As of 7 December 2024, the Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) Visa has been replaced by the new Skills in Demand (SID) Visa. The old occupation lists (MLTSSL, STSOL, ROL) have been consolidated into a single Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) .
However, if you lodged your TSS visa application before 7 December 2024 and your employer is located in a designated regional area, your application may still be assessed under the rules outlined on this page.
What was the Regional Occupation List (ROL)?
The Regional Occupation List (ROL) was specifically designed to address skill shortages in regional Australia. It included occupations that were not available on the national lists (MLTSSL/STSOL) but were in demand outside major metropolitan cities (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane).
Key Features of the Regional Stream (Pre-7 Dec 2024):
- Location Requirement: The position must be located in a designated regional area of Australia.
- Visa Duration: Granted for up to 4 years.
- PR Pathway: Eligible for permanent residency through the Subclass 191 (Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional)) visa or the Subclass 186 (Temporary Residence Transition) visa via concessions.
- Onshore Renewal: Unlimited (provided you continue to work in regional Australia).
- English Requirement: IELTS 5.0 (minimum 5.0 in each component) – same as Medium-Term stream.
- Assessing Authority: Many ROL occupations require a formal skills assessment from a specified authority.
Regional Occupation List (ROL) with Assessing Authorities
Below is the official list of occupations that were eligible for the Regional stream. Unlike the MLTSSL and STSOL, the ROL specifies a Column 3: Assessing Authority. If you applied under this stream, you were required to obtain a skills assessment from this body prior to visa lodgement (unless exempt).
| Item | Occupation | ANZSCO Code | Assessing Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | aquaculture farmer | 121111 | VETASSESS |
| 2 | cotton grower | 121211 | VETASSESS |
| 3 | fruit or nut grower | 121213 | VETASSESS |
| 4 | grain, oilseed or pasture grower (Aus)/field crop grower (NZ) | 121214 | VETASSESS |
| 5 | mixed crop farmer | 121216 | VETASSESS |
| 6 | sugar cane grower | 121217 | VETASSESS |
| 7 | crop farmers (nec) | 121299 | VETASSESS |
| 8 | beef cattle farmer | 121312 | VETASSESS |
| 9 | dairy cattle farmer | 121313 | VETASSESS |
| 10 | deer farmer | 121314 | VETASSESS |
| 11 | goat farmer | 121315 | VETASSESS |
| 12 | horse breeder | 121316 | VETASSESS |
| 13 | mixed livestock farmer | 121317 | VETASSESS |
| 14 | pig farmer | 121318 | VETASSESS |
| 15 | sheep farmer | 121322 | VETASSESS |
| 16 | livestock farmers (nec) | 121399 | VETASSESS |
| 17 | mixed crop and livestock farmer | 121411 | VETASSESS |
| 18 | public relations manager | 131114 | AIM |
| 19 | policy and planning manager | 132411 | VETASSESS |
| 20 | project builder | 133112 | VETASSESS |
| 21 | procurement manager | 133612 | AIM |
| 22 | medical administrator | 134211 | VETASSESS |
| 23 | regional education manager | 134412 | VETASSESS |
| 24 | sports administrator | 139915 | VETASSESS |
| 25 | caravan park and camping ground manager | 141211 | VETASSESS |
| 26 | post office manager | 142115 | VETASSESS |
| 27 | amusement centre manager | 149111 | VETASSESS |
| 28 | fitness centre manager | 149112 | VETASSESS |
| 29 | sports centre manager | 149113 | VETASSESS |
| 30 | cinema or theatre manager | 149912 | VETASSESS |
| 31 | financial institution branch manager | 149914 | VETASSESS |
| 32 | human resource adviser | 223111 | VETASSESS |
| 33 | workplace relations adviser | 223113 | VETASSESS |
| 34 | policy analyst | 224412 | VETASSESS |
| 35 | liaison officer | 224912 | VETASSESS |
| 36 | market research analyst | 225112 | VETASSESS |
| 37 | aeroplane pilot | 231111 | CASA |
| 38 | flying instructor | 231113 | VETASSESS |
| 39 | helicopter pilot | 231114 | CASA |
| 40 | ship’s master | 231213 | AMSA |
| 41 | multimedia designer | 232413 | VETASSESS |
| 42 | wine maker | 234213 | VETASSESS |
| 43 | conservation officer | 234311 | VETASSESS |
| 44 | exercise physiologist | 234915 | VETASSESS |
| 45 | vocational education teacher | 242211 | See subsection (2) |
| 46 | environmental health officer | 251311 | VETASSESS |
| 47 | dentist | 252312 | ADC |
| 48 | anaesthetist | 253211 | MedBA |
| 49 | intellectual property lawyer | 271214 | VETASSESS |
| 50 | translator | 272413 | NAATI |
| 51 | community arts worker | 272611 | VETASSESS |
| 52 | agricultural technician | 311111 | VETASSESS |
| 53 | operating theatre technician | 311214 | VETASSESS |
| 54 | pathology collector | 311216 | AIMS |
| 55 | construction estimator | 312114 | VETASSESS |
| 56 | surveying or spatial science technician | 312116 | VETASSESS |
| 57 | mechanical engineering draftsperson | 312511 | Engineers Australia |
| 58 | safety inspector | 312611 | VETASSESS |
| 59 | maintenance planner | 312911 | VETASSESS |
| 60 | building and engineering technicians (nec) | 312999 | (a) VETASSESS; or (b) Engineers Australia |
| 61 | vehicle painter | 324311 | TRA |
| 62 | floor finisher | 332111 | TRA |
| 63 | electrical linesworker | 342211 | TRA |
| 64 | zookeeper | 361114 | VETASSESS |
| 65 | nurseryperson | 362411 | TRA |
| 66 | gas or petroleum operator | 399212 | TRA |
| 67 | dental hygienist | 411211 | VETASSESS |
| 68 | dental therapist | 411214 | VETASSESS |
| 69 | emergency service worker | 441211 | VETASSESS |
| 70 | driving instructor | 451211 | VETASSESS |
| 71 | funeral workers (nec) | 451399 | VETASSESS |
| 72 | flight attendant | 451711 | VETASSESS |
| 73 | first aid trainer | 451815 | VETASSESS |
| 74 | jockey | 452413 | TRA |
| 75 | clinical coder | 599915 | VETASSESS |
| 76 | property manager | 612112 | VETASSESS |
| 77 | real estate representative | 612115 | VETASSESS |
What is “Designated Regional Area”?
