Australia occupation list for Filipinos: is your job on it, and which list counts?

Tips · 2026-10-31 · 9 min read

Before you apply for a sponsored job in Australia, check that your occupation is on the official list. For the Skills in Demand (482) visa Core Skills stream, the employer must nominate you for an occupation on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), so a job ad that mentions sponsorship is only the start. This guide shows Filipino workers how to read the list, find the right ANZSCO code and use the assessing authority column.

Why the list comes before the job application

Many Filipino applicants send CVs first and learn about the occupation list later, usually when the employer asks for a code. By then you may have paid for documents you did not need, or chosen a job title that does not match any occupation on the list.

A short check at the start saves money and weeks. It also helps you answer a recruiter's question clearly, which matters when the employer is deciding whether to nominate you. Our Skills in Demand (482) visa guide for Filipino workers explains the visa itself; this post is only about the occupation check.

What the combined list actually shows

Home Affairs publishes one combined list of eligible skilled occupations. For each occupation it shows whether the job is on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) or the Regional Occupation List (ROL). It also names the skills assessing authority for that occupation.

Open the official skilled occupation list on the Home Affairs website and keep it open while you read the table below.

What you see on the list	What it tells you	What to do next
Occupation name and ANZSCO code	The exact job the employer would nominate	Match the duties, not only the title
CSOL, MLTSSL, STSOL or ROL marks	Which lists the occupation belongs to	Check which list your visa needs
Assessing authority	Who checks your skills, if an assessment is needed	Open that authority's own page

Step by step: check your occupation in about an hour

Write down your main duties from your last two jobs in the Philippines: what you did every day, which tools and machines you used, and whether you supervised others.
Search the official list for the closest occupation names, then read the duties of two or three that look similar. Choose the one that honestly matches your work.
Note the ANZSCO code and which lists show a mark against that occupation.
Read the assessing authority column and open that authority's page to see what evidence it asks for.
Ask the employer, in writing, which occupation and code they plan to nominate. If it differs from yours, ask why before you go further.

If you are a welder in Cebu, a cook in Davao or an electrician in Pampanga, the same steps apply. The name on your Philippine certificate and the name on the Australian list may not match, which is normal.

Why the ANZSCO version matters

Home Affairs uses the 2022 version of ANZSCO for the occupations on the Core Skills Occupation List and the 2013 version for the MLTSSL, STSOL and ROL. A code you copied from a forum or an old PDF can belong to the wrong version, so always take the code from the official list on the day you check, and write down the date.

What the 482 Core Skills stream needs from the occupation

In the Core Skills stream, the worker must be nominated for an occupation on the CSOL and paid the Annual Market Salary Rate for that occupation, and no less than the Core Skills Income Threshold. That threshold is AUD79,423 for nominations lodged from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027. If a salary in an offer looks low, our guide on the 482 visa salary requirement shows what to ask.

The Specialist Skills stream works differently: the worker must be nominated in an ANZSCO occupation in Major Groups 1, 2, 4, 5 or 6, and the salary must meet the Specialist Skills Income Threshold. Most trades and many service jobs are not in those major groups, so check which stream the employer means.

Applicants also need at least 1 year of relevant work experience in the nominated occupation or a related field, gained within the last 5 years. Part-time or casual work must add up to at least 12 months full-time, so keep your payslips, contracts and a clear record of dates.

The assessing authority column: do not skip it

A skills assessing authority checks that your skills meet the standard it sets for the occupation, and Home Affairs only accepts an assessment from the relevant authority. The list tells you who that is, and each authority has its own procedures, timeframes and charges.

Some primary 482 applicants must have a mandatory skills assessment, by Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) or VETASSESS depending on the occupation. It must be started before the visa application is lodged, or the application is not valid. For a skills assessment on a trade, read the TRA Migration Skills Assessment program page before you collect documents. TRA does not award Australian qualifications, registrations or licences, so an assessment is not a licence to work in a regulated trade.

