Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) 2026: 456 Occupations Explained
Australia's CSOL lists 456 occupations for employer-sponsored visas in 2026. Minimum salary AUD 73,150. Check if your job qualifies and which PR pathway fits.
You've been researching Australian work visas, and every second page mentions "CSOL" like you're supposed to know what it means. Or worse, you're confusing it with the old MLTSSL list and wondering if your job is still eligible. Let's fix that right now.
💡 TL;DR: The Quick Version
- The Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) has 456 occupations and applies to the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482, Core Skills Pathway) and the 186 Direct Entry permanent visa
- It launched December 7, 2024 and replaced the old occupation lists for those specific visa types only
- MLTSSL and STSOL still exist for other visas (189, 190, 491), so don't panic if your job isn't on CSOL
- Your employer must pay you at least AUD 73,150 (rising to AUD 76,515 from July 1, 2025) to sponsor you under the Core Skills Pathway
- If you earn AUD 135,000+ (rising to AUD 141,210 from July 2025), you might qualify under the Specialist Skills Pathway instead, which doesn't even need CSOL
What Exactly Is CSOL and Why Should You Care?
The Core Skills Occupation List is Australia's filtered list of 456 jobs that employers can use to sponsor overseas workers. Think of it as Australia saying: "These are the roles we actually need filled right now."
Every occupation on CSOL comes from the broader ANZSCO (Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations) system. Jobs and Skills Australia reviews labour market data, employer demand, and workforce gaps to decide which ANZSCO codes make the cut.
Here's the part that trips people up. CSOL only matters for two visa pathways:
- Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482), Core Skills Pathway, which is the main temporary employer-sponsored work visa
- 186 Direct Entry stream, which is the employer-nominated permanent residence visa
If you're looking at a 189, 190, or 491 visa, those still use the MLTSSL, STSOL, and ROL lists. Different visas, different lists. Don't mix them up.
How Is CSOL Different from MLTSSL and STSOL?
This is the biggest source of confusion in Australian immigration right now, so let's be crystal clear.
CSOL does not replace MLTSSL or STSOL. They coexist for different purposes.
| List | Used For | Number of Occupations |
|---|---|---|
| CSOL | 482 Core Skills Pathway, 186 Direct Entry | 456 |
| MLTSSL | 189, 190, 491, 482 (legacy) | ~212 |
| STSOL | 482 (legacy short-term), 190, 491 | ~200+ |
| ROL | 491 (regional) | Varies by state |
What this means for you:
If your occupation is on CSOL but not on MLTSSL, you can get employer-sponsored through the 482 Core Skills Pathway and potentially transition to PR through 186 Direct Entry or the 186 TRT pathway (after 2 years on a 482). But you can't apply for a 189 independent skilled visa with a CSOL-only occupation.
If your occupation is on MLTSSL but not on CSOL, you can still apply for 189/190/491 visas. You just can't use the new 482 Core Skills Pathway.
Some occupations appear on multiple lists. Software Engineers, Registered Nurses, and Accountants, for example, are on pretty much everything.
What Occupations Are on the CSOL?
The 456 occupations span a wide range. Here are the major categories and some examples:
Healthcare:
Registered Nurses, General Practitioners, Physiotherapists, Pharmacists, Medical Laboratory Scientists, Occupational Therapists, Midwives, and Aged Care Workers
Information Technology:
Software Engineers, Developer Programmers, ICT Business Analysts, Database Administrators, Systems Administrators, ICT Security Specialists, and Multimedia Specialists
Engineering:
Civil Engineers, Mechanical Engineers, Electrical Engineers, Mining Engineers, Chemical Engineers, and Structural Engineers
Trades and Construction:
Electricians, Plumbers, Carpenters, Welders, Diesel Motor Mechanics, Bricklayers, and Painting Trades Workers
Education:
Secondary School Teachers, Early Childhood Teachers, Special Needs Teachers, and University Lecturers
Business and Finance:
Accountants, Auditors, Management Consultants, and Financial Brokers
Hospitality:
Chefs (not cooks, there's a difference in ANZSCO), Cafe and Restaurant Managers, and Hotel/Motel Managers
Agriculture:
Agricultural Scientists, Farm Managers, and Agricultural Technicians
You can check the full list as a PDF on the Department of Home Affairs website. Search by your ANZSCO code if you know it, or browse by category.
