This guide walks through every realistic pathway for migrating to Australia as an Aeronautical Engineer under ANZSCO 233911. 233911 sits on the MLTSSL + CSOL — meaning Subclass 189, Subclass 190, Subclass 491, Subclass 186 Direct Entry, Subclass 494, and Subclass 482 Core Skills are all open.
For the assessing-authority detail, see the 233911 skills assessment guide. For worked numbers, see the 233911 cost & timeline case study.
Visa eligibility snapshot
| Visa | Status for 233911 |
|---|---|
| Subclass 189 (Independent points-tested) | Open ✅ |
| Subclass 190 (State-nominated PR) | Open ✅ |
| Subclass 491 (Regional Provisional) | Open ✅ |
| Subclass 186 Direct Entry | Open ✅ |
| Subclass 482 Core Skills | Open ✅ |
| Subclass 494 (Skilled Employer-sponsored Regional) | Open ✅ |
What ANZSCO 233911 covers
- Aircraft design / structures / aerodynamics
- Propulsion engineer — engines, fuel systems
- Avionics integration / systems engineer
- Flight test / certification engineer
- Defence aerospace sustainment — F-35, F/A-18, EA-18G, P-8, MQ-4C, E-7 Wedgetail, MH-60R, Tiger ARH replacement
- MRO engineer — heavy maintenance, modifications
- Space launch / satellite engineer — emerging sector
- UAV / autonomous flight engineer — defence + commercial drone
- Stress / loads engineer — finite element analysis, fatigue, damage tolerance
Pathway A — Subclass 189 (Independent PR)
Senior aeronautical engineers with chartered status (CEng / CPEng) and major project experience are competitive at 189.
Pathway B — Subclass 190 (state-nominated PR)
States actively nominate — particularly NSW (Boeing Defence Brisbane has Sydney presence + Williamtown), VIC (Avalon / Williamstown defence cluster + Marand), QLD (Boeing Brisbane), SA (defence shipbuilding hub), WA (mining FIFO MRO).
Pathway C — Subclass 491 → 191
Strong regional pathway — Adelaide (defence / space cluster), Williamtown / Newcastle (RAAF / defence aerospace), Townsville (RAAF Garbutt), Geelong / Avalon, regional WA (FIFO charter MRO).
Pathway D — Subclass 186 Direct Entry / 494 / 482
Realistic 186 / 482 / 494 sponsors
- Defence primes — Boeing Defence Australia (Brisbane / Williamtown), BAE Systems Australia, Lockheed Martin Australia, Northrop Grumman Australia, Raytheon Australia, Saab Australia, Thales Australia, Marand Precision Engineering
- Airlines + MRO — Qantas Engineering, Virgin Australia Engineering, Alliance Aviation Services, Cobham Aviation Services
- Helicopter MRO — Airbus Australia Pacific, Leonardo Australia
- Space sector — Gilmour Space Technologies, Saber Astronautics, Fleet Space Technologies (Adelaide), Inovor Technologies
- UAV / autonomy — Boeing Australia Loyal Wingman, BAE Systems STRIX, Anduril Australia
- OEM service centres — Pratt & Whitney Canada Australia, Rolls-Royce Australia (defence MRO)
Common mistakes that cost aeronautical engineers their assessment
Confusing 233911 with 233512 Mechanical Engineer or 233411 Electronics Engineer. Aerospace specialty = 233911. Mechanical (non-aerospace) = 233512. Avionics-only / electronics = 233411 (consider).
Tradesman aircraft maintenance engineer (LAME / B1 / B2). LAME / B1 / B2 trades fit 323111 Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Avionics) or 323112 / 323113. Aeronautical Engineer (degree-level) = 233911.
Tools to plan your pathway
- Eligibility wizard
- Visa fee calculator
- ANZSCO search — confirm 233911 vs 233512 / 233411 / 323112
- Document checklist
Where to verify the rules
- Department of Home Affairs
- Engineers Australia Migration Skills Assessment
- Royal Aeronautical Society Australian Division
- CASA — Civil Aviation Safety Authority
Next step
Want to model 189 vs 190 vs 491 vs 186 vs 494 vs 482 against your aeronautical engineer profile? Book a 30-minute free strategy call.