Moving to a new country for career opportunities can be both thrilling and daunting. If Australia is your destination of choice, understanding the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) is essential. ANZSCO codes are a critical system within Australia’s skilled migration program, establishing the standards for skills and work experience required for specific occupations.

The Importance of ANZSCO Codes for Australian Migration

This article delves into the significance of ANZSCO listings and how they can be a valuable resource for individuals planning to move to Australia. We will explore the role of ANZSCO codes in visa applications, the importance of skills assessments, and how these listings help candidates identify job opportunities and understand the expectations of their occupation in Australia.

Furthermore, we will provide a step-by-step guide on finding your ANZSCO code and determining if your occupation is in demand, utilising resources such as the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) and the Skills Priority List (SPL). Armed with this knowledge, you can navigate the immigration process with confidence and increase your chances of a successful transition to Australia.

What are ANZSCO Codes?

ANZSCO stands for Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations. It’s a system within the skilled migration program that sets the standards for the skills and work experience that visa applicants must meet to work in a specific occupation in Australia or New Zealand.

The Australian government uses ANZSCO codes to identify occupations that are in demand and eligible for migration visas. Applicants need to choose the correct ANZSCO code that matches their occupation and qualifications and then apply for a skills assessment by the relevant assessing authority.

The Role of ANZSCO Codes in Visa Applications

ANZSCO codes are also used to determine the points score for some visa categories, such as the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) and the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190). Applicants need to score at least 65 points on the points test to be invited to apply for these visas.

Comparing Your Experience with ANZSCO Codes

Understanding and evaluating the details outlined in the ANZSCO code is crucial when assessing your eligibility for a particular occupation. While it may seem intuitive to assume that having experience in a related field automatically qualifies you for a specific occupation, the ANZSCO code provides specific criteria that must be met.

An Example of ANZSCO Code Evaluation

For example, let’s consider the occupation of a childcare worker. While having personal experience caring for your own children can be valuable, it does not necessarily meet the qualifications required to work as a professional childcare worker according to the ANZSCO code. The code may specify specific educational qualifications, certifications, or work experience requirements that need to be fulfilled. It is essential to carefully review the ANZSCO description for the occupation of interest to determine if your skills, qualifications, and experience align with the specified criteria.

By thoroughly comparing your background and the details outlined in the ANZSCO code, you can accurately assess whether you meet the necessary qualifications. If gaps exist between your experience and the ANZSCO requirements, you may need to acquire additional education, training, or certifications to bridge those gaps.

How Many ANZSCO Codes Are There?

As of the time of writing, over 1,000 ANZSCO codes classify occupations in Australia and New Zealand. The ANZSCO codes are grouped into eight major groups, 43 sub-major groups, 97 minor groups, and 358-unit groups. Each unit group contains one or more occupations that have a four-digit code.

The ANZSCO system includes various occupations and assigns a unique code to each one. There are different ANZSCO codes for different occupations, such as accountants, engineers, nurses, teachers, etc.

How ANZSCO Codes Help in Your Migration Journey

Each ANZSCO code describes the tasks and duties, skill level, qualification requirements, and alternative titles for that occupation. This might be useful for someone considering a move to Australia because it can help them to:

• Find out if their occupation is eligible for a skilled migration visa and which visa category they can apply for.
• Prepare for a skills assessment by the relevant assessing authority and provide evidence of their skills and qualifications.
• Search for job opportunities and employers in Australia that match their occupation and skill level.
• Understand the Australian labour market and the expectations and requirements of their occupation in Australia.

Finding Your ANZSCO Code

It’s worth noting that ANZSCO codes may be subject to updates and revisions over time as industries evolve and new occupations emerge.

For the most up-to-date and comprehensive list of ANZSCO codes, it is recommended to refer to the official Australian Bureau of Statistics website.

Here is a step-by-step guide to finding if your skills match the ANZSCO code for your occupation.

1. Go to the Australian Bureau of Statistics website and search for your occupation in the ANZSCO search box.
2. Find the ANZSCO code that best matches your occupation title and click on it to see the description of the tasks and duties, skill level, qualification requirements, and alternative titles for that occupation.
3. Compare the occupation description with your skills and qualifications and see if they match.
4. If you are unsure if your skills and qualifications match the ANZSCO code, you can contact the relevant assessing authority for your occupation and ask for advice. You can find the list of assessing authorities on the Home Affairs website.
5. If you are confident that your skills and qualifications match the ANZSCO code, you can proceed to apply for a skills assessment by the relevant assessing authority.

Is Your Occupation in Demand in Australia?

Once you have identified your ANZSCO code based on your skills and experience, you can then use this to confirm if your occupation is currently in demand in Australia.

You can determine if your occupation is in demand in Australia by checking the skilled occupation list (SOL). The SOL summarises the occupations that Australia needs to fill skill shortages. The Department of Home Affairs uses it to determine eligibility for some visa categories, such as the 482 Sponsored Visa you will see advertised on our website.

Some examples of occupations that are in high demand in Australia are registered nurses, software and applications programmers, aged and disabled carers, construction managers, child carers, motor mechanics, retail managers, chefs, ICT business and systems analysts, metal fitters and machinists.

You can search for your occupation on the SOL on the Home Affairs website.

ANZSCO Code FAQ

As we get closer to the end of our article, here are ten common questions and their answers related to ANZSCO codes and the process of migrating to Australia for work:

What’s your ANZSCO code?

We encourage you to explore the ANZSCO system and discover the ANZSCO code corresponding to your occupation. Share your occupation and ANZSCO code in the comments section below, and let us know how this information has helped you in your journey towards a new career in Australia.

We look forward to hearing about your occupation and supporting you in your journey!

Conclusion

Moving to a new country is a big step, and understanding the migration requirements is crucial to your success. The ANZSCO codes system provides an effective way to match your skills and qualifications to the demands of the Australian job market.

By understanding your ANZSCO code, you can better assess your eligibility for different skilled migration visa categories, prepare for skills assessments, and find suitable job opportunities. Additionally, knowing whether your occupation is in demand can help you to strategize your migration journey more effectively.

Remember, the Australian immigration process can be complex and changes can occur frequently. Therefore, it is advisable to stay updated by regularly checking official resources or consulting with migration experts to ensure you are on the right track.

Ready to take the next step in your career journey? Explore our website to find suitable job opportunities and realise your Australian migration dreams. Begin your search here!