For the full process of finding your authority and which English score counts, see our post on skills assessment in Australia for Filipinos. If you want help understanding how your Philippine qualification and experience compare, RPLDirect explains qualification pathways for overseas workers.

How Filipino workers can read job ads against the list

When you see a sponsored role, compare the ad with the list before you apply. For example, today's ads on PinoyAbroad include a Head Chef role in Brisbane and a Fitter / Turner and Welder role in Christchurch, New Zealand. The first step with either is the same: find the matching occupation, note the code and ask the employer what they will nominate.

You can also browse our manufacturing jobs to see how real ads describe duties, which helps you match your own experience to an occupation. If you are building a CV for this, Build AI CV can help you write your duties in clear English that lines up with the occupation you choose.

Recruiters also read this list from their side. One Australian recruitment site explains how recruiters read the occupation shortage list, which is a useful second view.

New Zealand has its own lists

The Australian list does not apply to New Zealand. There, the Green List shows roles New Zealand needs workers for: Tier 1 roles lead to a Straight to Residence Visa and Tier 2 roles to a Work to Residence Visa after 2 years of working in New Zealand. See the Immigration New Zealand Green List page.

From 9 March 2026, Immigration New Zealand also recognises 47 additional skill level 1 to 3 occupations under the National Occupation List for AEWV applications, including chef roles split by skill and seniority. Our AEWV guide for Filipino workers covers the visa; always check the current occupation on the official New Zealand pages.

Common mistakes Filipino applicants make with the occupation list

Searching only for the Philippine job title. Australian lists use ANZSCO names, so match duties instead.
Using an old code. The 2022 and 2013 ANZSCO versions are both in use, so copy the code from the official list.
Assuming "sponsorship" means the occupation is eligible. The employer must nominate a listed occupation.
Stretching your experience. Claiming duties you did not do can lead to a failed assessment, and it can cost you the job.
Paying an agent or "visa helper" for a list check. The list is free on the Home Affairs website, and applicants must not have asked for, offered, received or provided a benefit in return for visa sponsorship in the past 3 years.
Skipping the assessing authority column. If an assessment is mandatory and not started in time, the application is not valid.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Core Skills Occupation List the only list that matters for a Filipino worker?

No. The combined list of eligible skilled occupations also shows the MLTSSL, STSOL and ROL, and which one applies depends on the visa. For the Skills in Demand 482 visa Core Skills stream, the occupation must be on the CSOL, so start there and then read the rest of the row.

What if my job title in the Philippines is not on the list?

Job titles differ between countries, so do not search only for your own title. Read the duties of nearby ANZSCO occupations and see which one honestly matches what you did day to day. If none fits, that route may not suit your job, and it is better to learn that before you pay for anything.

Does a job ad that mentions visa sponsorship mean my occupation is on the list?

No. The employer must nominate you for a specific occupation, and for the Core Skills stream that occupation must be on the CSOL. Ask which occupation and which ANZSCO code the employer plans to nominate, then check that code yourself on the official list.

Which ANZSCO version should I use?

Home Affairs uses the 2022 version of ANZSCO for the Core Skills Occupation List and the 2013 version for the MLTSSL, STSOL and ROL. A code copied from an old website may belong to the wrong version, so take it from the official list on the day you check.

Do I always need a skills assessment once my occupation is on the list?

Not always. Some primary 482 applicants must have a mandatory assessment, by Trades Recognition Australia or VETASSESS depending on the occupation, and it must be started before the visa application is lodged. The list names the assessing authority, so read that column and then check that authority's own page.

Lists and rules change, so open the official pages above on the day you plan to apply and treat this guide as general information, not advice for your case.

Key takeaways

For the 482 Core Skills stream, the nominated occupation must be on the CSOL.
Match your duties, not your job title, to an ANZSCO occupation.
Take the code from the official combined list, and note which ANZSCO version applies.
Read the assessing authority column before you collect documents.
Ask the employer in writing which occupation they will nominate.

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