Facilities Manager sits on the Short-Term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL). The federal data file for ANZSCO 149913 confirms three open channels: Subclass 190, 491, and 494.
What's not available: Subclass 189, 186 Direct Entry, and 482 — closed for 149913.
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 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 189 / 186 DE / 482 | Closed | — | Not available for this code |
Pathway 1 — Subclass 190 (state-nominated PR)
Subclass 190 is direct PR with state nomination adding 5 points. Requirements:
- Positive VETASSESS skills assessment
- Competent English (IELTS 6 each band, OET / PTE / TOEFL / CAE equivalent)
- Under 45 at lodgement
- Points score (typically 80-90+ once state nomination is included)
- State nomination — confirm against live state portals
Pathway 2 — Subclass 491 (regional provisional → 191 PR)
Subclass 491 is provisional for five years, converting to Subclass 191 after three years of regional residence.
Pathway 3 — Subclass 494 (employer-sponsored regional)
Subclass 494 is employer-sponsored, regional postcode, converting to 191 after three years.
Realistic 494 sponsors include integrated facilities management providers (CBRE, JLL, Cushman & Wakefield, Colliers, ISS, Sodexo, Compass Group), shopping centre owners (Vicinity Centres, Scentre Group, GPT, Mirvac, Lendlease), large hospital networks, university campus services, government property agencies, and major regional industrial / mining facilities.
What ANZSCO 149913 covers
Facilities Manager is the building / property operations management code. Typical roles:
- Facilities Manager / FM at a commercial building
- Centre Manager at a shopping centre
- Campus Services Manager at a university
- Hospital Facilities Manager
- Multi-site Facilities Director (corporate real estate)
- Property Operations Manager
- Asset Manager (built environment focus)
The Australian Bureau of Statistics task profile covers:
- Operating the facility — building services (HVAC, lifts, lighting, plumbing), security, cleaning, landscaping
- Managing the FM P&L (capex, opex, energy, contractor spend)
- Vendor management — subcontractor SLAs, performance reviews, RFP / tender management
- Compliance with Safe Work Australia WHS, National Construction Code, Disability Discrimination Act accessibility, fire safety, asbestos management
- Sustainability — NABERS / Green Star ratings, energy efficiency programs
- Tenant / occupant relations — service requests, fit-out coordination, lease compliance
The VETASSESS skills assessment
VETASSESS is the named assessor for ANZSCO 149913. VETASSESS reviews:
- Tertiary qualification — typically a bachelor degree in property management / facilities management, building services / engineering, business administration, or a closely related discipline
- Minimum five years of post-qualification employment in facilities management
- Reference letters mapping duties to the ANZSCO 149913 task profile
- Evidence of decision authority over facility operations, vendors, and budget
For the evidence pack and rejection patterns, read our Facilities Manager skills assessment guide.
Realistic timeline
- 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
Verify processing time bands on the global visa processing times tool.
Costs at a glance
For a typical 190 pathway with a family of three:
- VETASSESS skills assessment: AUD 1,096 per the VETASSESS fees page
- 190 visa fee (primary): AUD 4,890
- State nomination fee: AUD 200-800
- Health, police, English: AUD 1,050
Read the breakdown in our Facilities Manager cost and timeline case study. Use the visa fee calculator to model dependants.
Common mistakes
- Confusing with property valuer / agent codes. Property Manager (612112) and Real Estate Agent (612115) are different codes. ANZSCO 149913 is operational facilities management — building services, vendor coordination, capex.
- Lodging 189 / 186 DE / 482 EOIs. All closed for 149913.
- Underestimating NABERS / Green Star sustainability frameworks. Australian commercial building operation increasingly requires sustainability ratings literacy.
Tools
- Eligibility wizard — quick scan of which visa streams might fit
- ANZSCO search — confirm 149913 vs 612112 / 612115
- Document checklist — for VETASSESS + visa application
- Visa fee calculator — model fees for 190, 491, or 494
- Invitation rounds tracker — for state nomination round context
To verify any migration agent advising you, search the MARA register.
Next step
Facilities management track record and a target Australian region in mind? Start with the eligibility wizard. Book a 30-minute free strategy call to map your specific pathway.