KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Duty statement with realistic task allocation
- Current CSOL entry and applicable caveats
- Reporting structure and team responsibilities
Describe the work before searching the list
Prepare a duty statement in ordinary language. Explain the main tasks, the technical decisions involved, the tools used and the level of supervision. Record the approximate balance between professional tasks, routine support and management.
Then compare the position with the relevant ANZSCO description and current visa occupation list. Home Affairs uses ANZSCO 2022 for the 482 and 186 programs. Other skilled visas may use a different version, so a code selected for a previous application should not be reused without checking.
Read caveats as part of eligibility
Some occupations carry restrictions relating to the nature of the tasks, the business or the position. A caveat is not a minor detail to deal with after lodgement. It may exclude a position even where its title and salary appear suitable.
Prepare the evidence needed to answer the actual restriction. For example, business records may matter where a caveat concerns business size, while work allocation may matter where routine tasks are excluded. Never change accurate duties simply to avoid a restriction.
Check the surrounding documents for consistency
Advertisements, the employment contract, organisational chart and applicant references should tell a coherent story. Differences are not always fatal, but unexplained differences create questions. A senior classification alongside an entry-level advertisement is a problem to resolve before submission.
As a hypothetical example, an accounts employee may do bookkeeping, payroll and data entry rather than the professional work of an accountant. The correct response is to assess the actual position and available pathways. Emigrate Lawyers can review the role and identify where the proposed code needs stronger support or a different approach.
YOUR NEXT STEP
Preparation checklist
- Duty statement with realistic task allocation
- Current CSOL entry and applicable caveats
- Reporting structure and team responsibilities
- Consistent advertisement, contract and references
Use this list to organise a discussion. It is not a complete application checklist or an eligibility assessment.
Common questions
Can I choose an occupation just because it is on the list?
No. The proposed position must genuinely fit the occupation and satisfy the applicable requirements.
Does a positive skills assessment prove the job fits?
It addresses the worker’s skills. The employer’s nominated position needs its own assessment.
YOUR CASE. OUR COMMITMENT.
The Emigrate Lawyers Difference
A visa application sits within a career, a business and a family’s plans. We connect the legal requirements with the evidence and decisions that matter to you.
Lawyer handled
Your case is overseen and handled by a lawyer, with a clear point of contact and advice tailored to the facts.
Fixed fee clarity
A fixed fee for the agreed scope, explained before engagement. Government charges and third-party expenses are identified separately.
No monthly administration fees
Transparent costs without monthly administration fees. Any additional work is scoped and agreed before it proceeds.
A plan you can follow
Understand what to prepare, who supplies it and what comes next. Where we assist both parties, representation and confidentiality are addressed at engagement.
From information to a clear next step
- Share your starting point. Tell us the role, current visa, employer arrangements and any deadline.
- Understand the assessment. We identify the appropriate service, evidence questions and scope of advice.
- Decide with clear costs. Review the engagement and fee proposal before legal work begins.
Sources and further reading
- Home Affairs: skilled occupation list
- Home Affairs: nominating a position
- Migration Regulations 1994: Parts 482 and 186, regulation 2.72 and Schedule 8 as relevant
Published 26 October 2026. Official guidance and legislation should be checked again before acting. Examples are hypothetical and photographs are illustrative. Information on this website is general information and does not constitute legal advice. Visa requirements and government charges can change. Obtain advice specific to your circumstances.
