This guide walks through every realistic pathway for migrating to Australia as a Financial Investment Adviser under ANZSCO 222311. 222311 sits on the STSOL AND CSOL — meaning Subclass 190, Subclass 491, Subclass 186 Direct Entry, Subclass 494, and Subclass 482 Core Skills are all open. Subclass 189 Independent is closed.
For the assessing-authority detail, see the Financial Investment Adviser skills assessment guide. For worked numbers, see the Financial Investment Adviser cost & timeline case study.
Visa eligibility snapshot
| Visa | Status for 222311 |
|---|---|
| Subclass 189 (Independent points-tested) | Closed |
| 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 ✅ |
Post-arrival ASIC FAR + FASEA requirements
Financial Investment Adviser is a regulated occupation. To legally provide personal financial advice in Australia, you must:
- Be listed on ASIC Financial Advisers Register (FAR) via an AFSL holder
- Hold an approved degree under FASEA / Financial Services and Credit Reform standards
- Complete the Professional Year (PY) — typically 1500 hours over 12 months
- Pass the Financial Adviser Exam — Treasury-approved national exam
- Maintain CPD — 40 hours/year minimum
Existing experienced advisers from comparable jurisdictions (UK / Canada / NZ / SA) often qualify for transitional / experienced pathway. Bridging via Graduate Diploma of Financial Planning is common.
Pathway A — Subclass 186 Direct Entry (fastest)
Subclass 186 Direct Entry is direct PR with employer sponsorship.
Realistic 186 sponsors for financial advisers
- Big 4 bank private wealth / advice arms — CBA Financial Planning, Westpac BT Financial Group, NAB JBWere, ANZ Private
- Major Australian wealth managers — Macquarie Wealth Management, AMP, IOOF / Insignia
- Major financial planning networks — Magellan Group, Financial Planning Association (FPA) member firms, AFSL aggregators
- Boutique financial advice firms — high-net-worth specialist firms (Crestone, Escala Partners, JBS Financial)
- Private wealth at investment banks — Macquarie Private Wealth, UBS Wealth Management Australia
Pathway B — Subclass 482 Core Skills
Subclass 482 Core Skills is temporary (4 years). 482 → 186 TRT after 2 years.
Pathway C — Subclass 190 / 491 / 494
State-nominated and regional pathways.
Common mistakes that cost financial advisers their assessment
Underestimating FASEA / FAR requirements. Australia's adviser regulatory regime is strict — plan post-arrival education / Professional Year carefully.
Confusing 222311 (adviser) with 222312 (Investment Manager). Adviser provides personal advice to clients. Investment Manager manages portfolios institutionally without retail client advice.
Underclaiming English. 190 / 491 / 186 are points-tested or English-gated. Push for Superior English (IELTS 8 / PTE 79).
Tools to plan your pathway
- Eligibility wizard — quick filter
- Visa fee calculator — estimate fees per pathway
- ANZSCO search — confirm 222311 vs 222312 / 222113
- Document checklist — VETASSESS evidence
- Invitation rounds tracker — context only
Where to verify the rules
- Department of Home Affairs
- VETASSESS
- ASIC Financial Advisers Register (FAR)
- Financial Adviser Standards — FASEA successor body
- Financial Advice Association Australia (FAAA) — peak body
Next step
Want to model 186 vs 190 vs 491 vs 494 vs 482 against your financial advisory profile, including ASIC FAR / FASEA planning? Book a 30-minute free strategy call. We will work through pathway choice and post-arrival registration planning.