Hospitality, Retail and Service Managers NEC sits on the Regional Occupation List (ROL) and the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL). The federal data file for ANZSCO 149999 confirms three open channels — all employer-sponsored: Subclass 186 Direct Entry, 494, and 482 Core Skills.
What's not available: Subclass 189, 190, and 491 — closed for 149999.
This guide walks through each open pathway, the VETASSESS skills assessment, and a realistic timeline. Because 149999 is a residual code, code-fit is the first decision.
Should you use 149999 or a specific code?
Try the specific 14xxxx codes first — they typically have broader visa access:
- 142111 Retail Manager General — for general retail
- 141111 Cafe or Restaurant Manager — for cafe / restaurant
- 141311 Hotel or Motel Manager — for hotel / motel
- 142114 Hair or Beauty Salon Manager — for salons
- 149913 Facilities Manager — for FM
- 149915 Equipment Hire Manager — for hire businesses
Use 149999 if none fits — typically:
- Funeral Director / Funeral Home Manager
- Dry Cleaning Plant / Laundromat Manager
- Personal Services Manager (e.g. tailor / dressmaker shop, shoe repair)
- Specialty service manager not elsewhere classified
Open pathways at a glance
| Visa | Status | Speed to PR | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subclass 186 Direct Entry | Open ✅ | 6-18 months | Direct PR via employer sponsor — fastest |
| Subclass 494 (Regional Employer) | Open ✅ | ~60 months | Provisional 5y → 191 PR after 3y regional |
| Subclass 482 Core Skills | Open ✅ | 30-36 months | Up to 4y employer-sponsored, transitions to 186 TRT |
| Subclass 189 / 190 / 491 | Closed | — | Not available for this code |
Pathway 1 — Subclass 186 Direct Entry (fastest)
Subclass 186 Direct Entry is direct PR via an employer sponsor. Requirements:
- Positive VETASSESS skills assessment
- Competent English (IELTS 6 each band, OET / PTE / TOEFL / CAE equivalent)
- Under 45 at lodgement (limited exemptions)
- At least three years post-qualification work experience
- Employer must be an approved Standard Business Sponsor
- Employer nomination citing ANZSCO 149999 with annual salary above the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold
Realistic 186 Direct Entry sponsors include funeral home groups (InvoCare, Tobin Brothers, Le Pine), large dry-cleaning networks, specialty service operators, and large independent service businesses.
Pathway 2 — Subclass 494 (employer-sponsored regional)
Subclass 494 is the regional cousin of 186 → employer-sponsored, regional postcode, converts to 191 after three years.
Pathway 3 — Subclass 482 Core Skills
Subclass 482 is up to four years employer-sponsored. After 24 months with the same sponsor, you can transition to Subclass 186 TRT for PR if you are under 45.
What ANZSCO 149999 covers
149999 captures hospitality / retail / service manager roles that don't fit any specific 14xxxx code. The Australian Bureau of Statistics task profile covers leadership of a service / hospitality / retail venue not specifically listed elsewhere.
The VETASSESS skills assessment
VETASSESS is the named assessor for ANZSCO 149999. VETASSESS reviews:
- Tertiary qualification — typically a bachelor degree in business administration, hospitality, or a closely related discipline
- Minimum five years of post-qualification employment in the relevant service sector management
- Reference letters mapping duties to the ANZSCO 149999 task profile
- A clear "why this code, not a specific code" explanation
- Evidence of decision authority over service venue P&L, staff, and operations
For the evidence pack and rejection patterns, read our Hospitality, Retail and Service Managers NEC skills assessment guide.
Realistic timeline
- 186 Direct Entry: 6-18 months from VETASSESS lodgement to grant if employer is set up
- 494 (employer-sponsored regional → 191 PR): ~60 months end-to-end
- 482 → 186 TRT: ~30-36 months end-to-end
Verify processing time bands on the global visa processing times tool.
Costs at a glance
For a typical 186 Direct Entry pathway with a family of three:
- VETASSESS skills assessment: AUD 1,096 per the VETASSESS fees page
- 186 visa fee (primary): AUD 4,910
- Health, police, English: AUD 1,050
- Employer SAF levy: AUD 5,000 (large business) or AUD 3,000 (small business) one-off
Read the breakdown in our Hospitality, Retail and Service Managers NEC cost and timeline case study. Use the visa fee calculator to model dependants.
Common mistakes
- Choosing 149999 when a specific code fits. Specific codes have clearer assessment criteria and often broader visa access. Try them first.
- Lodging 189 / 190 / 491 EOIs. All closed for 149999.
- Title without substance. VETASSESS scrutinises 149999 cases harder.
Tools
- Eligibility wizard — quick scan of which visa streams might fit
- ANZSCO search — try specific 14xxxx codes first
- Document checklist — for VETASSESS + visa application
- Visa fee calculator — model fees for 186, 494, or 482
- Invitation rounds tracker — context only
To verify any migration agent advising you, search the MARA register.
Next step
Hospitality / retail / service management track record and unsure whether 149999 or a specific code fits? Start with the eligibility wizard. Book a 30-minute free strategy call to confirm the right code and pathway.