Migrate to Australia as a Cabinet Maker (ANZSCO 394112) — Pathway Guide 2026

This is the 2026 pathway guide for migrating to Australia under ANZSCO 394112 — Cabinet Maker. 394112 is on CSOL only per source data, with eligible visas: Subclass 186 Direct Entry and Subclass 482 Core Skills — both employer-sponsored.

For skills assessment, invitation patterns, state-by-state breakdown, and cost / timeline, see the linked cluster.

394112 vs 394111 — important strategic question

394112 Cabinet Maker and 394111 Cabinetmaker both cover the same cabinet making trade but under different ANZSCO classifications:

Strategic recommendation:

• If you can self-migrate via points (75-85+ EOI, Superior English) → use 394111 Cabinetmaker (broader stack with 189 / 190 / 491).
• If you have a confirmed Australian sponsor offer wanting fast PR → 394112 Cabinet Maker enables 186 Direct Entry (6-12 months to PR).

In practice, candidates have flexibility to choose ANZSCO code based on which pathway suits — both codes cover the same trade work.

Who fits ANZSCO 394112

Cabinet Maker (ANZSCO 2022 variant) covers the same scope as 394111 Cabinetmaker:

Kitchen / bathroom cabinetry

• Custom kitchen cabinet construction.
• Vanity cabinet construction.
• Benchtop installation.
• Hardware installation (Blum, Hettich, Hafele).

Wardrobe / storage

• Built-in wardrobes (sliding / hinged door).
• Walk-in robe fit-outs.
• Office / study storage.

Commercial fit-out / shopfitting

• Retail shopfitting.
• Office fit-out.
• Hotel / hospitality.

Custom / bespoke furniture

• Bespoke dining tables, sideboards, entertainment units.
• Heritage / period reproduction furniture.

Joinery overlap

• Internal joinery.

See the 394111 Cabinetmaker pathway guide for full role scope detail — applies equally to 394112.

Skills lists and visas — narrower than 394111

394112 is listed on:

• CSOL (Core Skills Occupation List) — supports 186 Direct Entry and 482 Core Skills.
• NOT on MLTSSL or STSOL — no 189 / 190 / 491 under this code.
• NOT on ROL — no 494 under this code.

Eligible visas per source data:

State nomination: not applicable under 394112 (no STSOL listing).

Pathway A — Subclass 186 Direct Entry (primary recommended)

For an experienced cabinet maker with a confirmed Australian sponsor offer, 186 DE is the fastest line to PR.

What you need:

1. Sponsoring employer (accredited or standard business sponsor). Realistic Australian sponsors: kitchen / bathroom specialists (Wallspan, Freedom Kitchens, Kinsman, regional kitchen brands), shopfitting contractors (Aero, ISIS Group), premium furniture makers (King Living adjacency, Jardan, Coco Republic), construction company in-house cabinetry teams.
2. TRA OSAP skills assessment — Cert III in Cabinet Making + 3 years post-qualification.
3. Competent English — IELTS 6.0 each band, PTE 50 each, or equivalent.
4. Under 45 at lodgement (age exemptions for high-income / specialist roles).

Wall-clock: 6 to 12 months from sponsor offer to grant. PR on grant.

Pathway B — Subclass 482 Core Skills

4-year temporary visa with employer sponsor. Mechanics:

• 4-year visa.
• Counts toward 186 TRT — after 2 years on 482 with same sponsor + 3 years cumulative skilled work, apply for 186 TRT.
• TRA OSAP required.
• Salary at TSMIT (currently AUD 73,150, indexed) + market salary rate.

Useful when sponsors want a trial period before committing to PR sponsorship.

Pathway C — switch to 394111 Cabinetmaker

If you don't have a sponsor offer, switch ANZSCO code to 394111 Cabinetmaker (older code, MLTSSL listing):

• Unlocks 189 Independent (no sponsor).
• Unlocks 190 / 491 in all 8 states.
• Unlocks 494 Regional Employer.

The trade work is the same. The code choice reflects pathway preference. See the 394111 pathway guide for points-tested route.

Realistic prioritisation

For 394112 specifically:

In practice, most candidates planning self-funded migration via points choose 394111. Candidates with confirmed sponsor offers wanting fast PR use 394112.

Australian cabinet making industry reality in 2026

Same as for 394111 — Australian cabinet making is consistently in demand:

• Kitchen / bathroom renovation — sustained nationwide demand.
• Residential construction — capital cities + regional growth corridors.
• Commercial shopfitting — retail / hospitality / office fit-out.
• Custom cabinetmakers — boutique kitchen specialists.
• Bespoke / artisan furniture — regional Vic, Tasmania artisan cluster.

Employer-sponsored pathways are functional. Major employers (Kinsman, Freedom Kitchens, regional kitchen specialists, shopfitting contractors, premium furniture makers) sponsor under 186 DE / 482 regularly.

Skills that travel well: Blum / Hettich / Hafele hardware installation, engineered stone benchtop fabrication (with silicosis prevention training), CNC operation (Felder, Biesse, Homag, SCM, Holzma), edge-banding (Brandt, IMA), CAD software (Microvellum, Cabnetware, Cabinet Vision, AutoCAD).

Practical 12-month sequence (394112 sponsor track)

For 186 DE, grant typically 6-12 months from sponsor offer.

Tools

• Eligibility wizard
• Points calculator
• Visa fee calculator
• Document checklist
• ANZSCO search

Authoritative sources

• Home Affairs — visa fees and charges
• Trades Recognition Australia (TRA)
• Subclass 186 details
• Subclass 482 details
• Cabinet Makers and Designers Association

Next step

Need a MARA agent to evaluate 394112 vs 394111 strategically for your case? Book a 30-minute free strategy call with Global Select.