This is a 2026 step-by-step pathway guide for a Hydrographer migrating to Australia under ANZSCO 311415. 311415 is on CSOL with state nomination availability — full skilled visa stack: Subclass 189 Independent (where listed), Subclass 190 State-Nominated, Subclass 491 Regional Provisional → 191 PR, Subclass 186 Direct Entry, Subclass 494 Regional Employer → 191, and Subclass 482 Core Skills → 186 TRT.
For the cost / timeline view see the 311415 cost & timeline case study. For VETASSESS document details see the skills assessment guide.
Step 1 — Confirm 311415 is the right code
ANZSCO 311415 covers hydrographic survey work — bathymetric surveys (single-beam, multibeam — Kongsberg EM2040 / EM710, Reson SeaBat, R2Sonic, Norbit), side-scan sonar (Klein, EdgeTech, JW Fishers), sub-bottom profiling (Edgetech SB, Teledyne Chirp), magnetometer surveys, ROV / AUV operations, positioning (DGPS, RTK, USBL — Sonardyne Ranger / Fusion, LBL), tide / water-level monitoring, dredging surveys (pre / post / progress), pipeline / cable route surveys, port and harbour surveys, hydrographic chart compilation (S-57 / S-100, ENC), nautical charting compliance, and inland-water hydrography (river / dam / canal bathymetry).
If you're a topographic / cadastral / engineering surveyor on land, 312116 Surveying or Spatial Science Technician or 232212 Surveyor may fit better.
Step 2 — VETASSESS skills assessment
VETASSESS (vetassess.com.au) handles 311415. Standard requirements:
- Qualification — at least AQF Bachelor degree (Bachelor of Hydrography / Surveying / Marine Science / Geomatics / Civil Engineering with hydrographic specialisation / Geographic Information Systems).
- Skilled employment — at least 1 year highly relevant in the 5 years before applying (post-qualification).
- Reference letters must show majority time on hydrographic / bathymetric / charting work.
Standard turnaround 12-16 weeks.
Step 3 — English
EOI lodgement requires Competent English. For points-tested visas, target Proficient (10 pts) or Superior (20 pts).
Step 4 — Choose a visa pathway
Subclass 189 / 190 / 491
189 if 311415 is on MLTSSL — confirm at EOI. 190 / 491 are realistic — Australia's coastline (the third-largest exclusive economic zone in the world) plus large offshore oil / gas / wind infrastructure drive consistent demand.
Subclass 186 / 494 / 482
Main 311415 employers:
- Government — Australian Hydrographic Office (RAN / Defence at Wollongong), Geoscience Australia (Canberra), state port authorities (Port of Newcastle, Sydney Ports, Port of Melbourne, Port of Brisbane, Pilbara Ports Authority, Flinders Ports SA, Tasports), Maritime Safety Queensland, Transport for NSW Maritime.
- Offshore oil & gas — Woodside Energy, Santos, Chevron Australia, Shell Australia, INPEX Australia, Origin Energy, Esso Australia (ExxonMobil).
- Offshore renewable — Star of the South (Bass Strait), Equinor Wind Australia, BlueFloat Energy, Oceanex.
- Subsea services / survey contractors — Fugro (major employer in Perth / Sydney), Guardian Geomatics, EGS, Total Marine Technology, Dive Works, Neptune Geomatics.
- Consultancies with marine practices — GHD, AECOM, SMEC, Aurecon, Cardno (Stantec), Tonkin & Taylor.
- Dredging / marine construction — Boskalis Australia, Van Oord Australia, Jan De Nul, Subsea 7, McConnell Dowell.
482 / 186 sponsorships flow particularly from Fugro, Woodside, port authorities and offshore-services contractors.
Step 5 — Score / Step 6 — Submit
Use points calculator. Lodge via SkillSelect.
Tools
Authoritative sources
- Home Affairs
- VETASSESS
- Australasian Hydrographic Society (AHS)
- Australian Hydrographic Office
- AHSCP — Certification Panel
- Office of MARA
Next step
Want to map your hydrographer profile against 189 vs 190 vs 491 vs 186 vs 494 vs 482? Book a 30-minute free strategy call.