Quality Assurance Manager sits on the Short-Term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) and the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL). The federal data file for ANZSCO 139914 confirms five open channels: Subclass 190, 491, 186 Direct Entry, 494, and 482 Core Skills.
What's not available: Subclass 189 — closed because 139914 is not on MLTSSL.
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 186 Direct Entry | Open ✅ | 6-18 months | Direct PR via employer sponsor — fastest |
| Subclass 190 (State PR) | Open ✅ | 12-24 months | Direct PR with state nomination (+5 points) |
| 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 482 Core Skills | Open ✅ | 30-36 months | Up to 4y employer-sponsored, transitions to 186 TRT |
| Subclass 189 | Closed | — | Not on MLTSSL |
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 139914 with annual salary above the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold
Realistic 186 Direct Entry sponsors include pharma manufacturers (CSL, Mayne Pharma, Sun Pharma, Apotex), medical device manufacturers (Cochlear, ResMed, Atomo Diagnostics), food and beverage majors (Lion, Asahi, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, Mondelez, Nestlé, George Weston Foods), automotive components suppliers, aerospace (BAE Systems Australia, Boeing Defence Australia), and construction contractors (Lendlease, John Holland, CIMIC, Multiplex).
Pathway 2 — Subclass 190 (state-nominated PR)
Subclass 190 is direct PR with state nomination adding 5 points.
Pathway 3 — 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 4 — Subclass 494 (employer-sponsored regional)
Subclass 494 is the regional cousin of 482 → employer-sponsored, regional postcode, converts to 191 after three years.
Pathway 5 — 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 139914 covers
Quality Assurance Manager is the cross-organisation QA leadership code. Typical roles:
- Head of Quality / QA Manager / QC Manager
- Quality Director (pharma / medical device / aerospace)
- Compliance Manager (regulated industries)
- ISO 9001 / IATF 16949 / AS-9100 / GMP / ISO 13485 systems leader
- Process Improvement / Continuous Improvement Manager (with QA scope)
- Customer Quality Manager (automotive / aerospace OEMs)
The Australian Bureau of Statistics task profile covers:
- Determining quality strategy and management system architecture
- Maintaining ISO 9001 / ISO 13485 / IATF 16949 / AS-9100 / GMP / TGA certification
- Leading internal audit and management review
- Supplier quality management — qualification, surveillance, escalation
- Customer complaints, root-cause analysis, corrective and preventive actions (CAPA)
- Quality system training and awareness
- Compliance with regulatory bodies (TGA, FSANZ, CASA, state EPA)
- Managing the QA P&L and team
The VETASSESS skills assessment
VETASSESS is the named assessor for ANZSCO 139914. VETASSESS reviews:
- Tertiary qualification — typically a bachelor degree in engineering, science, food technology, pharmacy, manufacturing, or a closely related discipline
- Minimum five years of post-qualification employment in QA leadership
- Reference letters mapping duties to the ANZSCO 139914 task profile
- Evidence of decision authority over quality systems, audits, and team
For the evidence pack and rejection patterns, read our Quality Assurance Manager skills assessment guide.
Realistic timeline
- 186 Direct Entry: 6-18 months from VETASSESS lodgement to grant if employer is set up
- 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
- 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 one-off (large business) or AUD 3,000 (small business)
Read the breakdown in our Quality Assurance Manager cost and timeline case study. Use the visa fee calculator to model dependants.
Common mistakes
- Confusing with QC inspector / IC roles. Quality inspector / QC technician roles are typically Skill Level 3-4 codes. ANZSCO 139914 needs management scope.
- Confusing with 139916 (Quality Assurance Manager — alt). ANZSCO has a duplicate / alternative entry. Check which code your role aligns to before lodging.
- Lodging 189 EOIs. 139914 is on STSOL/CSOL only — 189 is closed.
Tools
- Eligibility wizard — quick scan of which visa streams might fit
- ANZSCO search — confirm 139914 vs 139916 / Skill Level 3-4 QC codes
- Document checklist — for VETASSESS + visa application
- Visa fee calculator — model fees for any of the five open visas
- Invitation rounds tracker — for state nomination round context
To verify any migration agent advising you, search the MARA register.
Next step
QA leadership track record and an Australian employer in mind? Start with the eligibility wizard. Book a 30-minute free strategy call to map your specific pathway.