Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) explained (2026)

The Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) is the Australian government's list of occupations eligible for employer-sponsored skilled migration under the Skills in Demand (SID) Visa (Subclass 482). It replaced the old Short-Term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) and the employer-sponsored portions of the Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) when the 482 visa was restructured. If your occupation appears on the CSOL, an approved sponsor can nominate you for the Core Skills stream of the 482 visa.

What is the Core Skills Occupation List?

The CSOL is a schedule of ANZSCO-coded occupations — ANZSCO (Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations) is the government's occupation coding system — that the Department of Home Affairs (the Department) has determined represent genuine skill shortages in Australia. Each occupation on the list is tied to a specific ANZSCO code and, in most cases, a minimum annual earnings threshold that must be met by the sponsoring employer.

Before the 482 restructure, employer-sponsored migration was governed by two separate lists:

• MLTSSL — occupations deemed long-term strategic priorities, carrying a longer stay period and a pathway to permanent residence via the subclass 186 visa.
• STSOL — occupations considered shorter-term needs, with a more limited stay and no direct pathway to permanent residence in most cases.

The CSOL consolidates the employer-sponsored function of both lists into a single document. For a broader look at how MLTSSL and STSOL fit into Australia's overall occupation list framework, see MLTSSL, STSOL, ROL: the three skilled occupation lists explained (2026).

How does the CSOL work in practice?

When an employer wants to sponsor an overseas worker under the 482 visa's Core Skills stream, the nominated occupation must appear on the CSOL. The process works like this:

1. Employer becomes an approved sponsor. The business applies to the Department to become a standard business sponsor.
2. Employer nominates an occupation. The nominated role must match an ANZSCO code on the CSOL.
3. Worker meets the skills and salary requirements. The applicant must hold the required qualifications or experience for that ANZSCO unit, pass a relevant skills assessment (where required), and the employer must pay at or above the applicable earnings threshold.
4. Visa is granted. If approved, the worker can live and work in Australia in that nominated occupation for the duration of the visa.

The earnings threshold is an important feature of the CSOL. Unlike the old STSOL, which separated occupations by tenure and permanency potential, the CSOL uses salary floors as a proxy for skill level. Occupations that attract higher salaries — and therefore sit above certain thresholds — can open access to longer stays and transition pathways.

You can track which occupations are attracting the most nominations and see current occupation rankings at Migrant Hub's occupation rankings dashboard.

Skills assessment requirements

Not every occupation on the CSOL requires a formal skills assessment — it depends on the specific ANZSCO unit and the applicant's circumstances. For some technical and trade occupations, a skills assessment from a designated assessing authority is mandatory. For others, the employer's attestation and evidence of relevant experience may be sufficient. Check the Department of Home Affairs guidance for your specific ANZSCO code.

The difference between CSOL and MLTSSL for points-tested visas

It is worth being clear about scope: the CSOL applies specifically to employer-sponsored pathways, primarily the 482 visa. It does not govern points-tested independent visas like the subclass 189, 190, or 491. Those visas still reference the MLTSSL (for the 189) or state and territory occupation lists (for the 190 and 491). If you are pursuing an independent skilled visa, the MLTSSL remains the relevant list — the CSOL is not your reference point.

For context on how invitation rounds and points cutoffs work for the 189, 190, and 491, see the April 2026 SkillSelect Invitation Round: EOI Cutoffs and Occupation Movements.

Who does the CSOL affect?

The CSOL primarily affects three groups:

Workers seeking employer-sponsored migration. If you need a sponsor to come to or stay in Australia, the CSOL determines whether your occupation qualifies for the 482 Core Skills stream. If your occupation is not on the list, you would need to explore other streams or visa types.

Employers sponsoring overseas workers. Businesses must match the role they want to fill to a CSOL occupation. If the role does not fit a listed ANZSCO code, the sponsorship nomination will be refused.

Applicants considering the subclass 186 pathway. The subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa is a common permanent residence option for sponsored workers. Eligibility for the 186 via the Temporary Residence Transition stream generally requires a period of working in Australia in a sponsored role. The CSOL shapes which roles can lead to that pathway.

Edge cases worth knowing

• Occupation not on CSOL but in demand. Some niche roles may not be individually listed but could be captured under a broader ANZSCO unit group. Checking at the unit level (six-digit ANZSCO code) rather than the major group level is important.
• Occupation removed from the list. The Department reviews and updates the CSOL periodically. If your occupation is removed after you have already been granted a visa, your current visa is not automatically cancelled — but your ability to extend or transition may be affected.
• Regional roles. The 482 visa also has a Labour Agreement stream that can apply to regional and industry-specific situations outside the standard CSOL. If your occupation is not on the CSOL, a labour agreement may be an alternative — though these require negotiation between the employer and the Department.

For ANZSCO classification generally — including how to identify your correct unit group code — see What is ANZSCO and why does it matter for your Australian visa? (2026).

If your situation involves a combination of factors — for example, an occupation at the boundary of two ANZSCO unit groups, or a role in a sector with a labour agreement — consider speaking to a MARA-registered agent for your specific circumstances.

Common questions

What visas does the CSOL apply to?

The CSOL primarily governs the Core Skills stream of the Skills in Demand (SID) Visa (Subclass 482) and, by extension, the subclass 186 ENS visa via the Temporary Residence Transition stream. It does not apply to points-tested independent visas (189, 190, 491), which use separate occupation lists.

How is the CSOL different from the MLTSSL?

The MLTSSL is used for points-tested independent skilled visas and sets out long-term strategic occupations. The CSOL is specific to employer-sponsored migration and consolidates what used to be split across the MLTSSL and STSOL for that pathway. An occupation can appear on both lists, but they serve different visa frameworks.

How often is the CSOL updated?

The Department of Home Affairs reviews the CSOL periodically and updates it based on labour market conditions, industry consultation, and migration policy priorities. There is no fixed annual schedule — changes can occur at any time. Always check the current version on the Department of Home Affairs website before lodging a nomination or application.

Does my occupation need to be on the CSOL for the subclass 186 visa?

For the Temporary Residence Transition stream of the 186, the nominated occupation must generally have been the same occupation you held during your qualifying period on the 482 visa — and that 482 occupation would have needed to be on the CSOL at the time of nomination. For the Direct Entry stream, different occupation list rules apply. See the Department of Home Affairs page for current 186 eligibility requirements.

What if my occupation is not on the CSOL?

If your occupation is not listed, the standard Core Skills stream of the 482 visa is not available. Options may include other 482 streams (such as the Specialist Skills stream for high-earning roles or the Labour Agreement stream), alternative visa pathways, or exploring whether a related ANZSCO unit group that is listed better describes your role. Consider speaking to a MARA-registered agent to assess your options.

Where to go next

See how your occupation ranks across current employer-sponsored nomination volumes and explore which roles are seeing the most activity at the Migrant Hub occupation rankings dashboard.