Post Office Manager sits on the Regional Occupation List (ROL). The federal data file for ANZSCO 142115 confirms two open channels: Subclass 491 and 494 — both regional.
What's not available: Subclass 189, 190, 186 Direct Entry, and 482 — closed for 142115.
This guide walks through each open pathway, the VETASSESS skills assessment, and a realistic timeline.
Open pathways at a glance
| Visa | Status | Speed to PR | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subclass 491 (Regional Provisional) | Open ✅ | ~60 months | Provisional 5y → 191 PR after 3y regional |
| Subclass 494 (Regional Employer) | Open ✅ | ~60 months | Provisional 5y → 191 PR after 3y regional |
| Subclass 189 / 190 / 186 DE / 482 | Closed | — | Not available for this code |
Pathway 1 — Subclass 491 (regional provisional → 191 PR)
Subclass 491 is provisional for five years. Requirements:
- Positive VETASSESS skills assessment
- Competent English (IELTS 6 each band, OET / PTE / TOEFL / CAE equivalent)
- Under 45 at lodgement
- Points score (491 adds +15 points for state or family nomination)
- State nomination OR eligible relative sponsor in regional Australia
After three years of regional work meeting the Skilled Regional Visa Holder Income Threshold, you transition to Subclass 191 for PR.
Pathway 2 — Subclass 494 (employer-sponsored regional)
Subclass 494 is employer-sponsored, regional postcode, converting to 191 after three years.
Realistic 494 sponsors include Australia Post Corporate Post Offices in regional centres, plus Licensed Post Office (LPO) operators (often combined with newsagency or general store operations) in regional Australia.
What ANZSCO 142115 covers
Post Office Manager is the postal-services management code. Typical roles:
- Manager of an Australia Post Corporate Post Office (CPO)
- Licensed Post Office (LPO) operator (often combined with newsagency / general store)
- Postal Manager at an Australia Post Business Hub
- Manager at a parcel-distribution-focused outlet (StarTrack / Australia Post combined)
The Australian Bureau of Statistics task profile covers:
- Operating the post office under Australia Post operational standards
- Mail and parcel processing — receipt, sortation, dispatch
- Retail counter operations — postage, money order, bill payment, banking (Bank@Post services), passport applications
- Cash management and reconciliation
- Workforce management — counter staff, sorters, posties (where on-site)
- Compliance with Australia Post operational standards, Universal Service Obligations
- Customer service and dispute resolution
- Local marketing and community engagement
The VETASSESS skills assessment
VETASSESS is the named assessor for ANZSCO 142115. VETASSESS reviews:
- Tertiary qualification — typically a bachelor degree in business administration, retail / post-office management, or a closely related discipline. Diploma + extensive postal-services management experience may also be considered.
- Minimum five years of post-qualification employment in postal services / post office management
- Reference letters mapping duties to the ANZSCO 142115 task profile
- Evidence of decision authority over post office operations, staff, and budget
For the evidence pack and rejection patterns, read our Post Office Manager skills assessment guide.
Realistic timeline
- 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 494 → 191 pathway with a family of three:
- VETASSESS skills assessment: AUD 1,096 per the VETASSESS fees page
- 494 visa fee (primary): AUD 5,180
- 191 visa fee (primary): AUD 535
- Health, police, English: AUD 600-1,200
- Employer SAF levy: AUD 1,200/year (small business — most LPOs qualify)
Read the breakdown in our Post Office Manager cost and timeline case study. Use the visa fee calculator to model dependants.
Common mistakes
- Lodging 189 / 190 / 186 DE / 482 EOIs. All closed for 142115.
- Confusing with general retail (142111). General retail has different visa access (186 DE / 494 / 482). 142115 is specifically post office services.
- Underestimating Australia Post operational standards. LPO and CPO operations require strict adherence to Australia Post standards. Reference letters demonstrating equivalent overseas postal-services experience strengthen the case.
Tools
- Eligibility wizard — quick scan of which visa streams might fit
- ANZSCO search — confirm 142115 vs 142111 / 142116
- Document checklist — for VETASSESS + visa application
- Visa fee calculator — model fees for 491 or 494
- Invitation rounds tracker — context only
To verify any migration agent advising you, search the MARA register.
Next step
Postal services / post office management track record and a target Australian region in mind? Start with the eligibility wizard. Book a 30-minute free strategy call to map your specific pathway.