The Department of Home Affairs updated the Core Skills Occupation List on 1 May 2026, adding 14 occupations across health, construction trades, and engineering. The changes take immediate effect for new applications.
What changed
The Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) replaced the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List in December 2024 and is reviewed periodically by Jobs and Skills Australia. The 1 May 2026 update adds 14 occupations and removes none. The additions reflect documented labour shortages in:
Health and care (6 occupations)
- Aged care residential nurse
- Mental health social worker
- Paediatric occupational therapist
- Sonographer
- Specialist diagnostic radiographer
- Allied health assistant (Cert IV qualified)
Construction trades (5 occupations)
- Roof tiler
- Stonemason
- Structural steel and welding tradesperson (heavy fabrication)
- Wall and floor tiler
- Glazier (architectural)
Engineering (3 occupations)
- Geotechnical engineer
- Materials engineer
- Renewable energy engineer
Visa pathways affected
The additions affect three main visa subclasses:
- Subclass 482 (Skills in Demand) — employer-sponsored, 2 to 4 year visa
- Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme) — permanent residency via employer sponsorship
- Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent) — points-tested permanent residency for the highest scoring applicants in invitation rounds
Applicants in the newly added occupations who hold offshore Expressions of Interest in SkillSelect should review their submissions to ensure occupation, ANZSCO code, and skills assessment authority are current.
Processing time outlook
Average processing times as published by the Department at May 2026:
- 482 (Core Skills) primary applicants: 50% in 28 days, 90% in 4 months
- 186 Direct Entry: 50% in 8 months, 90% in 17 months
- 189 invitation rounds: occurring monthly with points thresholds varying by occupation
Processing-time data is indicative only and individual matters vary. Skills assessments through the relevant assessing authority remain a prerequisite and add 6 to 16 weeks.
What to do if you’re potentially eligible
- Confirm your occupation matches the ANZSCO code on the published CSOL
- Identify the relevant skills assessing authority (e.g. VETASSESS, ANMAC, Engineers Australia)
- Gather work-experience documentation: pay slips, employer references, position descriptions
- Speak to a registered migration agent or migration lawyer before making formal submissions
Sources & primary references
- Department of Home Affairs, Core Skills Occupation List, current edition.
- Jobs and Skills Australia, 2026 Core Skills List Review — Final Report.
- Migration Regulations 1994 (Cth), subclass criteria.
- Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA).
