Australia’s skilled migration system is preparing for a significant reform. The Department of Home Affairs has confirmed a consultation to review the occupations on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL).
Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) officially opened consultations for the 2025 Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) at 11:00 AEST on 25 August 2025, with submissions closing at 23:59 AEST on 26 September 2025. This is a critical opportunity for employers, industry associations, unions, job seekers, state and territory governments, academics, and other stakeholders to provide feedback on which occupations should remain or be added to the CSOL.
The CSOL underpins eligibility for two major employer-sponsored visa programs: the Skills in Demand visa – Core Skills stream (subclass 482) and the Employer Nomination Scheme visa – Direct Entry stream (subclass 186). Through this consultation, JSA aims to ensure the list reflects genuine skill shortages across Australia and supports long-term workforce and migration planning.
Importantly, the CSOL is not a prioritised or ranked list. There is no cap on how many occupations can be included, and no restriction on how many visas can be granted per occupation. Visa volume under the Core Skills stream will be driven solely by demand from approved employer sponsors, not by a government-set quota or priority system.
What is the Core Skills Occupation List?
The Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) identifies occupations intended to address genuine workforce shortages where Australian employers are unable to fill roles locally.
The list focuses on Skill Level 1 to 3 occupations under the Occupation and Skills Classification of Australia (OSCA) system. It enables approved employers to sponsor qualified overseas workers in critical roles aligned with Australia’s workforce needs. For reference, the current list is available on the Jobs and Skills Australia website: The Core Skills Occupation List.
Why the CSOL review matters for businesses
The Department of Home Affairs and Jobs and Skills Australia are undertaking this review to ensure that migration policy settings remain responsive, data-driven, and aligned with economic need. This review is aligned with the Australian Government’s Migration Strategy, released on 11 December 2023, which formally established the role of Jobs and Skills Australia in defining Australia’s skill needs using evidence and tripartite consultation.
The 2025 CSOL will be shaped using:
- The Occupation Shortage List (OSL),developed by JSA based on deep analysis of recruitment patterns, and
- A wide range of additional data sources, including labour market outcomes, migrant retention in occupations, market salary trends, the domestic graduate pipeline, and relative reliance on sponsored workers.
Some occupations will also be included to meet Australia’s international trade obligations, regardless of local shortage data.
The list is benchmarked to OSCA 2024 and reflects the most up-to-date data available. It is not directly comparable to previous lists, such as the 2024 CSOL or the 2019 Skilled Migration Occupation Lists (SMOL), due to significant updates in classification, labour metrics, and policy settings.
Next steps for employers
JSA has made it clear that all Skill Level 1 to 3 occupations under OSCA are open for consultation, not just those currently experiencing skill shortages.
Stakeholders are encouraged to:
- Review the 2025 CSOL Targeted for Consultation Group
- Provide evidence-based submissions identifying specific occupations, especially those within “not elsewhere classified (nec)” categories
- Participate in surveys or request bilateral consultation meetings before the closing date of 26 September 2025
The updated methodology also includes refinements from the JSA Migration Labour Market Indicator Model, and will consider the transition impact from ANZSCO to OSCA in the inclusion/exclusion of specific occupation titles and specialisations.
Why employer engagement is critical
This consultation is a vital opportunity for employers to help shape skilled migration pathways that impact recruitment, project delivery, and workforce planning. JSA welcomes input even from businesses without current shortages, as the CSOL may affect roles across all salary levels. Industries with acute shortages such as health, tech, construction, and regional services are especially encouraged to participate. The outcome will influence which roles remain eligible for sponsorship in 2026 and beyond.
Partner with experts on the CSOL review
Absolute Immigration works alongside employers to:
- Monitor ongoing CSOL policy changes
- Provide clarity on the OSCA and OSL frameworks
- Support strategic workforce planning aligned to visa eligibility
- Help businesses understand where their critical roles stand in relation to migration trends and legislative obligations
While Jobs and Skills Australia prepares the advice, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship will make the final decision on the 2025 CSOL and the frequency of future updates. Businesses should ensure they are well-informed and ready to respond.
Don’t risk being unprepared. For strategic support tailored to your industry, contact us at aisupport@absoluteimmigration.com
