Your occupation usually determines your migration pathway.

Not your preferred country.

Not your job title alone.

The first question is simple:

What is my occupation, and how is it classified?

Australia and New Zealand have separate immigration systems. They use different occupation lists, assessing bodies and visa categories. A job may support one pathway in Australia and a different pathway in New Zealand. It may also be eligible in one country but not the other.

Your duties, qualifications, registration, work history, employer and location all matter. Eligibility depends on your individual circumstances and is assessed case by case.

This hub helps you compare occupation-based pathways in Australia and New Zealand.

Why your occupation decides your pathway

Your occupation can affect four major parts of your application.

1. The occupation list

Australia and New Zealand use occupation lists and occupation-specific settings.

In Australia, the relevant list may affect skilled visas, state nomination, regional visas and employer sponsorship. These lists can change.

In New Zealand, the Green List may connect certain roles with Straight to Residence or Work to Residence pathways. Other occupations may be considered through the Skilled Migrant Category or an Accredited Employer Work Visa.

A role being listed today does not guarantee that it will remain listed. Check the current rules before relying on any pathway.

2. The assessing authority

Your nominated occupation determines which organisation assesses your qualifications and experience.

Examples include:

Trades Recognition Australia, or TRA, for many trades.
Australian Computer Society, or ACS, for many ICT occupations.
Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council, or ANMAC, for nursing and midwifery.
Engineers Australia for engineering occupations.
VETASSESS for many professional and general occupations.
Profession-specific bodies for teachers, social workers, accountants, pharmacists and others.

Your job title is not enough.

Two people may both use the title “manager”, “engineer” or “technician”. Their duties, qualifications and evidence may point to different ANZSCO occupations. That can mean a different assessing authority and a different visa strategy.

3. Employer sponsorship

Your occupation can affect whether an employer can sponsor you.

The role may need to appear on a relevant occupation list. Alternatively, it may need to be covered by a labour agreement, a Designated Area Migration Agreement or another employer-specific arrangement.

The employer must also satisfy its own requirements. A job advertisement that mentions sponsorship does not prove that the employer can nominate you.

4. Nomination or residence options

In Australia, your occupation may affect whether state or territory nomination is available. This includes South Australia skilled migration, an SA 190 nomination or an SA 491 pathway.

In New Zealand, your occupation may affect whether you can use the Green List, the Skilled Migrant Category or a sector-specific residence pathway.

A positive skills assessment does not guarantee nomination, sponsorship, residence or a visa grant.

Australia: how occupation drives the pathway

Australia’s skilled migration system uses occupation lists, skills assessments, points tests, state nomination and employer sponsorship.

The correct pathway depends on your nominated occupation and personal circumstances.

Skilled occupation lists

The Department of Home Affairs maintains occupation settings for different visa programs.

The relevant list can affect whether you may consider:

Subclass 189, Skilled Independent.
Subclass 190, Skilled Nominated.
Subclass 491, Skilled Work Regional.
Subclass 494, Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional.
Subclass 482, Skills in Demand.
Subclass 186, Employer Nomination Scheme.
A labour agreement or DAMA pathway.

Lists and legislative instruments can change. Always check the current Australian skilled occupation list for the visa you are considering.

Skills assessment

For points-tested visas, a positive assessment from the correct authority is generally a key entry requirement.

The authority checks whether your qualifications and work experience match the nominated occupation. It may review:

Qualification certificates.
Academic transcripts.
Course content.
Employment references.
Your actual duties.
Registration and licensing.
Evidence of paid employment.

Common authorities include:

TRA: trades and technical occupations.
ACS: ICT, data and cyber security occupations.
ANMAC: nursing and midwifery occupations.
Engineers Australia: professional engineering occupations.
VETASSESS: many professional, general and selected trade occupations.
AITSL: many school teaching occupations.
AASW: social work occupations.
CPA Australia, CA ANZ and IPA: relevant accounting occupations.

This is not a complete list. Confirm the authority against your exact occupation and visa pathway.

Read our guide to skills assessment in Australia.

A skills assessment is also separate from professional licensing.

For example:

A nurse may need an ANMAC assessment and Ahpra registration.
An electrician may need a TRA assessment and a state or territory electrical licence.
A plumber may need trade recognition and separate licensing.
A teacher may need migration assessment and registration to teach.

