Railway Station Manager sits on the Regional Occupation List (ROL). The federal data file for ANZSCO 149412 confirms only one open channel: Subclass 494 employer-sponsored regional.
What's not available: Subclass 189, 190, 491, 186 Direct Entry, and 482 — all closed for 149412.
This guide walks through the only open pathway, the VETASSESS skills assessment, and a realistic timeline.
Open pathway at a glance
| Visa | Status | Speed to PR | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subclass 494 (Regional Employer) | Open ✅ | ~60 months | Provisional 5y → 191 PR after 3y regional |
| Subclass 189 / 190 / 491 / 186 DE / 482 | Closed | — | Not available for this code |
Pathway — Subclass 494 (employer-sponsored regional)
Subclass 494 is employer-sponsored, regional postcode, converting to 191 after three years. Requirements:
- Positive VETASSESS skills assessment
- Competent English (IELTS 6 each band, OET / PTE / TOEFL / CAE equivalent)
- Under 45 at lodgement (limited exemptions)
- Three years post-qualification work experience
- Employer must be an approved Standard Business Sponsor operating in a regional postcode
- Employer nomination citing ANZSCO 149412 with annual salary above the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold
Realistic 494 sponsors include regional rail network operators — Sydney Trains regional / NSW TrainLink, V/Line (regional Victoria), Queensland Rail (regional QLD), Aurizon, Pacific National, and other freight rail operators with regional stations.
What ANZSCO 149412 covers
Railway Station Manager is the railway station operations management code. Typical roles:
- Station Manager at a regional rail interchange
- Group Station Manager (multiple regional stations)
- Passenger Operations Manager at a rail network
- Station Customer Service Manager
The Australian Bureau of Statistics task profile covers:
- Operating the station — passenger flow, ticketing, information, retail concessions
- Managing the station P&L (where applicable — concessions revenue, advertising)
- Recruiting and supervising station staff (customer service, security, cleaning)
- Compliance with Office of National Rail Safety Regulator (ONRSR) standards, Safe Work Australia WHS, accessibility requirements
- Customer service — complaints, lost property, accessibility assistance
- Station safety — emergency response, evacuation, security coordination
- Asset and infrastructure management — escalators, lifts, platform safety
The VETASSESS skills assessment
VETASSESS is the named assessor for ANZSCO 149412. VETASSESS reviews:
- Tertiary qualification — typically a bachelor degree in transport / logistics management, business administration, or a closely related discipline
- Minimum five years of post-qualification employment in railway station / passenger operations management
- Reference letters mapping duties to the ANZSCO 149412 task profile
- Evidence of decision authority over station operations, staff, and safety
For the evidence pack and rejection patterns, read our Railway Station Manager skills assessment guide.
Realistic timeline
- 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 5,000/year (large business — rail network operators count)
Read the breakdown in our Railway Station Manager cost and timeline case study. Use the visa fee calculator to model dependants.
Common mistakes
- Lodging 189 / 190 / 491 / 186 DE / 482 EOIs. All closed for 149412.
- Confusing with transport company manager (149413). ANZSCO 149413 is broader transport business management. 149412 is specifically railway station operations.
- Underestimating ONRSR rail safety standards. Australian rail safety operates under specific ONRSR standards.
Tools
- Eligibility wizard — quick scan of which visa streams might fit
- ANZSCO search — confirm 149412 vs 149413 / 149411
- Document checklist — for VETASSESS + visa application
- Visa fee calculator — model fees for 494
- Invitation rounds tracker — context only
To verify any migration agent advising you, search the MARA register.
Next step
Railway station / passenger operations management track record and a target Australian regional rail sponsor in mind? Start with the eligibility wizard. Book a 30-minute free strategy call to map your specific pathway.