This guide walks through every realistic pathway for migrating to Australia as a Ship's Engineer under ANZSCO 231212. 231212 sits on the ROL + CSOL — meaning Subclass 186 Direct Entry, Subclass 494, and Subclass 482 Core Skills are open. Subclass 189, Subclass 190, and Subclass 491 are NOT open.
For the assessing-authority detail, see the 231212 skills assessment guide. For worked numbers, see the 231212 cost & timeline case study.
Visa eligibility snapshot
| Visa | Status for 231212 |
|---|---|
| Subclass 189 (Independent points-tested) | Closed |
| Subclass 190 (State-nominated PR) | Closed |
| Subclass 491 (Regional Provisional) | Closed |
| Subclass 186 Direct Entry | Open ✅ |
| Subclass 482 Core Skills | Open ✅ |
| Subclass 494 (Skilled Employer-sponsored Regional) | Open ✅ |
What ANZSCO 231212 covers
- Chief Engineer (STCW III/2) — large commercial vessels, large OSVs
- Second Engineer (STCW III/1) — engineer officer in charge of an engine watch
- Engineer Officer of the Watch (STCW III/3) — entry STCW certified watch-keeping
- Engineer Officer (motor / steam / diesel-electric / hybrid propulsion)
- Offshore Support Vessel engineers — DP-rated PSV / AHTS / construction vessels
Pathway A — Subclass 186 Direct Entry (fastest)
Realistic 186 sponsors
- Major shipping operators — ANL Container Line, Sea Swift, BHP shipping operations, Rio Tinto Marine
- Offshore O&G OSV operators — Solstad Offshore, MMA Offshore, Inpex North West Shelf charter operators
- Tug / harbour services — Svitzer Australia, Smit Lamnalco
- Defence-adjacent shipbuilding — ASC Pty Ltd (submarines), Austal (Henderson WA), Civmec
- Cruise / passenger — P&O Australia (where vessels operate domestic), TT-Line (Spirit of Tasmania)
- Rio Tinto / BHP / Fortescue — iron-ore and bulk handling self-discharge vessels (Pilbara)
Pathway B — Subclass 482 Core Skills
482 → 186 TRT after 2 years.
Pathway C — Subclass 494 → 191
Strong regional pathway — Perth / Karratha / Broome (offshore + iron ore), Townsville / Gladstone (LNG export), Darwin (Inpex Ichthys), Devonport / Hobart (TasPorts).
Common mistakes that cost ship's engineers their assessment
Sea time gaps. AMSA expects continuous engine watch service log.
STCW endorsement currency lapsed. Basic Safety Training, Advanced Fire Fighting, Medical First Aid, GMDSS — renewal cycles vary.
Class society course requirements. DP-rated PSV / AHTS engineers need DP basic / advanced cert; LNG-tanker engineers need cargo familiarisation cert.
Tools to plan your pathway
- Eligibility wizard
- Visa fee calculator
- ANZSCO search — confirm 231212 vs 231214 / 231215
- Document checklist
Where to verify the rules
- Department of Home Affairs
- AMSA — Australian Maritime Safety Authority
- Australian Institute of Marine and Power Engineers
Next step
Want to model 186 vs 494 vs 482 against your engineer officer profile and CoC class? Book a 30-minute free strategy call.