Australian visa routes

Occupation-based pathways may include:

Subclass 189: points-tested skilled migration without state nomination.
Subclass 190: state or territory nominated permanent visa.
Subclass 491: provisional regional visa supported by state or territory nomination or eligible family sponsorship.
Subclass 494: employer-sponsored regional visa.
Subclass 482: temporary employer-sponsored Skills in Demand visa.
Subclass 186: employer nomination pathway that may lead to permanent residence.
DAMA and labour agreement pathways: employer-driven options where the occupation and employer are covered by the relevant agreement.

South Australia may have its own nomination settings and occupation requirements. Check the current South Australian migration authority before relying on a State Nomination Occupation List, SA 190 nomination or SA 491 pathway.

The subclass 491 visa is also called the skilled work regional visa 491. It is not the same as the subclass 190 visa. Each has separate requirements.

New Zealand: how occupation drives the pathway

New Zealand uses different systems from Australia.

New Zealand occupation settings, registration rules and employer requirements must be checked through Immigration New Zealand.

Green List pathways

The Green List includes selected roles with defined requirements.

Depending on the role, the pathway may be:

Straight to Residence: commonly linked to eligible Tier 1 roles.
Work to Residence: commonly linked to eligible Tier 2 roles after the required period of skilled work.

Being on the Green List is not automatic approval.

You may still need to meet requirements for:

The exact role.
Qualifications.
Occupational registration.
Work experience.
Pay and employment conditions.
Employer accreditation.
Health and character.

Some professions also require New Zealand registration before you can work in the role.

Check the current Green List roles and requirements.

Skilled Migrant Category

The Skilled Migrant Category is a points-based residence pathway.

The current framework uses a six-point system. Points may come from factors such as:

New Zealand occupational registration.
Qualifications.
Skilled employment.
Income.

The occupation itself may affect how your qualifications, registration, employment and income are assessed.

The Skilled Migrant Category is separate from the Green List. An occupation does not always need to be on the Green List for the Skilled Migrant Category to be relevant. You must still meet the current rules.

Review the current Skilled Migrant Category guidance.

Accredited Employer Work Visa

The Accredited Employer Work Visa, or AEWV, is a major temporary work route.

The employer-side process normally comes first:

The employer obtains accreditation.
The employer completes the Job Check.
The worker applies for the AEWV.

The job must meet the applicable requirements. These may include conditions about the role, pay, hours, advertising and employment agreement.

For some lower-skilled roles, engagement with Work and Income may form part of the Job Check process.

Care and support work is not automatically Green List work. A care role may instead connect with an AEWV and a care-sector Work to Residence pathway, subject to the exact occupation and current requirements.

Read our comparison of care-sector migration pathways in Australia and New Zealand.

Occupations we assist with

Not sure which pathway your occupation opens?

Occupations that look similar on paper can lead to completely different visa routes. Before you commit to a skills assessment, a course or a job offer, have your occupation and options checked.

Book a consultation with Skillage Nimbus

Call the 24/7 direct line on +61 8 9131 6011.

Australia or New Zealand? How to choose

Do not choose the country first.

Compare the occupation and evidence first.

Consider:

Whether your qualification is recognised in Australia, New Zealand or both.
Whether professional registration transfers between countries.
Whether your occupation appears on the relevant list in one country or both.
Whether you need employer sponsorship.
Whether your employer is eligible and willing to sponsor.
Your family circumstances.
Your financial position.
Your preferred location.
Your long-term residence goals.
The current rules and evidence requirements.

Australian registration does not automatically allow you to work in New Zealand. New Zealand registration does not automatically allow you to work in Australia.

Skillage Nimbus holds both an Australian Registered Migration Agent credential and a New Zealand Licensed Immigration Adviser credential. We can compare both systems in one consultation.

Book a consultation before accepting an offer, changing countries or lodging an application.

Occupation-specific guides

We are adding more occupation pages to this hub.

Start with:

These pages provide more detail about assessment, registration, licensing and visa planning.

Related Skillage Nimbus services

You may also find these services useful:

How Skillage Nimbus helps

We can help you:

Identify the occupation that best reflects your duties.
Confirm the likely assessing authority.
Compare Australian and New Zealand pathways.
Review qualifications, work history and registration.
Check points and eligibility factors.
Consider state or territory nomination.
Assess employer sponsorship options.
Review labour agreement and DAMA possibilities.
Prepare and lodge applications.
Manage documents and government correspondence.
Manage the case from assessment through to decision.