What Are the Salary Thresholds?
This is where people get tripped up. There are two separate income thresholds depending on which pathway you're using.
Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT):
- AUD 73,150 per year (July 2024 to June 2025)
- AUD 76,515 per year (from July 1, 2025)
This is the minimum your employer must pay you under the 482 Core Skills Pathway. It gets adjusted annually with CPI.
Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT):
- AUD 135,000 per year (from July 2024)
- AUD 141,210 per year (from July 1, 2025)
Here's the interesting bit. If your salary hits the Specialist Skills threshold, you don't even need to be on CSOL. The Specialist Skills Pathway of the 482 visa is open to almost any occupation as long as the salary is high enough. Processing is also faster, with government targets of around 7 business days compared to 21 days for Core Skills.
So if you're a well-paid professional earning above AUD 135,000, the CSOL might not matter to you at all. Your employer can sponsor you under the Specialist Skills Pathway regardless of whether your job is on the list.
Do I Need a Skills Assessment?
It depends on which visa you're applying for.
For the 482 Core Skills Pathway:
A skills assessment is required where the occupation's designated assessing authority mandates it. Not every CSOL occupation requires one for this visa, but many do. Check your specific ANZSCO code against the assessing authority requirements.
For 186 Direct Entry:
A skills assessment is almost always mandatory. This is the permanent visa route, and Home Affairs wants proof you actually have the qualifications you claim.
For 186 TRT (Temporary Residence Transition):
You generally don't need a new skills assessment if you already had one for your 482 visa. The TRT pathway relies on your work experience rather than reassessing your qualifications.
Common assessing authorities you'll deal with:
| Authority | Covers | Typical Fee | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACS (Australian Computer Society) | IT occupations | AUD 500-600 | 6-8 weeks |
| VETASSESS | 350+ occupations across many industries | AUD 630-1,000+ | 8-12 weeks |
| Engineers Australia | Engineering roles | AUD 680-1,100 | 6-12 weeks |
| AHPRA | Health practitioners | Varies | Varies |
| TRA (Trades Recognition Australia) | Trades | AUD 300-500+ | 8-12 weeks |
Start your skills assessment early. Processing times can stretch, and a negative result means you'll need time to appeal or gather additional evidence.
Can CSOL Occupations Lead to Permanent Residency?
Yes, and there are two main routes.
Route 1: 186 Direct Entry
If your occupation is on CSOL, you can apply for the 186 Direct Entry visa directly. No need to hold a temporary visa first. You'll need a skills assessment, Competent English (IELTS 6.0 or equivalent in each band), and an employer willing to nominate you. Processing currently takes around 13-14 months for 50% of applicants.
Route 2: 482 to 186 TRT
Get a 482 Core Skills Pathway visa first, work for your sponsoring employer for 2 years, then transition to the 186 TRT stream. This pathway doesn't require a separate skills assessment at the PR stage, and processing is typically faster (7-8 months for 50% of applicants).
One important detail since November 29, 2025: the 2-year work requirement for TRT must be with an "approved work sponsor." Time spent working for a non-sponsoring employer, even while holding a valid visa, no longer counts toward your 2 years.
Route 3: If your occupation is also on MLTSSL
Some CSOL occupations overlap with MLTSSL. If yours does, you also have the 189 (independent) and 190/491 (state-nominated) pathways available. That gives you more options, though these require points-test scores and invitation rounds.
How Often Does CSOL Get Updated?
There's no fixed annual update cycle. Jobs and Skills Australia reviews the list based on labour market data, and changes can happen at various points during the year. The initial list launched December 7, 2024 with 456 occupations.
