Australia needs skilled machinists and CNC operators

Q: Can a sponsored worker’s family come to Australia with them?

Yes. Partners and dependent children can be included as secondary applicants, each subject to health and character requirements. Partners may work full-time. Secondary applicants are named in the visa grant and hold the same conditions as the primary applicant.

Q: What is the difference between a 482 and a 186 visa?

The Skills in Demand (subclass 482) is a temporary visa, typically granted for up to four years. The Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) is permanent residence. Many 482 holders move to a 186 after two years with the same employer under the Temporary Residence Transition stream, or lodge directly through the Direct Entry stream where the qualifications and role meet the criteria.

Visas for Machinists and CNC Operators Migrating to Australia

MigrationBuro has placed overseas machinists, fitters and fabricators into Australian precision manufacturing under an employer Labour Agreement, including candidates from South Africa. We know the Trades Recognition Australia assessment and the sponsorship process this occupation needs.

Machinists, CNC machinists, and toolmakers are in genuine shortage in Australian precision manufacturing, and their occupations appear on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) for the Skills in Demand (subclass 482), and on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) for permanent and skilled independent pathways. The ANZSCO codes most relevant to this group are: 323211 (Fitter), 323212 (Fitter and Turner), 323213 (Fitter-Welder), 323214 (Metal Machinist, First Class), and 323299 (Metal Fitters and Machinists, NEC).

The assessment authority is Trades Recognition Australia (TRA). The pathway from TRA assessment to employer sponsorship or the skilled independent visa follows the same structure as other trade occupations.

VISA OPTIONS FOR MACHINISTS

Employer sponsorship (482, 186): precision engineering workshops and manufacturers that are approved sponsors can nominate machinists and CNC operators. The CSOL listing supports the Skills in Demand (subclass 482) Core Skills stream of up to four years, which in turn opens the subclass 186 Temporary Residence Transition pathway to permanent residence after two years. The nominated salary must be at or above the Core Skills Income Threshold, currently $79,499.

Skilled independent (subclass 189): for machinists on the MLTSSL, a TRA assessment plus a competitive points score, with no employer required.

State nomination (190, 491): some state programs target precision manufacturing trades.

Skills in Demand (SID) Visa

(Subclass 482)
Custom migration pathways for businesses facing ongoing skills shortages, including DAMA’s, industry-specific Labour agreements and Company Specific Labour Agreements.

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Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa (Subclass 186)

Secure permanent residency for skilled international employees, strengthening your workforce with long-term expertise.

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Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 494)
This visa provides a way for skilled workers in specific occupations, who are nominated by their employer in regional Australia, to live and work in Australia for 5 years. This visa contains two ‘streams’ with varying conditions and eligibility requirements. Click below to learn more, and contact us for professional advice and assistance.

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Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) Visa (Subclass 400)

The Subclass 400 visa allows individuals with highly specialised skills to undertake short-term, non-ongoing work or projects in Australia..

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TRA ASSESSMENT FOR MACHINISTS

Step 1 Confirm your ANZSCO code

Confirm your ANZSCO code. Fitter and Turner, Metal Machinist (First Class), and related codes have different scope. Confirm the right code for your actual work history at consultation.

Step 2 Gather TRA documentation: trade qualifications

Gather TRA documentation: trade qualifications (apprenticeship, trade certificate), employment references documenting machining tasks, payslips, and CNC operation evidence where applicable.

Step 3 Lodge the TRA application

Lodge the TRA application.

Step 4 Proceed with EOI in SkillSelect or employer sponsorship on receipt of positive assessment

Proceed with EOI in SkillSelect or employer sponsorship on receipt of positive assessment.

Step 5 Visa application

Visa application.

Speak to a Migration agent

Call 1300 VISA OZ (1300 8472 69) to discuss employer sponsorship for your Brisbane business. Available Monday to Friday. Zoom consultations take 45-60 minutes and give you a clear answer on what is achievable.

Prefer to start in writing? Email info@migrationburo.com.au with the role title, the occupation, and the candidate's nationality and qualifications.

Your Australian Visa application

Some frequently asked questions

Answers to some questions we often hear from people in your situation.

Is CNC experience accepted for a TRA machinist assessment?

CNC operation experience is relevant but the TRA assessment is against the ANZSCO occupation definition. A purely CNC operation role may not meet the full trade definition. Employment evidence demonstrating the full range of tasks (setup, tooling, quality checking, manual machining where applicable) strengthens the application.

What employers in Australia need machinists?

Precision engineering workshops, defence manufacturing, mining equipment manufacturers, and general engineering companies. MigrationBuro works with precision engineering employers who have direct sponsorship needs.

Is the machinist occupation on the Core Skills Occupation List?

Yes. Machinist occupations sit on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), so they can be sponsored under the Skills in Demand (subclass 482) Core Skills stream, granted for up to four years, with a pathway to permanent residence through the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) Temporary Residence Transition stream after two years.

Can a sponsored worker's family come to Australia with them?

Yes. Partners and dependent children can be included in the application as secondary applicants. Each secondary applicant is subject to health and character requirements. Partners may work full-time. Secondary applicants are named in the visa grant and subject to the same conditions as the primary holder.

What is the difference between a 482 and a 186 visa?

The 482 (Skills in Demand) is a temporary visa, typically granted for two to four years. The 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme) is permanent residence. Many 482 holders transition to a 186 after two years of employment with the same employer under the Temporary Residence Transition stream. The 186 can also be lodged directly via the Direct Entry stream if the worker holds the right qualifications and the role meets the criteria.

Migration experience you can trust

MigrationBuro are your trusted migration agents in Brisbane. Founded and led by Andrew Heathcote, we specialise in Australian immigration services. With over 18 years of experience, Andrew is a registered migration agent (MARN) and a member of the Migration Institute of Australia, ensuring expert guidance through every step of the immigration process.