Migrate to Australia by Profession
Choose your profession to see realistic pathways, skills assessment requirements, and PR routes.
Healthcare & Medical
- Short-term List Sponsor-dominant
Aged Care Worker
Median salary: A$55,000/yr
Extreme demand driven by ageing population; one of Australia's fastest-growing occupations.
- Priority List Mixed pathways
Dentist
Median salary: A$150,000/yr
Demand concentrated in regional areas; metro market competitive but regional shortage persists.
- Short-term List Sponsor-dominant
Enrolled Nurse
Median salary: A$72,000/yr
No 189 (STSOL); employer/regional main path. Differs from RN.
- Priority List Sponsor-dominant
General Practitioner (GP)
Median salary: A$200,000/yr
AMC/registration is the real gate, not the visa.
- Priority List Skilled-dominant
Midwife
Median salary: A$92,000/yr
Structural shortage, especially regional maternity.
- Priority List Mixed pathways
Pharmacist
Median salary: A$90,000/yr
Ongoing shortage especially in community pharmacy and rural locations; expanded scope of practice increasing demand.
- Priority List Mixed pathways
Physiotherapist
Median salary: A$85,000/yr
Strong demand in aged care, NDIS disability services, and sports rehabilitation sectors.
- Priority List Skilled-dominant
Psychologist
Median salary: A$95,000/yr
Critical shortage exacerbated by rising mental health awareness and Medicare-funded psychology sessions.
- Priority List Mixed pathways
Registered Nurse
Median salary: A$82,000/yr
Persistent nationwide shortage, especially in aged care, mental health, and rural/regional areas.
- Priority List Sponsor-dominant
Specialist Doctor
Median salary: A$300,000/yr
Specialist college comparability assessment is decisive.
IT & Technology
- Priority List Skilled-dominant
Cyber Security Specialist
Median salary: A$130,000/yr
Structural cyber shortage; strong sponsorship demand.
- Short-term List Sponsor-dominant
Data Scientist
Median salary: A$140,000/yr
CSOL/employer-only (224115); not on GSM lists — proxy 261313/224113 for points-tested. (SOL field shows STSOL as closest = no 189.)
- Short-term List Sponsor-dominant
DevOps / Cloud Engineer
Median salary: A$140,000/yr
CSOL/employer-only (261316); not on GSM lists — proxy 261313/263111 for points-tested. (SOL field shows STSOL as closest = no 189.)
- Priority List Skilled-dominant
ICT Business Analyst
Median salary: A$115,000/yr
IT high-demand; 189 points-competitive.
- Short-term List Sponsor-dominant
ICT Project Manager
Median salary: A$135,000/yr
No 189 (STSOL); 190/491 + employer routes.
- Priority List Mixed pathways
Software Engineer
Median salary: A$120,000/yr
Sustained high demand across all sectors; Australia's digital transformation driving continuous growth.
Engineering
- Priority List Skilled-dominant
Chemical Engineer
Median salary: A$120,000/yr
Resources/energy/manufacturing demand.
- Priority List Mixed pathways
Civil Engineer
Median salary: A$100,000/yr
Infrastructure boom across Australia — road, rail, and renewable energy projects driving sustained demand.
- Priority List Skilled-dominant
Electrical Engineer
Median salary: A$115,000/yr
Energy transition & grid demand; regional advantage.
- Priority List Mixed pathways
Mechanical Engineer
Median salary: A$100,000/yr
Demand from manufacturing, defence, and renewable energy sectors; strong in mining-heavy states.
- Priority List Skilled-dominant
Mining Engineer
Median salary: A$145,000/yr
Resource-state demand; mine sites = regional advantage.
- Priority List Skilled-dominant
Petroleum Engineer
Median salary: A$150,000/yr
Oil & gas states; demand tracks the resource cycle.
- Priority List Skilled-dominant
Telecommunications Engineer
Median salary: A$120,000/yr
Code splits by visa: 263311 points-tested, 263312 employer.
Trades & Hospitality
- Priority List Mixed pathways
Carpenter
Median salary: A$75,000/yr
Housing construction pipeline creating strong demand; shortage acute in regional areas.
- Priority List Sponsor-dominant
Chef
Median salary: A$65,000/yr
Hospitality industry facing chronic staff shortages post-COVID; chefs in demand across all states.
- Short-term List Sponsor-dominant
Cook
Median salary: A$68,000/yr
No 189; employer/regional. CSOL excludes fast-food/mass-production.
- Priority List Mixed pathways
Electrician
Median salary: A$85,000/yr
Severe shortage driven by housing construction, solar installations, and EV charging infrastructure.
- Priority List Mixed pathways
Motor Mechanic
Median salary: A$75,000/yr
On MLTSSL; employer/state main path in practice.
- Priority List Mixed pathways
Plumber
Median salary: A$80,000/yr
Housing boom and ageing workforce creating sustained demand; state licensing adds complexity.
- Priority List Mixed pathways
Welder
Median salary: A$90,000/yr
Welder (First Class) 322313 — not 322311 (Metal Fabricator).
Construction & Built Environment
- Priority List Skilled-dominant
Architect
Median salary: A$95,000/yr
Demand driven by housing supply targets and sustainable design requirements; registration process lengthy.
- Priority List Mixed pathways
Bricklayer
Median salary: A$80,000/yr
On MLTSSL but trade 189 invites are rare; employer/state main.
- Priority List Skilled-dominant
Construction Project Manager
Median salary: A$130,000/yr
Construction demand; VETASSESS Group A.
- Priority List Skilled-dominant
Quantity Surveyor
Median salary: A$110,000/yr
Assessed by AIQS (not Engineers Australia).
Education & Teaching
- Priority List Mixed pathways
Early Childhood Teacher
Median salary: A$72,000/yr
Severe shortage with government universal childcare expansion creating massive workforce gaps.
- Priority List Skilled-dominant
Primary School Teacher
Median salary: A$90,000/yr
AITSL: Academic IELTS only (no PTE), L8/R7/W7/S8.
- Priority List Skilled-dominant
Secondary School Teacher
Median salary: A$90,000/yr
Acute shortage in maths, science, technology, and languages; regional areas most affected.
- Priority List Skilled-dominant
Special Needs Teacher
Median salary: A$90,000/yr
Shortage occupation; AITSL Academic IELTS only.
Business & Finance
- Priority List Skilled-dominant
Accountant
Median salary: A$80,000/yr
One of the most popular skilled migration occupations; highly competitive with very high points thresholds.
- Priority List Skilled-dominant
External Auditor
Median salary: A$100,000/yr
High-competition points category; audit core knowledge required.
- Short-term List Sponsor-dominant
Financial Investment Manager
Median salary: A$130,000/yr
No 189 (STSOL); Sydney/Melbourne concentrated.
Other & Niche
- Priority List Skilled-dominant
Agricultural Scientist
Median salary: A$90,000/yr
MLTSSL but no employer route (not on CSOL). Differs from 234111 Consultant.
- Short-term List Sponsor-dominant
Geologist
Median salary: A$120,000/yr
No 189 (STSOL); assessed by VETASSESS (not AIG).
- Priority List Skilled-dominant
Veterinarian
Median salary: A$90,000/yr
AVBC assessment; NVE only for non-recognised degrees.
Social & Creative
Counsellor
Median salary: A$85,000/yr
Sub-code dependent; none have 189; 3 of 6 have employer route.
View pathways →Social Worker
Median salary: A$80,000/yr
NDIS, child protection, and mental health services creating sustained demand; regional areas most affected.
View pathways →