Changes to the Green List from March 2027

The Green List is being updated from 8 March 2027 following the announcement of new Skilled Migrant Category (SMC) residence pathways in August 2026.  

The changes will remove occupations where there is overlap between the Green List and the new SMC pathways and help keep residence settings clear and targeted.

From 8 March 2027:

• 13 occupations will be removed from the Work to Residence pathway, as they are on the new SMC Trades and Technician pathway
• 4 occupations will be removed from the Work to Residence pathway that will have an alternative residence pathway through the SMC Skilled Work Experience pathway
• 4 special education teaching occupations will move to the Straight to Residence pathway
• Career Counsellor will be removed from the Green List  
• The Green List eligibility criteria for Sterilisation Technicians will change.

People who start qualifying work in an affected Work to Residence occupation before 8 March 2027 can continue to count that work experience towards the 24-month requirement. This includes qualifying work completed after the occupation is removed from the Green List. They must still meet all other Work to Residence requirements.

Employers can continue recruiting migrants for these occupations through the Accredited Employer Work Visa. However, occupations removed from the Green List will no longer qualify for Green List advertising exemptions or priority processing for Job Checks and visa applications.

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