Get ready — Australia and New Zealand have just revolutionized their skilled migration programs, and if you’re a professional in tech, engineering, aviation, or even cybersecurity, this is your signal to act.
These aren’t minor tweaks. We’re talking about brand-new occupations, just added in late April 2025 for May 2025 onwards, to fill critical shortages and fast-track global talent into high-demand sectors in both Australia and New Zealand.
Let’s break down exactly what’s changed, why it matters, and how you can ride this wave to a work visa — and maybe even permanent residency.
Australia’s May 2025 Skilled Visa Reset is Here!
Australia launched its new Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) on December 7, 2024, replacing outdated categories with a streamlined list that speaks directly to the future of work. And here’s the kicker: These occupations are now directly linked to the new Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) and popular points-tested visas like subclass 189 (Skilled Independent). And now the new update for May 2025 onwards is here:
Newly Eligible Roles in Australia (Effective May 2025):
| Occupation’s | ANZSCO Code | Why It Was Added |
|---|---|---|
| Data Analyst | 224114 | Demand for advanced data analytics across finance, health, and AI. |
| Data Scientist | 224115 | Surge in AI, big data, and predictive modeling roles. |
| Cyber Security Engineer | 261315 | Critical response to rising cyber threats. |
| DevOps Engineer | 261316 | Tech giants seek cloud-native and deployment experts. |
| Penetration Tester | 261317 | Cybersecurity risk is real — ethical hackers now in demand. |
| Cyber Security Analyst | 262116 | Government and private sectors beefing up defense. |
| Cyber Security Architect | 262117 | Strategic design roles needed in every sector. |
| Cyber Governance Specialist | 262114 | Compliance and regulation experts are gold. |
| Cyber Security Advisor | 262115 | Firms need high-level risk mitigation planners. |
| Cyber Security Ops Coordinator | 262118 | Urgent need for security operation center managers. |
These were officially validated by the Australian Computer Society (ACS) in January 2025, signaling a green light for visa eligibility.
✅ Apply under:
- Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent)
- Subclass 482 (Skills in Demand)
- Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme)
Australia’s Core SOL PDF: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/Documents/core-sol.pdf.
New Zealand’s Green List Surprise for May 2025
As of April, 2025, New Zealand added a fresh wave of high-value roles to its prestigious Green List — and the best part? Most of them qualify for Straight to Residence visas! So, if your dream is to live in Wellington or Auckland while working in a future-proof job — you just got closer.
| Occupation’s | ANZSCO Code(s) | Visa Route | Why It Was Added |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aeronautical Engineer | 233911 | Straight to Residence | Aviation sector demand. |
| Naval Architect | 233916 | Straight to Residence | Shortage in marine design talent. |
| ICT Systems/DB Administrator | 262111, 262113 | Straight to Residence | Core to tech infrastructure. |
| Mechanical Eng. Technician | 312512 | Straight to Residence | Demand in manufacturing and design support. |
| Aircraft Maintenance Engineer | 323111–323113 | Straight to Residence | Fix the aviation workforce gap. |
| Corrections Officer | 442111 | Work to Residence | Immediate vacancies in public safety. |
These roles are not just for work visas — many offer a residence pathway right out of the gate, fast-tracking you into life in New Zealand.
New Occupations = New Visa Pathways: Fast-Tracked Migration Like Never Before!
Here’s the real win behind these new listings — they’re not just fancy job titles added to a database. Their inclusion in the official Skill Shortage Lists for both Australia and New Zealand is a green light for faster, easier, and more assured migration routes. Because these occupations are now officially recognized as critical to the economy, they’re being tied directly to:
-
- Fast-tracked skilled worker visas
- Residency pathways with fewer hurdles
- Streamlined job-matching with vetted employers
- Exemption from labor market testing (in many cases)
- Simplified document requirements & reduced processing times
In Australia, professionals like Cyber Security Engineers, Data Scientists, and DevOps Experts can now enter through the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) with employer sponsorship — and many will qualify for permanent residency via subclass 186 within just 2 years.
In New Zealand, roles such as Aircraft Maintenance Engineers and Aeronautical Engineers now sit in the Green List Tier 1 category — meaning you can jump straight into residency from day one, with no need to wait for a job offer to begin your visa journey.
