This guide walks through every realistic pathway for migrating to Australia as a Ship's Surveyor under ANZSCO 231215. 231215 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 231215 skills assessment guide. For worked numbers, see the 231215 cost & timeline case study.
Visa eligibility snapshot
| Visa | Status for 231215 |
|---|---|
| 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 231215 covers
- Class society surveyors — Lloyd's Register, DNV, ABS, BV, ClassNK, RINA, KR
- AMSA flag-state surveyors — Australian-flag commercial vessels
- Port State Control inspectors — AMSA PSC officers
- Hull & Machinery / P&I surveyors — insurer warranty surveys
- Marine Warranty surveyors — offshore project warranty (towage, lift, installation)
- Cargo surveyors / draft surveyors — bulk loading / discharge, hold inspection
- Independent marine consultants — claims investigation, condition surveys, pre-purchase
Pathway A — Subclass 186 Direct Entry (fastest)
Realistic 186 sponsors
- Class societies' Australian offices — Lloyd's Register Australia (Sydney / Perth), DNV Australia, ABS Australia, BV Australia, ClassNK Australia
- AMSA — flag-state and PSC surveyor recruitment
- P&I correspondents / H&M agents — Pandi Services, Asher & Co, Constellation Marine
- Marine Warranty surveyors — Brookes Bell, Charles Taylor MW, Matthews Daniel
- Independent marine consultancies — MAREVA, Marsh JLT Specialty Marine
Pathway B — Subclass 482 Core Skills
482 → 186 TRT after 2 years.
Pathway C — Subclass 494 → 191
Regional pathway — Karratha / Broome / Dampier (offshore O&G surveys), Port Hedland / Dampier (iron ore draft surveys), Gladstone / Townsville (LNG / coal), Darwin (Inpex Ichthys), regional shipping ports.
Common mistakes that cost ship's surveyors their assessment
Confusing 231215 with 231213 Master / 231212 Engineer. Active sea command / engine room = 231213 / 231212. Office-based / shore-based survey = 231215.
Class society survey experience without sea-going CoC. Most class society surveyor pathways require prior STCW Master Mariner II/2 or STCW Chief Engineer III/2 plus class society training programme — make sure both are documented.
Marine engineering degree alone. Marine surveyors generally need either CoC + sea time OR engineering degree + significant marine surveyor experience.
Tools to plan your pathway
- Eligibility wizard
- Visa fee calculator
- ANZSCO search — confirm 231215 vs 231212 / 231213 / 231214
- Document checklist
Where to verify the rules
- Department of Home Affairs
- AMSA — Australian Maritime Safety Authority
- International Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS)
- Lloyd's Register, DNV, ABS, BV, ClassNK
Next step
Want to model 186 vs 494 vs 482 against your marine surveyor profile and class society credentials? Book a 30-minute free strategy call.