Migrate to Australia as Health and Welfare Services Manager NEC (ANZSCO 134299) — 2026 Pathway

Health and Welfare Services Manager NEC sits on the Short-Term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL). The federal data file for ANZSCO 134299 confirms three open channels: Subclass 190, 491, and 494.

What's not available: Subclass 189, 186 Direct Entry, and 482 — closed for 134299.

This guide walks through each open pathway, the VETASSESS skills assessment, and a realistic timeline. Because 134299 is a residual code, choosing the right code is the first decision.

Should you use 134299 or a specific code?

Try the specific codes first. They have broader visa access:

Use 134299 if none fits — typically:

• Practice manager at a large multi-clinician GP / specialist practice
• Allied health practice manager
• Aged-care service manager (smaller-scale than 134213)
• Disability service manager
• Diagnostic imaging or pathology service manager
• Health promotion service manager
• Drug and alcohol service manager (where the service is not large enough to fit 134213/134214)

Open pathways at a glance

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 as eligibility lists vary

Pathway 2 — Subclass 491 (regional provisional → 191 PR)

Subclass 491 is provisional for five years. After three years of regional work meeting the Skilled Regional Visa Holder Income Threshold, you transition to Subclass 191 for PR.

Pathway 3 — Subclass 494 (employer-sponsored regional)

Subclass 494 is employer-sponsored, regional postcode, converting to 191 after three years. Requirements:

• Positive VETASSESS skills assessment
• Competent English
• Under 45 at lodgement (limited exemptions)
• Three years post-qualification work experience
• Employer must be an approved Standard Business Sponsor
• Employer nomination citing ANZSCO 134299 with annual salary above the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold

What ANZSCO 134299 covers

134299 captures health and welfare management roles that don't fit the four named codes. The Australian Bureau of Statistics task profile covers:

• Determining strategy for the health or welfare service
• Coordinating service delivery
• Managing P&L (funder agreements, fee-for-service, philanthropy)
• Leading the workforce (clinicians, support staff, administrators)
• Compliance with relevant regulator (e.g. Aged Care Quality Standards, NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, Ahpra)
• Stakeholder coordination — funder, board, community

The VETASSESS skills assessment

VETASSESS is the named assessor for ANZSCO 134299. VETASSESS reviews:

• Tertiary qualification — typically a bachelor degree in health administration, nursing, allied health, business administration, or a closely related discipline
• Minimum five years of post-qualification employment in health / welfare service management
• Reference letters mapping duties to the ANZSCO 134299 task profile
• Evidence of decision authority over service planning, funder agreements, workforce, and budget

Because 134299 is a residual code, VETASSESS pays particular attention to whether the role really doesn't fit one of the specific codes (134211/12/13/14). Be prepared to explain why your role is in 134299 rather than a specific code.

For the evidence pack and rejection patterns, read our Health and Welfare Services Manager NEC 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 Health and Welfare Services Manager NEC cost and timeline case study. Use the visa fee calculator to model dependants.

Common mistakes

• Choosing 134299 when a specific code fits. Specific codes have broader visa access. If your role fits 134211 / 134212 / 134213 / 134214, use that code instead.
• Lodging 189 EOIs. 134299 is on STSOL only — 189 is closed.
• Skipping the regulator check. Your specific service type may be regulated by a sector-specific body (Aged Care Quality Commission, NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, state health departments). Check what registration / accreditation applies to your role.

Tools

• Eligibility wizard — quick scan of which visa streams might fit
• ANZSCO search — confirm 134299 vs 134211 / 134212 / 134213 / 134214
• 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

Health or welfare services management track record and unsure which code fits? Start with the eligibility wizard. Book a 30-minute free strategy call to confirm whether 134299 or a specific code is the right choice.