Australia has announced its Skilled Occupation List (SOL) 2025, which highlights 456 in-demand professions across technology, healthcare, engineering, construction, trade services, and agriculture. For skilled workers looking to migrate, this list is a vital roadmap as it outlines eligible occupations across different pathways leading to permanent residency or regional opportunities. With Australia facing ongoing skill shortages, this year’s list continues to create opportunities for workers in essential, core, and specialist roles.
What is the Skilled Occupation List 2025
The Skilled Occupation List is an official register of jobs experiencing a shortage in the Australian labor market. It plays a key role in the migration program as those whose careers appear on the list may apply for skilled visas, provided other eligibility requirements are met.
For 2025, the SOL is divided into three primary pathways based on demand levels and salary expectations:
- Essential Skills Pathway – Covers critical workers in essential services, such as aged care, electricians, and carpenters. These roles often have salaries below AUD 70,000.
- Core Skills Pathway – Designed for professionals with strong experience who are in demand across the country, such as civil engineers and project managers. Salaries for this pathway range between AUD 70,000 and AUD 135,000.
- Specialist Skills Pathway – For highly skilled experts in fast-growing sectors like AI and cybersecurity. Salaries start at AUD 135,000 and go well beyond.
This clear framework ensures that workers at all levels, from trade services to advanced technology roles, can access opportunities in Australia.
Categories of Occupation Lists in 2025
Apart from these pathways, the Skilled Occupation List aligns with key visa programs and includes four different lists:
- Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL): 456 occupations in demand nationally across IT, healthcare, engineering, and construction.
- Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL): 212 occupations relevant to Australia’s long-term needs. Eligible for permanent visas like Subclass 189, 190, and 491.
- Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL): 215 jobs addressing immediate shortages. Often linked with employer-sponsored visas but have limited permanent residency options.
- Regional Occupation List (ROL): 77 roles that apply specifically to regional Australia, often with better PR chances due to extra incentives to settle outside major cities.
Together, these lists create multiple pathways for skilled professionals to migrate under skilled visas.
In-Demand Professions in 2025
The Skilled Occupation List features a wide range of industries, many of which are facing long-term shortages. Some of the most sought-after roles include:
Healthcare and Medical
- Registered Nurses: AUD 70,000 to 200,000+
- Aged Care Workers: AUD 70,000 to 200,000+
- Specialist Doctors and Surgeons: AUD 150,000 to 250,000+
Technology and Digital Sector
- Software Engineers: AUD 85,000 to 180,000
- Cybersecurity Analysts: AUD 85,000 to 180,000
- AI Specialists: AUD 85,000 to 200,000 in some cases
Engineering and Construction
- Civil Engineers: AUD 75,000 to 150,000
- Project Managers: AUD 75,000 to 150,000
- Licensed Electricians: AUD 70,000 to 120,000
Additionally, trades like carpenters, joiners, and plumbers, as well as ICT support engineers, are also part of the core skills demand, showing that not only advanced degrees but also hands-on technical skills open pathways for migration.
Visa Pathways Linked to SOL
Every profession on the Skilled Occupation List connects with potential visa options under Australia’s immigration framework. Some of the most common pathways include:
- Subclass 189 Skilled Independent Visa: Offers direct permanent residency without employer or state sponsorship. Applicants must meet point requirements based on age, experience, and English.
- Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated Visa: Requires sponsorship by an Australian state or territory. Offers direct permanent residency with obligations to live in the sponsoring state initially.
- Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional Visa: A provisional visa for regional areas, valid for 5 years with a pathway to permanent residency after specific work and residency requirements are met.
Eligibility Criteria for Applicants
To be successful in applying for a visa through the Skilled Occupation List, candidates must fulfill several requirements:
- Age Limit: Generally under 45 at the time of application.
- English Proficiency: IELTS, PTE or other approved tests are required with minimum scores depending on the visa type.
- Skills Assessment: Each occupation requires assessment through an authorized skills body to verify qualifications and experience.
- Points Test: Applicants are scored on factors such as qualifications, work experience, English level, and age, with 65 points being the minimum.
Why Skilled Occupation List 2025 is Important
Australia’s economy continues to rely heavily on a mix of domestic workforce growth and skilled migration. With industries like AI, healthcare, and construction expanding, the growing demand for global talent ensures that migrants still play a central role in filling gaps.
For migrants, being on the Skilled Occupation List offers stability as it provides a direct roadmap to visas, future residency, and often citizenship. For the government, it ensures essential services and industries remain adequately staffed.
Key Updates for Skilled Applicants
The list undergoes quarterly reviews by the Department of Home Affairs to ensure it mirrors current workforce needs. As shortages shift, jobs may be added or removed. Migrants planning to apply in 2025 should frequently review updates on the official immigration website to confirm their occupation remains eligible.
Final Thoughts
The Australia Skilled Occupation List 2025 highlights 456 professions offering diverse opportunities across trades, healthcare, engineering, and high-tech industries. With demand continuing across essential, core, and specialist pathways, it provides clear migration routes for workers of different skill levels, from nurses to AI experts.
Those considering migration should check which pathway their occupation belongs to, ensure eligibility under the points system, and prepare required documents early to avoid application delays. With Australia’s ongoing demand for talent, this year’s Skilled Occupation List remains one of the most important tools for skilled aspirants seeking a future down under.