This is a 2026 step-by-step pathway guide for a Maintenance Planner migrating to Australia under ANZSCO 312911. 312911 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 312911 cost & timeline case study. For VETASSESS document details see the skills assessment guide.
Step 1 — Confirm 312911 is the right code
ANZSCO 312911 covers maintenance planning / scheduling work — preventive maintenance program development, work-order management (preparation, planning, scheduling, execution monitoring, close-out), shutdown / turnaround / outage planning, resource levelling (labour, plant, parts, contractors), critical-path scheduling (P6 / MS Project / Asta), task-list / equipment-hierarchy management, parts and spares planning, contractor work-package preparation, KPI reporting (schedule compliance, PM compliance, wrench time, schedule attainment, work-order backlog), and integration with reliability / condition-monitoring outputs.
If you're a chartered mechanical engineer with design responsibility, 233512 fits better. If you're a reliability-focused technician without planning duties, 312512 fits.
Step 2 — VETASSESS skills assessment
VETASSESS (vetassess.com.au) handles 312911. Standard requirements:
- Qualification — at least AQF Diploma / Advanced Diploma / Bachelor in Mechanical / Electrical / Maintenance / Reliability / Engineering Technology, or trade-based pathway with substantial planning experience.
- Skilled employment — at least 1 year highly relevant in the 5 years before applying (post-qualification).
- Reference letters must show majority time on planning / scheduling 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 312911 is on MLTSSL — confirm at EOI. 190 / 491 are realistic.
Subclass 186 / 494 / 482
Main 312911 employers:
- Mining majors / contractors — BHP, Rio Tinto, Fortescue, Newmont, Northern Star, South32, IGO, BMA, Anglo American, Glencore, Whitehaven; plus UGL, Monadelphous, Civmec, Macmahon, Thiess, Roy Hill, Mineral Resources.
- Oil & gas operators / EPCs — Woodside Energy, Chevron Australia, INPEX, Santos, Origin, Shell + Worley, Wood, KBR.
- Power generation — AGL, Origin, EnergyAustralia, Snowy Hydro, Stanwell, CleanCo, Synergy, ENGIE.
- Rail — Aurizon, Pacific National, Sydney Trains, Metro Trains Melbourne, V/Line, Queensland Rail.
- Manufacturing — Bluescope, Orica, Incitec Pivot, Saputo, Bega, JBS, Inghams, Baiada.
- Tier 1 facility management — Programmed, Spotless, Compass Group, Sodexo Australia, Skout Solutions, Ventia, ISS.
- Defence support — BAE Systems Australia, Boeing Defence, Thales, Saab, ASC (submarines), Civmec, Austal.
- Water utilities — Sydney Water, Yarra Valley Water, Urban Utilities, Water Corporation WA, SA Water.
Step 5 — Score / Step 6 — Submit
Use points calculator. Lodge via SkillSelect.
Tools
Authoritative sources
Next step
Want to map your maintenance planner profile against 189 vs 190 vs 491 vs 186 vs 494 vs 482? Book a 30-minute free strategy call.