authority. The instrument names the body that assesses each job, for example ANMAC for nurses. Our guide to skills assessment timelines shows how long each takes.
For a general method that works for any country's list, read how to read a skilled occupation list. If you are a UK passport holder, our guide to moving to Australia from the UK covers the working holiday route too.
Will the CSOL change?
It can. The CSOL is a legislative instrument, so the Minister can amend it, and the new version applies to nominations made after it starts. Home Affairs says pending applications are not harmed if an occupation is later removed, and current visa holders are only affected if they change job or employer and need a new nomination (Home Affairs). Check the Federal Register of Legislation for the latest compilation before your employer lodges.
Frequently asked questions
How many occupations are on the Core Skills Occupation List?
456, in the compilation of 7 November 2025 that was still the latest on 2 November 2026.
Is the CSOL the same as the skilled occupation list for the 189 visa?
No. The 189 uses the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). The CSOL is for the employer-sponsored 482 Core Skills stream and the 186 Direct Entry stream. Many jobs are on both, but not all.
Are nurses on the Core Skills Occupation List?
Yes. Registered nurse occupations, such as Registered Nurse (Medical), are on the CSOL and on the MLTSSL. Nurses also need Ahpra registration to practise.
Is cook on the CSOL in 2026?
Yes, Cook (351411) is on the CSOL with caveats. For points-tested visas it is on the STSOL, so it can only be used for state-nominated 190 or 491 visas, not the 189.
Is there a CSOL PDF for 2026?
The official version is the legislative instrument on the Federal Register of Legislation, which you can download as a PDF or Word file. Home Affairs also has a searchable list of eligible skilled occupations.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Occupation lists, caveats and thresholds can change. Always confirm with the official source and a licensed lawyer or registered migration agent before you act.
