Australia faces critical Skills Shortages Australia across key sectors, creating an unprecedented window of opportunity for qualified professionals globally. Planning your move means looking beyond the current job market to the strategic needs of the nation. The Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) guides this effort, identifying roles vital to Australia’s long-term economic prosperity and infrastructure.

This guide provides the definitive outlook for 2025, detailing the Top 10 Skilled Visa Occupations that offer a direct path to Australian Permanent Residency (PR), alongside a precise Occupational Salary Data 2025 breakdown. Focus your migration strategy on these roles to maximise your chances for a successful visa application and a rewarding career.

Understanding Australia’s New Skilled Visa Landscape in 2025

The Australian migration system is undergoing significant reform, shifting from the traditional MLTSSL structure toward a more dynamic, tiered system under the new Skills in Demand (SID) visa. This new structure, particularly the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), better reflects real-time Australian Labour Market Outlook and job demand.

The New Income Thresholds

Crucially, the government is increasing the minimum salary requirements for skilled migrants to ensure fair pay and to prevent undercutting local wages. Effective July 1, 2025, three key income thresholds will increase:

Threshold Purpose Old Salary (Pre-Jul 2025) New Salary (From Jul 1, 2025)
Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) Covers most in-demand, mid-level roles (Core Skills Stream) AUD $73,150 AUD $76,515
Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT) Covers high-income, highly specialised roles (Specialist Skills Stream) AUD $135,000 AUD $141,210
Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) Covers regional roles and the former 482 visa AUD $73,150 AUD $76,515

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Securing a job offer well above the CSIT and closer to the SSIT strengthens your visa application considerably.

Top 10 Most In-Demand Occupations on MLTSSL in 2025

The following list comprises the MLTSSL Occupations 2025 that show the highest, sustained demand across both traditional lists and the emerging Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL). These roles provide the strongest pathways for the Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) and the Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190).

  1. Registered Nurse (All Specialisations) 
  • Why it’s In-Demand: Healthcare remains the single largest area of shortage due to an ageing population and continuous capacity demands. Registered Nurse Australia is consistently ranked as the most in-demand role.
  • Pathway: Critical National Priority for PR, including the Subclass 189 and State Nomination Australia (Subclass 190).
  • Average Salary Australia by Occupation: AUD $65,000 – $120,000+ per year, with specialists and experienced nurses commanding the high end.
  1. Software Engineer / Developer Programmer 
  • Why it’s In-Demand: The digital transformation across all sectors—from finance to mining—fuels constant demand for skilled coders. Software Engineer Australia roles are vital for the tech economy.
  • Pathway: Strong PR option, often via a direct Employer Nomination Scheme (186) or a high-scoring Subclass 189 invitation.
  • Average Salary Australia by Occupation: AUD $104,000 – $153,750 per year. Senior, specialist roles like AI/Machine Learning Engineer frequently exceed the SSIT threshold.
  1. Civil Engineer / Infrastructure Engineer 
  • Why it’s In-Demand: Australia is in the middle of a national infrastructure boom—road, rail, and renewable energy projects require thousands of engineers. Civil Engineer Australia is a critical role for future development.
  • Pathway: Highly favoured by state governments for nomination due to large-scale project needs.
  • Average Salary Australia by Occupation: AUD $85,000 – $130,000 per year, with project managers earning significantly more.
  1. Electrician / Electrical Tradesperson 
  • Why it’s In-Demand: The shift to electrification and renewable energy (solar, wind) has skyrocketed the need for licensed, skilled tradespeople. Electrician Australia Migration offers great job security.
  • Pathway: Trades are in high demand, especially in Regional Migration (Subclass 491) areas, leading to faster PR pathways.
  • Average Salary Australia by Occupation: AUD $90,000 – $130,000 per year, often boosted by overtime and project bonuses.
  1. Early Childhood Teacher / Secondary Teacher (STEM) 
  • Why it’s In-Demand: Widespread shortages exist in the education sector, particularly for early years and specialist high school subjects (Math, Science, IT).
  • Pathway: Excellent opportunity for a Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189), with many states offering priority nomination.
  • Average Salary Australia by Occupation: AUD $65,000 – $90,000+ per year, with salaries rising based on experience and school level.
  1. Construction Project Manager 
  • Why it’s In-Demand: The sheer volume of commercial and residential building projects requires experienced leaders to coordinate construction teams and manage costs.
  • Pathway: High-value, high-salary role making it competitive for the Subclass 189 and Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190).
  • Average Salary Australia by Occupation: AUD $120,000 – $150,000+ per year, often meeting the new Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT).
  1. Data Scientist / ICT Security Specialist 
  • Why it’s In-Demand: Businesses urgently need experts to manage, analyse, and secure massive amounts of data. Data Scientist MLTSSL roles are essential for corporate strategy.
  • Pathway: Strong contender for the high-value Specialist Skills stream, as salaries are typically well above the CSIT.
  • Average Salary Australia by Occupation: AUD $110,000 – $190,000+ per year, placing many in the highest-earning brackets.
  1. General Practitioner / Medical Specialist
  • Why it’s In-Demand: The most critical shortages exist for GPs and specialists, particularly in rural and regional areas.
  • Pathway: Targeted Skilled Occupations with priority processing and clear pathways to PR.
  • Average Salary Australia by Occupation: AUD $180,000 – $250,000+ per year (highly variable based on practice and specialisation).
  1. Management Consultant / Business Analyst
  • Why it’s In-Demand: Companies seek external expertise for efficiency, digital transformation, and compliance following periods of economic uncertainty.
  • Pathway: While competitive, these roles are frequently invited for the Subclass 189 visa, often requiring high EOI points (80–85+).
  • Average Salary Australia by Occupation: AUD $100,000 – $160,000+ per year.
  1. Mechanical Engineer / Mining Engineer
  • Why it’s In-Demand: The resources sector (mining, oil, and gas), primarily based in Western Australia and Queensland, has a constant, lucrative demand for highly specific engineering skills.
  • Pathway: Excellent option for Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190) in mining-focused states.
  • Average Salary Australia by Occupation: AUD $90,000 – $145,000+ per year (Mining Engineers are often at the top end of this range).

