This is the 2026 invitation round trends analysis for ANZSCO 399311 — Gallery or Museum Technician. For visa pathway selection see the 399311 pathway guide. For TRA assessment see the skills assessment guide. For state-by-state breakdown see the state nomination comparison. For cost / timeline see the case study.
Short version
No invitation rounds for 399311 — at all. Skills list reality:
- MLTSSL — not listed. No 189.
- STSOL — not listed. No 190 / 491.
- ROL — listed. Supports 494.
- CSOL — not listed. No 186 DE / 482.
Per source data:
189 ✗ • 190 ✗ • 491 ✗ • 491 Family ✗ • 186 DE ✗ • 494 ✓ • 482 ✗
State nomination uniformly closed.
SkillSelect rounds reality
For 399311: not eligible for 189 / 190 / 491. EOIs cannot proceed.
The only live channel — 494 Regional Employer-Sponsored
- 5-year provisional visa.
- Regional gallery / museum sponsor required.
- TRA OSAP skills assessment.
- Competent English.
- Under 45 at lodgement.
- 3 years cumulative regional + earnings threshold → 191 PR.
Where 494 sponsors exist
Regional galleries / museums:
- Bendigo Art Gallery (regional Vic) — Australia's oldest regional gallery.
- Ballarat Art Gallery (regional Vic).
- Geelong Gallery (regional Vic).
- Newcastle Art Gallery (regional NSW).
- Wollongong Art Gallery (regional NSW).
- Maitland / Tweed / Coffs Harbour / Lismore regional galleries (NSW).
- Bundaberg / Toowoomba / Cairns / Mackay regional galleries (QLD).
- TMAG (Hobart — all TAS regional), MONA (Hobart — regional).
- AGSA (Adelaide — all SA regional for 494).
- Indigenous cultural centres — Wuyagiba (NT), Karijini Visitor Centre (WA), various regional.
National institutions in Canberra are NOT regional. State capital galleries / museums in Sydney / Melbourne / Brisbane / Perth metros NOT regional. Adelaide (all SA regional) is the unique major-city exception.
Strategic alternative — 224611 Curator
For roles beyond pure technician work, consider 224611 Gallery, Library or Museum Curator:
- VETASSESS-assessed (not TRA).
- Broader visa stack potential (varies by intake).
- For collection management, exhibition curation, programming work.
Check time allocation honestly — if 70%+ of your work is curatorial / collection management, 224611 fits. If 70%+ is technical (installation / art handling / mount-making / database), 399311 fits.
Volume context
Australia-wide 494 nominations for gallery / museum technician (399311) likely low single digits per year. Small specialist sector.
Where to verify
- Home Affairs SkillSelect invitation rounds
- Subclass 494 details
- Australian Museums and Galleries Association (AMaGA)
- Skilled Occupation List
Tools
- Points calculator
- Visa fee calculator
- Document checklist
- Eligibility wizard
- Invitation rounds tracker
- ANZSCO search
Next step
Want help comparing 399311 vs 224611 Curator for your case? Book a 30-minute free strategy call with a MARA-registered agent at Global Select.