ANZSCO Codes: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals Applying for Skilled Visas in Australia

Written by

Aqsa Ahmed
ANZSCO Codes
Created On : Aug 12, 2024 Updated On : Oct 15, 2025 3 min read

Australia is a dream destination for many skilled professionals seeking new opportunities and a better quality of life. One of the key elements to start this journey is understanding the ANZSCO (Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations) codes. 

These codes play an important role in determining the eligibility for various skilled visa programs. In this blog, we will provide you with all the information about what ANZSCO codes are, why they matter, and how you can utilise this knowledge to achieve your dream of living and working in Australia as a healthcare professional.

If you are searching for the best mentors to guide you through this journey, visit us at Academically and jump into the world of successful migration to Australia! 

What are ANZSCO Codes?

ANZSCO codes are a method for classifying jobs in Australia and New Zealand. Developed together by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), Statistics New Zealand, and the Department of Education and Training, these codes help in systematically identifying and categorising different job roles based on their functions and requirements.

Each ANZSCO code consists of a six-digit number unique to each occupation. For example, the ANZSCO code for a hospital pharmacist is -  "251511."

In the ANZSCO system jobs are systematically organised into 8 major groups, which are then divided into smaller sub-groups, and finally into individual occupations.

Structure of ANZSCO by occupation group

Overview of ANZSCO Structure

ANZSCO is organised into five levels: major group, sub-major group, minor group, unit group, and occupation. Each level has a specific code:

  1. Major groups: Contains 1 digit and is the broadest level, made up of sub-major groups.
  2. Sub-major groups: Contains 2 digits and is made up of minor groups.
  3. Minor groups: Contains 3 digits and is made up of unit groups.
  4. Unit groups: Contains 4 digits and is made up of similar occupations.
  5. Occupations: Contains 6 digits and specific jobs. 
Refer to the Australian Bureau of Statistics for more.

Following Are The ANZSCO Codes For Healthcare Professionals 

When applying for a skilled visa to Australia, the Department of Home Affairs uses ANZSCO codes to assess and validate your occupation. The codes are linked to the skills and qualifications required for different job roles, therefore making sure that only qualified individuals are considered for migration. Here is a table for occupations in the healthcare sector and their respective codes:

OCCUPATIONANZSCO Code
Resident Medical Officer253112
Rheumatologist253323
Sales Representative (Medical and Pharmaceutical Products)225412
Sonographer251214
Specialist Physician (General Medicine)253311
Specialist Physicians nec253399
Surgeon (General)253511
Thoracic Medicine Specialist253324
Urologist253518
Vascular Surgeon253521
Hospital Pharmacist251511
Industrial Pharmacist251512
Pharmacy Technician311215
Retail Pharmacist251513
Enrolled Nurse411411
Mothercraft Nurse411412
Nurse Educator254211
Nurse Manager254311
Nurse Practitioner254411
Nurse Researcher254212
Nurseryperson362411
Registered Nurse (Aged Care)254412
Registered Nurse(Child and Family Health)254413
Registered Nurse (Community Health)254414
Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency)254415
Registered Nurse (Developmental Disability)254416
Registered Nurse (Disability and Rehabilitation)254417
Registered Nurse (Medical Practice)254421
Registered Nurse (Medical)254418
Registered Nurse (Mental Health)254422
Registered Nurse (Paediatrics)254425
Registered Nurse (Perioperative)254423
Registered Nurse (Surgical)254424
Registered Nurses nec254499
Intensive Care Ambulance Paramedic411112
Intensive Care Specialist253317
Anaesthetic Technician311211
Anaesthetist253211
Cardiac Technician311212
Chemistry Technician311411
Dental Technician411213
Medical Laboratory Technician311213
Medical Technicians nec311299
Pharmacy Technician311215
Science Technicians nec311499
Cardiothoracic Surgeon253512
Neurosurgeon253513
Orthopaedic Surgeon253514
Paediatric Surgeon253516
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon253517
Biochemist234513
Biomedical Engineer233913
Biotechnologist234514

Conclusion

If you are someone who is preparing to migrate to Australia and start your practice in the diverse healthcare landscape of the country, understanding the ANZSCO codes should be the first step in your preparation to ensure you don't make any mistakes while applying for a visa. The codes are important for all healthcare professionals applying, especially for a skilled visa in Australia, as they make sure that only qualified individuals are chosen for migration and make the transition smoother and more efficient.

We at Academically provide all the courses and their tuition to become a successful healthcare practitioner in Australia. Our courses are created by the best medical practitioners, educators and clinicians from top academic universities who also offer one-on-one tutoring to help you ace your exams. 

By knowing your ANZSCO code and meeting the necessary requirements, you can improve your chances of successfully securing a visa and starting a new chapter in Australia as a healthcare professional.

To read more about Academically’s healthcare courses for Australia: Global Medical Exam Courses & Programs | Academically Australia.

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FAQs

Q. What is the ANZSCO code assessment?

A. The Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) code is a numerical system used to classify and categorise occupations for immigration purposes in Australia and New Zealand.

Q. What is skill level 1 in ANZSCO?

A. Occupations at Skill Level 1 in Australia require a level of expertise similar to what you would gain from completing a bachelor's degree or a higher qualification. Alternatively, if you have at least five years of relevant work experience in that field, it can substitute for the formal educational qualification. This means that people with more practical experience may be considered as having the necessary skills equivalent to those with formal academic credentials.

Q. Who uses ANZSCO?

A. Australia and New Zealand use ANZSCO.

Aqsa Ahmed
Aqsa Ahmed
about the author

Aqsa Ahmed is an aspiring medical writer with a strong passion for communicating healthcare topics to non-medical audiences. Motivated by a love for contemporary literature, she believes in using literature to increase awareness about complex medical topics and diagnostic procedures in an attempt to eliminate prejudice surrounding medical science and improve public health understanding.

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