STSOL vs MLTSSL: Can I Apply for the 190 Visa on the Short-Term Skilled Occupation List?

If your occupation is on the Short-Term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL), you can apply for the Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated Visa, but you cannot apply for the Subclass 189 Skilled Independent Visa. That single restriction is the most consequential difference between STSOL and MLTSSL for anyone planning permanent residency in Australia, and understanding it correctly can save you months of misdirected preparation.

The Medium and Long Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) unlocks five General Skilled Migration pathways, including the highly competitive 189, which requires no sponsorship from a state, territory, or employer. The STSOL limits you to visa subclasses that all involve some form of external nomination state or territory sponsorship for the 190, regional nomination for the 491, or employer sponsorship for the 186 and 482. That is a narrower set of options, but it is far from a dead end.

What Is the Difference Between STSOL and MLTSSL in Australia?

The STSOL and MLTSSL are two separate Australian skilled occupation lists that control which General Skilled Migration visas you can apply for. MLTSSL occupations carry broader visa access and higher processing priority; STSOL occupations are limited to pathways that require state, regional, or employer nomination. The table below captures the sharpest points of difference.

Short-Term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL): What It Means in Practice

• The STSOL classifies occupations where Australia has identified a skill shortage that is expected to be temporary or cyclical, rather than a sustained long-term need.
• You cannot lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) for the Subclass 189 Skilled Independent Visa — this pathway is reserved exclusively for MLTSSL occupation holders.
• Your Subclass 190 eligibility is contingent on the state or territory you apply through, having your ANZSCO code on their current occupation list, which changes with each nomination round.
• Under the Subclass 482 Skills in Demand Visa, STSOL occupations access the short-term stream, capped at 2 years, compared to the 4-year medium-term stream available to MLTSSL holders.
• STSOL does not mean your occupation is low value; many STSOL occupations attract consistent state invitations and strong nomination rounds each program year.
• A complete, searchable reference for all occupation list classifications is available in the Australian skilled occupation lists guide.

Medium and Long Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) The Expanded Pathway Set

• MLTSSL occupations are identified as having sustained, long-term demand across Australia, qualifying them for all major General Skilled Migration visa streams, including the independent 189.
• You can submit a Subclass 189 EOI directly through SkillSelect and receive an invitation from the Department of Home Affairs without needing any state or employer involvement.
• MLTSSL applicants typically receive higher processing priority across both independent and nominated streams, which can reduce overall wait times.
• Under the Subclass 482, MLTSSL holders access the medium-term stream, a 4-year visa that creates a clearer pathway to the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme.
• Holding an MLTSSL occupation does not guarantee an invitation; you still need a competitive points score and a current, positive skills assessment from your assessing authority.
• For a dedicated breakdown of MLTSSL occupations and their 189 eligibility status, see the MLTSSL Occupation List guide.

Can I Apply for the 190 Visa If My Occupation Is on the STSOL?

Yes, the Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated Visa is fully accessible to STSOL occupation holders, provided your specific ANZSCO code appears on the nominating state or territory’s current occupation list, and you satisfy both the federal Department of Home Affairs requirements and the state’s individual nomination criteria. The 190 is a permanent visa from the date it is granted, making it one of the fastest routes to permanent residency available to STSOL applicants.

Federal Requirements for STSOL Applicants Applying for the 190 Visa

• Minimum points threshold: 65 points on the Australian points test. In practice, most state-nominated 190 invitations go to applicants scoring 80 to 90, or above 65 points; it is the floor, not the target.
• Skills assessment: A positive outcome from the assessing authority relevant to your ANZSCO occupation. The guide to skills assessment authorities lists which body assesses each occupation.
• English language: Competent English is the minimum; higher scores generate additional points. Full details in the English language requirements for skilled migration guide.
• Age: Under 45 years of age at the time of invitation. Points are also awarded on a sliding scale from age 25 to 32 (maximum 30 points), down to ages 33–44.
• State occupation list: Your STSOL occupation must appear on the specific state or territory’s current nomination list. This is a separate requirement from the federal list, which states that they maintain their own criteria and update them each round.
• State-specific obligations: Many states require evidence of local work experience, a job offer in the state, or demonstrated ties to the state before they will nominate you. See 190 visa state and Home Affairs requirements.

Which States Nominate STSOL Occupations for the 190 Visa in 2026?

• Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, the ACT, and the Northern Territory each publish separate occupation lists and nomination criteria updated multiple times per program year.
• The same STSOL occupation may be open in one state and closed in another within the identical nomination round. Checking one state’s list is not sufficient.
• Some states operate Registrations of Interest (ROI) or Expression of Interest systems before issuing formal invitations, understanding the difference between EOI and ROI matters before you apply.
• For a state-by-state analysis of which jurisdictions currently offer the most accessible pathways, the guide on which state is easiest for PR in Australia covers 2026 conditions in detail.
• State visa allocation caps determine how many nominations each state can issue per program year. The 2024–25 state visa allocation breakdown gives a full picture of capacity across jurisdictions.
• For Victoria-specific 190 conditions, the Victoria 190 visa FAQs are the most current reference available.

