Meat Inspector — Subclass 186 Pathway
Employer Nomination Scheme visa · Permanent
At a glance
- Visa
- Subclass 186 — Employer Nomination Scheme visa
- Points test
- Not points-tested
- Sponsor
- Employer sponsor required
- Eligibility list
- MLTSSLSTSOLROLCSOL
- Base fee
- from $4,770 (check immi.gov.au for current fee)
- Processing time
- ~6-15 months (median)
Skills assessment for this occupation
Assessing Meat Inspector for migration purposes is handled by: VETASSESS.
Each occupation has a single designated assessing authority — refer to the occupation page for the body that assesses it.
Meat Inspector × Subclass 186 — pathway overview
Meat Inspector (ANZSCO 311312) qualifies for the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme visa through the Regional Occupation List (ROL), enabling meat processing and abattoir employers to sponsor qualified meat inspectors for permanent positions where local recruitment has not been successful. The Subclass 186 is not points-tested. Approved employer sponsorship is mandatory, and the sponsoring organisation must demonstrate through labour market testing that no suitable Australian candidate is available. A positive skills assessment from the relevant primary industries or food safety assessing body is required. Applicants must meet English language proficiency standards and satisfy health and character requirements. Salary must meet or exceed the market rate for comparable positions in Australia. On grant, permanent residency is conferred. Meat Inspector is a specialist occupation that underpins food safety compliance in the Australian agricultural sector, making this a strategically important migration pathway. For advice tailored to your individual circumstances, always consult a registered MARA migration agent.
Content last generated: 2026-06-26
Key requirements
High-level criteria for Subclass 186. Verify every requirement on immi.gov.au before applying.
- Under 45 years of age at application (with limited exemptions)
- Competent English (IELTS 6 or equivalent)
- Nominated by an approved Australian employer
- Positive skills assessment in the nominated occupation (Direct Entry stream)
- At least three years of relevant work experience (Direct Entry stream)
- Health and character requirements
Other visa pathways for Meat Inspector
- 190Details →Skilled Nominated visa
Permanent visa for workers nominated by a state or territory government.
- 482Details →Skills in Demand visa
Employer-sponsored temporary visa (formerly TSS) for occupations on the relevant list.
- 491Details →Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa
Five-year provisional visa for workers willing to live and work in regional Australia.
- 494Details →Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa
Five-year employer-sponsored provisional visa in regional Australia, with a path to PR.
State nominations for Meat Inspector
States currently nominating this occupation — see the dedicated pages for state-specific criteria.