No migration outcome is guaranteed.

The purpose of an assessment is to identify a realistic pathway, explain the risks and give you a practical next step.

Our credentials

Australian Registered Migration Agent, MARN 2217972.
New Zealand Licensed Immigration Adviser, IAA 202503676.
Founder Ashish Thapa, legal name Asi Thapa, admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of South Australia.
QEAC, CCG and ITAC certifications.
Employment Agent Licence issued by the Government of South Australia.
Member of Business Australia and Migration Alliance.
Core values: Honesty, Reliability and Accuracy.

If you are searching for a migration agent Adelaide, migration agent Australia or immigration lawyer Adelaide, check the adviser’s credentials before sharing documents or paying for services.

Adelaide office

Suite 11, Floor 2
12 Pirie Street
Adelaide SA 5000

Strictly by appointment only.

Office hours:

Monday to Friday: 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM.
Saturday: 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Sunday: Closed.

Call the 24/7 direct line on +61 8 9131 6011.

Emergency appointment support may be available within one hour, subject to availability.

Learn More

Not sure which country or occupation pathway fits?

Book a consultation with Skillage Nimbus

Or call the 24/7 direct line on +61 8 9131 6011.

We can compare your Australian and New Zealand options before you commit to a skills assessment, job offer or visa application.

General information disclaimer

This page provides general information only. It is not migration advice, legal advice or a guarantee of eligibility, nomination, sponsorship, residence or visa approval.

Occupation lists, visa criteria, skills assessment rules, registration requirements, state and territory nomination settings, Green List settings, employer requirements and government policies can change.

Verify the current position directly with:

The Australian Department of Home Affairs.
Immigration New Zealand.
The relevant Australian state or territory authority, such as migration.sa.gov.au.
The relevant Australian or New Zealand assessing authority.
The relevant professional registration body.

Do not rely on this summary instead of checking the official requirements for your case.

Frequently asked questions

Does my occupation determine which visa I can apply for?

It can significantly affect your options.

Your occupation may determine whether you can use a points-tested visa, state nomination, employer sponsorship, a regional pathway, a Green List pathway or the Skilled Migrant Category.

Your duties, qualifications, work history, registration, employer and location must also be assessed.

How do I find out which assessing authority applies to me?

Start by identifying the occupation that best matches your actual duties.

Then check the current occupation list and the assessing authority shown for the relevant visa pathway. Review that authority’s qualification, employment and evidence requirements before lodging.

Job title alone is not enough.

Is my occupation eligible in both Australia and New Zealand?

Possibly, but the systems are separate.

Australia and New Zealand use different lists, classifications, assessing bodies, registration systems and visa rules. An occupation may be eligible in both countries, one country or neither country under a particular pathway.

Do I need a skills assessment for employer sponsorship?

Not always.

The requirement depends on the visa, occupation, stream, applicant and current rules. Some employer-sponsored applications require an assessment. Others may rely on registration, licensing, previous visa history or an exemption.

Check the current visa and occupation requirements before applying.

What is the difference between the Australian and New Zealand points systems?

Australia generally uses a points test for visas such as subclass 189, subclass 190 and subclass 491. Points may relate to age, English, qualifications, skilled employment and nomination.

New Zealand’s Skilled Migrant Category currently uses a six-point framework based on factors such as qualifications, registration, skilled employment and income.

The systems are not interchangeable. A points score in Australia does not transfer to New Zealand.

Can I work in New Zealand because I am registered in Australia?

Not automatically.

You may need to apply for New Zealand registration or meet a separate recognition process. This is especially important for regulated professions such as nursing, teaching, engineering and certain trades.

Check the relevant New Zealand registration authority before accepting employment.

What if my occupation is not on any list?

You may still have options.

Consider whether:

An employer-sponsored pathway is available.
A labour agreement or DAMA covers the role.
The occupation can be classified differently based on your actual duties.
The Skilled Migrant Category may apply in New Zealand.
Further qualification or registration could change your options.
A different visa category may be more appropriate.

Do not select an occupation only because it appears more favourable. The nominated occupation must be supported by your evidence.