Australia’s Skilled Occupation List (CSOL) for the 482 Skills in Demand Visa has undergone significant changes, impacting employers and overseas workers. These updates reflect shifting demands in the Australian labor market and are crucial for understanding employer sponsorship and visa pathways. They were introduced together with several changes implemented to the Subclass 482 visa on 7 December 2024.
Below, we outline the occupations removed from the list and those that have been added, along with their implications. Please note that the CSOL only applies to the Core Skills Stream of the 482 Skills in Demand (SID) Visa. There are other 2 Streams to which the CSOL doesn’t apply:
- Labour Agreement Stream: when the sponsoring business enters into a special agreement with the government
- Specialist Skills Stream: for most occupations but when the salary package on offer is at least $135,000.00 a year
Occupations Removed from Australia’s Skilled Occupation List
The removal of these occupations has significant implications: employers can no longer sponsor International Workers in these occupations and workers who already hold a Subclass 482 Visa will encounter challenges if renewing their visas or changing employers.
Occupations Removed
- Cotton grower
- Fruit or nut grower
- Grain, oilseed or pasture grower (Aus)/field crop grower (NZ)
- Grape grower
- Mixed crop farmer
- Sugar cane grower
- Vegetable grower (Aus) / market gardener
- Crop farmers (nec)
- Beef cattle farmer
- Deer farmer
- Horse breeder
- Mixed livestock farmer
- Sheep farmer
- Livestock farmers (nec)
- Mixed crop and livestock farmer
- Public relations manager
- Manufacturer
- Production manager (mining)
- Childcare centre manager
- Welfare centre manager
- Health and welfare services managers (nec)
- Regional education manager
- Sports administrator
- Specialist managers (nec) except: (a) ambassador; or (b) archbishop; or (c) bishop
- Café or restaurant manager
- Caravan park and camping ground manager
- Post office manager
- Amusement centre manager
- Fitness centre manager
- Sports centre manager
- Customer service manager
- Conference and event organiser
- Transport company manager
- Facilities manager
- Financial institution branch manager
- Dancer or choreographer
- Musician (instrumental)
- Music professionals (nec)
- Photographer
- Book or script editor
- Director (film, television, radio or stage)
- Film and video editor
- Copywriter
- Newspaper or periodical editor
- Commodities trader
- Financial brokers (nec)
- Financial market dealer
- Stockbroking dealer
- Financial dealers (nec)
- Financial investment manager
- ICT trainer
- Gallery or museum curator
- Health information manager
- Records manager
- Economist
- Policy analyst
- Librarian
- Liaison officer
- Market research analyst
- Ship’s master
- Fashion designer
- Industrial designer
- Graphic designer
- Agricultural scientist
- Forester Conservation officer
- Environmental research scientist
- Biotechnologist
- Microbiologist
- Medical laboratory scientist 7
- Exercise physiologist
- Education adviser
- Art teacher (private tuition)
- Dance teacher (private tuition)
- Teacher of English to speakers of other languages
- Nutritionist Environmental health officer
- Health promotion officer
- Chiropractor
- Osteopath
- Acupuncturist
- Naturopath
- Nurse manager
- ICT security specialist
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- ICT support engineer
- Telecommunications engineer
- Careers counsellor
- Family and marriage counsellor
- Counsellors (nec)
- Interpreter
- Social professionals (nec)
- Community arts worker
- Welfare worker
- Agricultural technician
- Medical laboratory technician
- perating theatre technician
- Pathology collector
- Life science technician
- Safety inspector
- Radio communications technician
- Lift mechanic
- Animal attendants and trainers (nec)
- Florist
- Gardener (general)
- Dressmaker or tailor
- Cabinetmaker
- Jeweller
- Camera operator (film, television or video)
- Makeup artist
- Disabilities services officer
- Emergency service worker
- Driving instructor
- Funeral workers (nec)
- First aid trainer
- Gymnastics coach or instructor
- Horse riding coach or instructor
- Snowsport instructor
- Swimming coach or instructor
- Tennis coach
- Footballer
- Jockey Sportspersons (nec)
- Property manager
- Real estate representative
Occupations Added to the 482 Skilled Occupation List
On the other hand several occupations that were not part of the 482 visa program were included in the new CSOL. The inclusion of these occupations reflects the evolving skills demands in Australia, offering new opportunities for sponsorship under the 482 visa program.
It’s important to note that the CSOL now also applies to the Subclass 186 Permanent Employer Nomination Visa, under the Direct Entry Stream only, so these skilled workers below may be eligible to skip the 482 visa altogether and apply for a permanent employer visa directly.
Occupations Added
- Agricultural and Agritech Technician
- Agronomist
- Air Transport Professionals nec
- Animal Husbandry Technician
- Aquaculture or Fisheries Scientist
- Aquaculture or Fisheries Technician
- Beauty Therapist
- Boarding Kennel or Cattery Operator
- Building Associate
- Chemical Plant Operator
- Child Care Worker
- Clerk of Court
- Content Creator (Marketing)
- Conveyancer
- Cyber Governance Risk and Compliance Specialist
- Cyber Security Advice and Assessment Specialist
- Cyber Security Analyst
- Cyber Security Architect
- Cyber Security Engineer
- Cyber Security Operations Coordinator
- Data Analyst
- Data Scientist
- Dental Prosthetist
- Devops Engineer
- Diver
- Education Reviewer
- Electronic Engineering Technician
- Electroplater
- Engineering Patternmaker
- Entomologist
- Equipment Hire Manager
- Fire Protection Equipment Technician
- Fire Protection Plumber
- Fleet Manager
- Furniture Maker
- Graphic Pre-press Trades Worker
- Hospitality, Retail and Service Managers nec
- Hotel Service Manager
- Irrigation Designer
- Irrigation Technician
- Legal Secretary
- Licensed Club Manager
- Light Technician
- Metal Casting Trades Worker
- Office Manager
- Optical Dispenser \ Dispensing Optician
- Optical Mechanic
- Other Draftsperson
- Other Sports Coach or Instructor (Wushu Martial Arts Coach or Yoga Instructor)
- Out of School Hours Care Worker
- Penetration Tester
- Picture Framer
- Plastics Technician
- Primary Products Quality Assurance Officer
- Radio Journalist
- Regulatory Affairs Manager
- Respiratory Scientist
- Respiratory Technician
- Retail Manager (General)
- Sales Representative (Industrial Products)
- Sales Representative (Medical and Pharmaceutical Products)
- Screen Printer
- Ship’s Engineer
- Shoemaker
- Supply Chain Analyst
- Technicians and Trades Workers nec
- Telecommunications Cable Jointer
- Telecommunications Technician
- Textile, Clothing and Footwear Mechanic
- Tour Guide
- Travel Agency Manager
- Travel Consultant
- Tree Worker
Implications and Opportunities
Employer Sponsorship
For occupations removed from the list, employers must explore alternative visa pathways, such as the 186 Employer Nomination Scheme, or adjust recruitment strategies to fill skill shortages locally.
Current Employees
Existing visa holders in removed occupations may face difficulties with renewals or transitioning to permanent residency. Proactive action, including consultation with migration experts, is crucial.
New Opportunities
The addition of new occupations to the 482 list expands options for employers in industries like agriculture, technology, and healthcare. These occupations may also be eligible for permanent residency pathways under the 186 Direct Entry stream, offering long-term benefits to both employers and employees.
Conclusion
Understanding these changes is essential for strategic workforce planning. Employers should evaluate their workforce needs and consult migration experts to navigate these updates effectively. If you’re looking to sponsor overseas workers or need assistance with the new 482 visa changes, contact Bravo Migration for expert guidance.