The Salary Outlook and PR Strategy for Skilled Migrants

Planning your move requires more than just checking an occupation list; it demands a strategic view of your potential income and how it relates to visa eligibility.

Using Income to Your Advantage

The salary you are offered directly affects your visa eligibility under the new Skills in Demand visa:

  • Core Skills Stream (CSIT $76,515+): Most of the Top 10 Skilled Visa Occupations fall into this stream. It’s the standard PR pathway for essential, high-volume roles.
  • Specialist Skills Stream (SSIT $141,210+): This is the high-priority, high-salary pathway designed to attract top-tier global talent quickly. If you are a senior Software Engineer Australia, Data Scientist MLTSSL, or Construction Project Manager Salary earner, you may qualify for faster processing and a simplified visa process.

The Regional Migration Advantage

For many of the roles listed above, particularly Electrician Australia Migration and healthcare professionals like Registered Nurse Australia, pursuing a Regional Migration (Subclass 491) visa can significantly improve your chances.

  • Point Boost: Regional nomination grants applicants additional points (15 points) toward their Expression of Interest (EOI), which can make the difference between an invitation and waiting years.
  • Lower Competition: While major cities like Sydney and Melbourne are highly competitive for the Subclass 189, regional areas have higher ceilings and lower thresholds for nomination. The salary threshold (TSMIT) for regional employer sponsorship aligns with the CSIT (AUD $76,515).

Action Steps to Secure Your Future in Australia

The demand for skilled labour is high, but the competition for Australian Permanent Residency (PR) is also intense. Strategic planning is essential.

  1. Verify Your Skills Assessment

The single most critical step is a positive skills assessment from the relevant body (e.g., ANMAC for Nurses, ACS for ICT, Engineers Australia for Engineers). Without this, your application for a Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) or Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190) cannot proceed.

  1. Target a High EOI Score

For the Subclass 189 and 190 visas, invitations are typically issued to the highest-scoring applicants. Aim for 80–85 points or higher. Improve your score by:

  • Achieving a Superior English score (PTE/IELTS).
  • Maximising points for age and overseas work experience.
  • Completing a Professional Year Program (for IT, Engineering, Accounting).
  1. Monitor the CSOL Transition

Stay informed on the official release of the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), which will eventually replace the current MLTSSL and Skilled Occupation List (SOL). The demand for roles will not change, but the list name and visa categories will. Consulting a migration agent to navigate these policy shifts is highly recommended.

Conclusion

Australia’s economic strategy for 2025 is clearly focused on attracting high-value skills in health, technology, and infrastructure. Targeting the Top 10 most in-demand occupations on Australia’s MLTSSL in 2025 is the smartest way to ensure your skills align with national priorities. By securing a competitive salary and strategically improving your EOI score, you can transition your professional experience into a clear path toward a successful career and Permanent Residency Australia (PR).