Top 10 Shortage Occupation Lists in Australia [2025–2026 Guide]

Meta Description: Confused by Australia’s skilled occupation lists? This definitive 2025–2026 guide explains the Shortage Skilled Occupation List (SSOL), the Skilled Occupation List (SOL), and the PMSOL, and shows you how to find your pathway to PR.

Slug: shortage-occupation-list-australia-guide

TL;DR: Australia uses several skilled occupation lists for migration, but the key one for most applicants is the combined Skilled Occupation List (SOL), which includes the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) and the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL). To find if your job is in demand, you must check the specific list for your target visa (e.g., 189, 190, 491) and your nominating state. Tools like NovenAI’s Visa Success Predictor instantly analyse your profile against all official lists and state criteria to show your best visa options.

Navigating Australia’s skilled migration system can feel like learning a new language, with acronyms like MLTSSL, STSOL, and PMSOL thrown around. You’ve likely heard about “shortage lists” and wonder if your profession is on one. The truth is, Australia doesn’t have a single “shortage occupation list.” Instead, it uses a series of official lists that signal where skilled workers are needed, and your eligibility for a permanent residency visa hinges on your occupation being on the correct list for your chosen pathway. This guide cuts through the confusion, explaining the top 10 lists and strategies you need to know for the 2025–2026 period.

What is the Australian Shortage Skilled Occupation List (SSOL)?

The Shortage Skilled Occupation List (SSOL) is an outdated term; the current system uses the Skilled Occupation List (SOL), which is split into the MLTSSL and STSOL. The SSOL was historically used for the former 457 visa but was replaced when the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa (subclass 482) was introduced. Today, the core lists are managed by the Department of Home Affairs and are critical for both permanent and temporary skilled migration.

According to the Department of Home Affairs’ official Skilled Visa page, the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) is the master list that determines occupation eligibility. It’s subdivided into:

• Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL): Occupations identified as having long-term skill needs across Australia. Being on this list generally makes you eligible for more permanent visa subclasses, including the independent 189 visa.
• Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL): Occupations with short-term skill needs. Occupations on this list are typically eligible for state-nominated and temporary visas.

Key facts about the current lists:

• They are updated regularly, typically annually, based on labour market analysis.
• Your occupation must be on the relevant list for the specific visa you are applying for.
• Simply being on a list does not guarantee an invitation; you must also meet points, English, and skills assessment requirements.

What is the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL)?

The Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL) was a temporary list created during the COVID-19 pandemic to fast-track critical occupations, but it is no longer in active use. It was officially retired in 2023. The PMSOL served to prioritise visa processing for roles crucial to the pandemic recovery, such as certain medical, engineering, and IT professions.

While it’s important to know this list existed, you should not rely on it for current planning. Focus instead on the active MLTSSL and STSOL. For the most up-to-date information on skilled occupation lists and processing priorities, always refer to the Department of Home Affairs website.

How Do I Find the Skilled Occupation List for My Visa?

You find the correct Skilled Occupation List by first choosing your target visa, as each visa subclass has its own applicable list. This is a fundamental step that many applicants miss. You don’t just search for your job title; you check which list it’s on for the visa you want.

For example:

• For the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189): Your occupation must be on the MLTSSL.
• For the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190): Your occupation must be on either the MLTSSL or the STSOL, but you must also check your nominating state or territory’s specific list, as they often have their own in-demand occupations.
• For the Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491): Your occupation must be on a combined list that includes the MLTSSL, STSOL, or a Regional Occupation List (ROL). State and territory regional lists are crucial here.

The best practice is to use the official Home Affairs skilled occupation list search tool{:target=“_blank”}. For a faster, more intuitive analysis that cross-references your profile with all state lists, NovenAI’s Visa Success Predictor provides a clear, personalised pathway report in seconds, saving you hours of manual research.

What are the Most In-Demand Jobs in Australia for 2025?

The most in-demand jobs in Australia for 2025 span healthcare, technology, engineering, and trades, with many featuring on the MLTSSL. While the official lists contain hundreds of occupations, certain sectors consistently show strong demand due to structural needs in the economy.

Based on current government data and labour market forecasts, high-demand sectors include:

• Healthcare: Registered Nurses, Medical Practitioners, Psychologists.
• Information Technology: Software Engineers, ICT Security Specialists, Developers.
• Engineering: Civil Engineers, Electrical Engineers, Mining Engineers.
• Skilled Trades: Electricians, Plumbers, Carpenters.
• Education: Secondary School Teachers, Special Education Teachers.

To see exactly where your occupation stands, you need to check its ANZSCO code against the lists. A tool like NovenAI’s platform, powered by a continuously updated 18 GB+ knowledge base of Home Affairs and ANZSCO data, can give you a real-time view of demand and associated visa options.

What is the Difference Between the MLTSSL and STSOL?

The key difference is that the MLTSSL is for long-term strategic skills, offering pathways to permanent residency, while the STSOL is for short-term needs, often leading to temporary or state-sponsored visas. Your placement on one list versus the other significantly impacts your migration strategy.

Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL):

• Occupations deemed critical for Australia’s long-term economic future.
• Eligible for the permanent Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189).
• Eligible for all points-tested skilled visas (189, 190, 491).
• Often allows for a longer duration on temporary visas.

Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL):

• Occupations addressing immediate skill shortages.
• Not eligible for the subclass 189 visa.
• Eligible for state nomination (190, 491) and the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa (subclass 482).
• May have caveats or specific conditions attached.

How Do States Use Their Own Skilled Occupation Lists?

States and territories create their own skilled occupation lists to target specific shortages in their local economies, and these lists are essential for the 190 and 491 visas. A state’s list can be more restrictive or expansive than the federal lists. They may also have “caveats,” which are extra rules about experience, job offers, or where you can work.

For instance, an occupation on the federal STSOL might be in high demand in South Australia but closed in Victoria. This is why checking the official website of your target state’s migration program is non-negotiable. According to the skilled migration page for a state like New South Wales{:target=“_blank”}, they regularly update their “skilled occupation lists” for both the 190 and 491 visas based on their economic planning.

What is the Regional Occupation List (ROL)?

The Regional Occupation List (ROL) is an additional list of occupations eligible for certain regional visas, designed to spread the benefits of migration across Australia. It contains occupations that are in demand specifically in regional areas, which are defined as anywhere outside of major cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.

Key points about the ROL:

• It is used primarily for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491).
• Occupations on the ROL are not eligible for the subclass 189 or 190 visas unless they also appear on the MLTSSL or STSOL.
• Many occupations on the ROL are skilled trades and agricultural professions.
• Always cross-check with the specific regional area’s requirements, as they may have additional criteria.

How Often Are the Skilled Occupation Lists Updated?

The core Skilled Occupation Lists (MLTSSL, STSOL, ROL) are typically reviewed and updated annually, but states can update their own lists at any time. The federal government’s review process considers advice from independent bodies like Jobs and Skills Australia. However, states can—and do—open and close occupations for nomination with little warning based on quota fills or shifting priorities.

This fluidity is a major pain point for applicants. Relying on static information can derail your plans. This is where a service with instant policy alerts, like NovenAI, provides a critical advantage, notifying you of changes to lists or criteria that directly affect your occupation and target region, so you can adapt your strategy immediately.

Does Being on a Shortage List Guarantee a Visa?

No, being on a skilled occupation list is a mandatory first step, but it does not guarantee you will receive a visa invitation. It is a permission to apply, not a promise of success. After confirming your occupation is on the correct list, you must then:

1. Obtain a positive skills assessment from the designated assessing authority for your occupation.
2. Achieve the required English language score (e.g., Competent English). Unsure what you need? Our English Level Guide breaks down the requirements for each visa.
3. Score enough points on the points test (usually a minimum of 65, but competitive scores are often much higher). Calculate your precise score with our free EOI Points Calculator.
4. Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) and be invited to apply by the Department (for 189/190/491 visas) or secure a nomination from a state or employer.

The process is highly competitive. For example, while Software Engineer is on the MLTSSL, the invitation points score can fluctuate dramatically each round. A comprehensive platform like NovenAI doesn’t just tell you if you’re on a list; its AI mentor analyses your full profile—points, skills assessment, English, and experience—against live data to predict your likelihood of success and recommend actionable steps to improve it.

What Should I Do If My Occupation is Not on a List?

If your occupation is not on any relevant skilled occupation list, your direct pathway to skilled migration is currently closed, but alternative options may exist. Don’t lose hope. You need to pivot your strategy.

Consider these alternatives:

• Re-evaluate your occupation: Could your skills and experience be matched to a similar ANZSCO code that is on a list? A migration professional can advise on this.
• Explore employer sponsorship: The Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa (subclass 482) has its own occupation lists which are broader. Securing a job offer from an Australian employer could be a pathway.
• Investigate the Global Talent visa: If you have an exceptional record in a future-focused sector like tech or fintech, this independent pathway may be an option.
• Consider studying in Australia: Completing a relevant qualification in Australia can make you eligible for post-study work rights and may lead to an occupation on the lists.
• Wait for the next update: Lists change. Monitor them regularly or use a service that alerts you to changes.

For personalised guidance on alternative pathways, consulting with a registered migration agent is always recommended. For initial exploration and to understand all possible options based on your unique background, an AI migration mentor can provide 24/7 strategic insights at a fraction of the cost of traditional legal consultations.

Understanding Australia’s skilled occupation lists is the cornerstone of a successful migration plan. Remember, it’s not about finding one “shortage list,” but about precisely aligning your occupation with the correct list for your chosen visa and nominating state. The system is dynamic, but with the right tools and information, you can navigate it confidently. Start by verifying your occupation’s status, then build a strong profile with competitive points and a solid skills assessment.

Ready to cut through the complexity and see your clearest pathway to Australia? Let NovenAI’s real-time tools and AI mentor analyse your profile against all official lists and criteria, giving you a personalised, actionable migration plan. Begin your journey at NovenAI.com.