To be eligible for the ROL stream, the position must be located in a designated regional area. This generally includes all of Australia except:
- Sydney
- Melbourne
- Brisbane
Postcodes for Regional Areas:
The Department of Home Affairs uses specific postcodes to define regional Australia. These are typically classified as:
- Regional Cities and Major Regional Centres (e.g., Perth, Gold Coast, Newcastle, Wollongong, Canberra) – may have slightly different concessions.
- Regional Centres and Other Regional Areas – offering access to additional occupations and longer visas.
(Note: Always check the current Department of Home Affairs postcode list, as definitions can change.)
Full Eligibility Criteria (Legacy TSS – Regional Stream)
If you applied under the ROL before 7 December 2024, you must meet the following requirements:
1. Employer Requirements
- The business must be actively and lawfully operating in a designated regional area of Australia.
- The sponsor must have no adverse information.
- Must meet standard sponsorship obligations.
2. Nominated Position Requirements
- Must be a genuine, full-time position located in a regional area.
- Salary must be at least $70,000 (or the pre-7 Dec threshold) AND meet the Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR) .
- Must be on the Regional Occupation List (ROL) above.
- Must have been advertised via Labour Market Testing (LMT) within the last 4 months.
3. Visa Applicant Requirements
- Skills Assessment: You must obtain a positive skills assessment from the Assessing Authority listed in Column 3 of the table above (unless exempt via specific pathways).
- Work Experience: At least 2 years of full-time experience in the nominated field (reduced to 1 year for applications from 23 November 2024).
- Licensing: Must meet any mandatory registration or licensing requirements.
- Health Insurance: Must have adequate arrangements for health insurance.
- English Proficiency (ROL): You must hold a valid passport from the UK, USA, Canada, NZ, or Ireland OR have an English test score within the last 3 years:
- IELTS: 5.0 in all components (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking).
- PTE: 36 in all components.
- TOEFL iBT: Overall 35 (min 4 listening, 4 reading, 14 writing, 14 speaking).
Pathway to Permanent Residency (Legacy)
The Regional stream offered excellent pathways to permanent residency, often with concessions.
Option 1: Subclass 191 (Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional))
- Requires you to have lived and worked in a regional area for at least 3 years on a TSS visa (or other eligible regional visa) and have complied with your visa conditions.
Option 2: Subclass 186 (Temporary Residence Transition)
- After working for your sponsoring employer for 2 years, you may be eligible for the 186 visa, provided you are nominated and meet age and English requirements.
Option 3: Subclass 187 (Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme) – (Legacy)
- Some older ROL nominations may still be linked to the 187 visa, though this has largely been replaced by the 494 and 191 schemes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What if my employer moves their business from a regional area to a city?
A: Your visa is tied to the location of the position at the time of nomination. If the business relocates permanently to a non-regional area, it may affect your ability to renew your visa or meet regional PR requirements. You should seek advice before agreeing to a permanent relocation.
Q: Do I need a skills assessment for every ROL occupation?
A: Yes. The ROL specifically requires a skills assessment from the listed authority (e.g., VETASSESS, TRA, Engineers Australia). Unlike some MLTSSL occupations which may waive the assessment for highly paid applicants, ROL assessments are generally mandatory.
Q: Can I apply for PR after 2 years on a ROL visa?
A: Yes, through the Subclass 186 TRT stream (2-year requirement) or the Subclass 191 (3-year regional requirement), depending on your situation and visa grant date.
Q: I am a Property Manager (612112) in a regional town. Am I eligible for PR?
A: Yes. Provided you have worked for your sponsoring employer for 2 years, have a positive skills assessment from VETASSESS, and meet the English requirements, you can transition to a Subclass 186 visa.