Can I Get Permanent Residency If My Occupation Is on STSOL?

Yes, STSOL occupation holders have three distinct permanent residency pathways in 2026: the Subclass 190 (permanent from day one), the Subclass 491 leading to the Subclass 191 after three years in a regional area, and the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme.

None of these routes is an inferior alternative to the 190, which is the same permanent visa granted to MLTSSL applicants, and the 491 regional pathway can be strategically superior for applicants whose points score benefits from the 15-point regional bonus.

Three PR Pathways Available to STSOL Occupation Holders

• Subclass 190 Permanent Residency from Day One: The 190 is a permanent visa granted at approval. There is no provisional stage, no further application, and no income threshold to meet post-grant. You must commit to living and working in the nominating state for two years. For processing timelines, see Subclass 190 visa processing times.
• Subclass 491 Subclass 191 The Regional Pathway (3 Years): The Subclass 491 is a 5-year provisional visa that attracts a 15-point bonus in SkillSelect enough to make the difference for many STSOL applicants who cannot reach competitive 190 cut-offs. After living and working in a designated regional area for three years and earning above the income threshold, you apply for the Subclass 191 permanent visa without returning to SkillSelect. The side-by-side breakdown of these two pathways is in the 190 vs 491 visa comparison.
• Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme – Employer-Sponsored PR: If an Australian employer is willing to nominate you and your occupation appears on the relevant list, the Subclass 186 ENS is a direct permanent residency visa. STSOL occupation holders working in Australia on a Subclass 482 (short-term stream) for at least two years become eligible for the Temporary Residence Transition stream of the 186.

Can STSOL Applicants Apply for Regional PR Pathways in Australia?

Yes, the Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional Visa is fully available to STSOL occupation holders and, for many applicants, represents the most strategically efficient path to Australian permanent residency. The 15-point bonus attached to a 491 nomination can shift an applicant from below the competitive threshold for the 190 to well above it in terms of SkillSelect ranking.

Why the Regional Route Works in Favour of STSOL Applicants

• The 15-point SkillSelect bonus for a 491 nomination is among the largest single-point boosts available. It often makes the regional provisional pathway faster in practice than waiting for a 190 invitation at lower points.
• Regional areas of Australia operate separate occupation lists through the Regional Occupation List (ROL), which sometimes includes STSOL occupations that have closed in metropolitan state nomination rounds.
• After three years in a designated regional area and meeting the minimum income requirement, the Subclass 191 opens without any new SkillSelect invitation, removing the most uncertain variable in the process.
• STSOL applicants with a family member already living and working in a designated regional area can access the family-sponsored stream of the 491, a route that bypasses the competitive state nomination queue entirely.
• For a detailed list of qualifying regions and how to choose the right location for your situation, see the regional areas for PR in Australia.
• The full eligibility and application process for the 491 is covered in the Subclass 491 eligibility guide.

How Do I Check If My Occupation Is on the MLTSSL or STSOL?

You check whether your occupation is on the MLTSSL or STSOL by locating your ANZSCO code confirmed through a skills assessment or the official occupation classification and cross-referencing it against the Department of Home Affairs Skilled Occupation List, which labels each occupation as MLTSSL, STSOL, or ROL. This step is not optional; your list classification determines which visa pathways are legally available to you.

Steps to Confirm Your Occupation List Status

• Step 1 — Confirm your ANZSCO code: Your assessing authority will identify your ANZSCO code as part of the skills assessment process. Note that Australia is transitioning from ANZSCO to the new OSCA framework. The ANZSCO to OSCA transition guide explains how the change affects current and pending applications.
• Step 2 — Check the official Department of Home Affairs list: The Skilled Occupation List is published on the official immigration website. Each occupation is clearly marked MLTSSL, STSOL, or ROL. Use your ANZSCO code to search, not just your job title.
• Step 3 — Cross-reference each state’s current list: After confirming your federal list status, check the occupation list for each state or territory you are considering for nomination. State lists update between rounds, confirming federal eligibility is step one, not the final step.
• Step 4 — Confirm your assessing authority and pathway: Different occupations are assessed by different bodies, such as VETASSESS, Engineers Australia, CPAA, ACS, TRA, and others. The skills assessment authorities guide maps every occupation to its correct body.
• Step 5 — Calculate your current points score: Use The Migration’s points calculator to understand where you sit and which pathway your score supports. Many applicants discover they are closer to a competitive threshold than expected or that a targeted improvement (IELTS re-sit, partner points) could unlock a faster route.
• Step 6 — Track SkillSelect invitation rounds: The SkillSelect invitation round tracker shows current cut-off scores by occupation and visa subclass essential context before you decide whether to target the 190 or 491.