In practice, you should check the current list before starting any application. An occupation being on CSOL today doesn't guarantee it'll still be there in six months if labour market conditions change.
The Jobs and Skills Australia website publishes key findings reports when updates occur. Bookmark it.
5 Common Mistakes People Make with CSOL
- Confusing CSOL with MLTSSL. They're different lists for different visas. Just because your job isn't on CSOL doesn't mean you can't migrate to Australia. Check MLTSSL for the 189/190/491 pathways.
- Ignoring the salary threshold. Being on CSOL isn't enough. Your employer must also pay at least AUD 73,150 (AUD 76,515 from July 2025) for the Core Skills Pathway. If the offered salary falls short, the visa gets refused.
- Not checking the Specialist Skills alternative. If you earn above AUD 135,000, you might not need CSOL at all. The Specialist Skills Pathway has fewer occupation restrictions and faster processing.
- Assuming CSOL alone means PR. CSOL gets you on the 482 and 186 Direct Entry pathways. But PR through TRT requires 2 years of sponsored employment with an approved sponsor. Plan the full journey, not just the first step.
- Starting the skills assessment too late. Processing can take 6-12 weeks, and a negative outcome adds months. Begin your assessment before your employer even lodges the nomination.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CSOL the same as the old SOL?
No. The Skilled Occupation List (SOL) was replaced years ago by MLTSSL and STSOL. CSOL is a newer, separate list created in December 2024 specifically for the 482 Core Skills Pathway and 186 Direct Entry. They serve different visa types.
Can my employer sponsor me if my job isn't on CSOL?
Possibly. If your salary exceeds AUD 135,000 (AUD 141,210 from July 2025), your employer can use the Specialist Skills Pathway, which doesn't require a CSOL listing. Labour Agreements also provide an alternative route for some occupations.
How do I check if my occupation is on CSOL?
Visit the Home Affairs occupation list tool and search by your job title or ANZSCO code. The tool shows which lists each occupation appears on, so you can see if it's CSOL, MLTSSL, or both.
Do I need to be in Australia to apply for a CSOL-linked visa?
For the 482 Core Skills Pathway, you can apply from outside Australia. For 186 Direct Entry, you can also apply from offshore. You don't need to already be in the country, though many applicants do apply while onshore.
What ANZSCO skill levels are on CSOL?
Most CSOL occupations are Skill Levels 1-3 (bachelor degree, diploma/advanced diploma, or trade certificate). Some Skill Level 4 roles are included where there's genuine demand. Level 1 is the highest (requires a bachelor degree or higher), and Level 5 is the lowest. CSOL skews heavily toward skilled and highly skilled roles.
Will CSOL occupations change in 2026?
Likely yes, though the timing is unpredictable. Jobs and Skills Australia reviews the list based on labour data, and occupations can be added or removed. Always verify your occupation's status right before lodging your application.
The Bottom Line: What Should You Do Right Now?
- Check if your occupation is on CSOL at the Home Affairs occupation list page. Search by ANZSCO code for the most accurate results.
- Confirm the salary threshold. Make sure your employer's offer meets at least AUD 73,150 (AUD 76,515 from July 2025). If it's above AUD 135,000, look into the Specialist Skills Pathway instead.
- Start your skills assessment now if you're targeting the 186 Direct Entry or need one for the 482. Find your assessing authority and get the paperwork moving. This step alone takes 6-12 weeks.
- Map your full pathway. Decide whether you're going for 482 then TRT, or 186 Direct Entry, or even a points-based visa if your occupation is also on MLTSSL. Each route has different timelines, costs, and requirements.
- Bookmark and recheck. CSOL can change. Don't rely on information from three months ago. Verify everything against the official Home Affairs list before you lodge.
The CSOL opened up employer-sponsored migration for 456 occupations. If your job is on the list and your employer is willing to sponsor, you've got a clear pathway. The key is getting your skills assessment, salary, and paperwork aligned before anything else.