Dancer or Choreographer sits on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). The federal data file for ANZSCO 211112 confirms four open channels: Subclass 189, 190, 491, and 494.
What's not available: Subclass 186 Direct Entry and Subclass 482 — both closed for 211112.
For internationally recognised dancers / choreographers, Subclass 858 Distinguished Talent is also a separate direct-PR pathway.
This guide walks through each open pathway, the VETASSESS skills assessment, and a realistic timeline.
Open pathways at a glance
| Visa | Status | Speed to PR | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subclass 189 (Independent PR) | Open ✅ | 12-24 months | Direct PR, points-tested |
| Subclass 190 (State PR) | Open ✅ | 12-24 months | Direct PR with state nomination (+5 points) |
| Subclass 491 (Regional Provisional) | Open ✅ | ~60 months | Provisional 5y → 191 PR after 3y regional |
| Subclass 494 (Regional Employer) | Open ✅ | ~60 months | Provisional 5y → 191 PR after 3y regional |
| Subclass 858 (Distinguished Talent) | Available | 6-18 months | Direct PR for internationally recognised dancers |
| Subclass 186 DE / 482 | Closed | — | Not available for this code |
Pathway 1 — Subclass 189 (points-tested PR)
Subclass 189 is direct independent PR with no nomination required. Requirements:
- Positive VETASSESS skills assessment
- Competent English
- Under 45 at lodgement
- Points score
- Invitation in a SkillSelect round
Pathway 2 — Subclass 190 (state-nominated PR)
Subclass 190 is direct PR with state nomination adding 5 points.
Pathway 3 — Subclass 491 (regional provisional → 191 PR)
Subclass 491 is provisional for five years, converting to Subclass 191 after three years of regional residence.
Pathway 4 — Subclass 494 (employer-sponsored regional)
Subclass 494 is employer-sponsored, regional postcode, converting to 191 after three years.
Realistic 494 sponsors include national dance companies (Australian Ballet, Sydney Dance Company, Bangarra Dance Theatre, Queensland Ballet, West Australian Ballet), dance schools (Australian Ballet School, NIDA Open / WAAPA Dance) with regional programs, and major regional festival organisations.
Pathway 5 — Subclass 858 (Distinguished Talent)
Subclass 858 is a direct-PR pathway for internationally recognised individual dancers / choreographers — typically Royal Ballet, Bolshoi, Paris Opera Ballet, NYCB, ABT, or equivalent principal / soloist track records.
What ANZSCO 211112 covers
Dancer or Choreographer is the dance performance / choreography code. Typical roles:
- Principal / Soloist / Corps dancer (ballet, contemporary, ballroom)
- Commercial / theatre dancer (musical theatre, music videos, concert dance)
- Choreographer (companies, productions, music videos)
- Dance Director / Artistic Director of a dance company
- Dance teacher / coach with significant professional performance background
The Australian Bureau of Statistics task profile covers:
- Performing dance roles in productions
- Choreographing dance routines
- Rehearsing and training
- Auditioning for roles
- Teaching dance (with professional performance background)
- Maintaining performance fitness and skills
The VETASSESS skills assessment
VETASSESS is the named assessor for ANZSCO 211112. VETASSESS reviews:
- Tertiary qualification — typically a bachelor degree in dance / performing arts from a recognised institution (e.g. WAAPA, VCA, NICA, Royal Ballet School, Juilliard, Tisch School of the Arts)
- Minimum three years of post-qualification professional dance employment
- Reference letters from artistic directors, ballet masters, choreographers
- Evidence of professional engagement (contracts, programmes, reviews)
For the evidence pack and rejection patterns, read our Dancer or Choreographer skills assessment guide.
Realistic timeline
- 189 (Independent PR): ~12-24 months end-to-end
- 190 (state-nominated PR): ~12-24 months end-to-end
- 491 (regional provisional → 191 PR): ~60 months end-to-end
- 494 (employer-sponsored regional → 191 PR): ~60 months end-to-end
- 858 (Distinguished Talent): 6-18 months end-to-end
Verify processing time bands on the global visa processing times tool.
Costs at a glance
For a typical 189 pathway with a family of three:
- VETASSESS skills assessment: AUD 1,096 per the VETASSESS fees page
- 189 visa fee (primary): AUD 4,890
- Health, police, English: AUD 1,050
For 858 Distinguished Talent: AUD 4,995 (primary applicant base charge) plus dependants. No VETASSESS required.
Read the breakdown in our Dancer or Choreographer cost and timeline case study. Use the visa fee calculator to model dependants.
Common mistakes
- Lodging 186 DE / 482 EOIs. Both closed for 211112.
- Confusing with Actor (211111) / Entertainer (211113). Pick the code matching your dominant performance discipline.
- Underestimating the 858 option. Internationally recognised dancers / choreographers should explore Subclass 858 first.
Tools
- Eligibility wizard — quick scan of which visa streams might fit
- ANZSCO search — confirm 211112 vs 211111 / 211113 / 211199
- Document checklist — for VETASSESS + visa application
- Visa fee calculator — model fees for 189, 190, 491, 494, or 858
- Invitation rounds tracker — for 189 round cut-offs
To verify any migration agent advising you, search the MARA register.
Next step
Professional dance / choreography career and a target Australian company in mind? Start with the eligibility wizard. Book a 30-minute free strategy call to map your specific pathway.