What Occupations Are on the STSOL vs MLTSSL in 2026?

The MLTSSL includes occupations across healthcare, engineering, information technology, accounting, education, and the trades, where Australia has sustained long-term demand. The STSOL covers roles in shorter-term demand, including several accounting, hospitality, and business occupations. The classifications below are based on current list status; always verify against the live Department of Home Affairs list before making application decisions.

Examples of Common Occupations and Their List Classifications

• Registered Nurse (MLTSSL): Eligible for 189, 190, and 491. One of the most consistently invited occupations across all states and in independent SkillSelect rounds.
• Accountant – General (STSOL): Eligible for 190 and 491, not 189. State nomination criteria for accountants vary significantly; some states require local work experience, while others do not currently nominate this code at all.
• Software Engineer / Developer (MLTSSL): Eligible for all major skilled migration pathways; strongly invited in most states and in independent SkillSelect rounds. One of the highest-volume occupations in the program.
• Cook (STSOL): Cannot access the 189. Eligible for 190 if the state nominates the occupation, and for 491 through regional streams. Check the Queensland skilled occupation list and equivalent state lists for current nomination status.
• Civil Engineer (MLTSSL): Eligible for 189 and attracts competitive invitation scores. Consistently listed as a priority occupation across multiple states.
• Management Accountant (STSOL): Not eligible for 189. Eligible for 190 where state-nominated. Strategy decisions for this occupation depend heavily on the current state list inclusions.
• Early Childhood Teacher (classification varies by state): Federal MLTSSL status, but individual state lists vary. Always cross-reference both the federal and state occupation lists for this occupation.

For the full searchable breakdown of which occupations fall on which list and which visa subclasses they unlock, the Australian skilled occupation lists guide is the most comprehensive reference available on this site. The priority occupations in the state nomination guide cover which ANZSCO codes are receiving the fastest invitations in the current program year.

How The Migration Helps STSOL Applicants Navigate to Permanent Residency

Because the Department of Home Affairs operates SkillSelect on a rolling, data-driven invitation model and because state occupation lists update multiple times per program year, the margin between a successful 190 nomination and a missed round often comes down to timing, points optimisation, and knowing which state is actively inviting your specific ANZSCO code at any given moment. A MARA-registered migration agent provides direct, measurable value at exactly these decision points.

The Migration agents, based at Harris Park, Sydney, and Melbourne CBD, work with STSOL applicants to:

• Occupation and list verification: Confirm your ANZSCO code, correct list classification (MLTSSL vs STSOL vs ROL), and the relevant assessing authority before any application is lodged.
• Points strategy: Identify the fastest, highest-value points improvements for your specific profile, whether that is an IELTS or PTE re-sit, partner skills points, a Professional Year program, or the 491 regional bonus route.
• State nomination matching: Align your occupation and profile with the states currently offering the strongest invitation prospects in the active program year, not the previous year’s data.
• 190 vs 491 analysis: Determine whether the direct permanent 190 route or the regional provisional 491 pathway delivers a faster, more competitive outcome for your specific situation.
• EOI and ROI management: Prepare, lodge, and manage your SkillSelect EOI, state nomination Registration of Interest, and full visa application with all supporting documentation reviewed before submission.
• OSCA transition advice: If the occupation classification update from ANZSCO to OSCA affects how your role is assessed or listed, we will verify the impact on your visa eligibility before it becomes a problem.

For Indian skilled workers and other international applicants comparing their full options, the Australia visa guide for Indian citizens and the General Skilled Migration PR pathway guide provide the broader landscape context.

Conclusion

The STSOL vs MLTSSL distinction has one defining rule: MLTSSL unlocks the Subclass 189 independent pathway; STSOL does not. Every other skilled migration visa, the 190, 491, 186, and 482, is accessible to STSOL occupation holders with the right profile and strategy. The 190 grants permanent residency immediately on approval.

The 491 regional pathway, with its 15-point bonus, often provides a faster route to permanent status through the Subclass 191 than waiting for a competitive 190 invitation at lower points. Both are strong outcomes, not consolation prizes.

Start with your points score using The Migration’s points calculator, then map your result against the Australian skilled occupation lists guide to understand exactly where you stand and which pathway to pursue first. Once you know your score and confirm your occupation is on the list, book your consultation with our MARA-registered migration agent (MARN 1807450) to lock in the right state, strengthen your EOI, and move forward with a clear, expert-backed strategy.

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