Retail Manager Visa Pathways & Skills Assessment Explained (ANZSCO 142111)
If you’ve been working in retail and are looking for a migration pathway to Australia, today’s blog is for you.
We’re talking about the occupation of Retail Manager (General) — ANZSCO code 142111.
This occupation was previously available only for the 494 visa, which meant you needed:
An employer in a regional area
At least three years of full-time work experience
And a positive skills assessment
But now things have changed.
Retail Manager is currently listed on the Consolidated Skilled Occupation List (CSOL). This means it is now eligible for not just the 494 visa, but also:
The 482 Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa, and
The 186 Employer Nomination Scheme permanent visa
Visa Options for Retail Managers
Let’s break down how each option works — and what you need to qualify.
If you’ve worked as a Retail Manager for at least one year full-time, and you also meet the qualification criteria, you could be eligible for employer sponsorship through the 482 visa.
For the 482 visa:
Your employer can be based anywhere in Australia
While the skills assessment is not required, you do need one year of full-time experience in the nominated occupation
If you’re aiming for permanent residency through the 186 visa, this occupation is also eligible under that stream.
For this, you must have:
A positive skills assessment, and
Three years of full-time post-qualification experience
Your employer can again be located anywhere in Australia, and this pathway leads directly to permanent residency.
494 Regional Visa and PR through 191
The occupation of Retail Manager is also still available for the 494 visa, which is for regional sponsorship.
One benefit of the 494 visa is that after three years, you can apply for the 191 permanent residency visa without needing to be re-nominated by your employer.
You only need to show that you:
Lived and worked in a regional area
For your sponsoring employer
For three consecutive years
Skills Assessment for Retail Managers (VETASSESS)
If you meet the Retail Manager criteria and have an employer ready to sponsor you, let’s talk about the skills assessment, which is required for the 186 and 494 visas.
A skills assessment for Retail Manager is done by VETASSESS, and here are the key requirements:
Qualifications:
You must have at least a Diploma-level qualification or higher, such as:
Diploma
Advanced Diploma
Associate Degree
Bachelor or above
It should be in a highly relevant field such as:
Business Management
Retail Management
Hospitality Management (if you’re managing a fast food or quick service restaurant)
Work Experience:
You must show paid employment of at least 20 hours per week performing highly relevant tasks, including:
Managing stock, pricing, and budgets
Supervising and training staff
Advertising and promoting the store
Handling purchasing and sales
Ensuring workplace health and safety compliance
You also need to provide an organisational chart showing your role, who you report to, and who reports to you. If unavailable, you’ll need to submit a statutory declaration.
Summary
To wrap up — if you are working as a Retail Manager and meet the qualification and work experience requirements, you may be eligible for:
A 482 visa with no skills assessment required
A 186 visa with three years of experience and a positive skills assessment
Or a 494 regional visa leading to the 191 permanent residency visa
Our expert team can help you:
✅ Determine the right pathway
✅ Assist with skills assessments
✅ Manage your employer-sponsored visa application
Disclaimer:
The information shared by Nationwide Migration and Education is for general informational purposes only. While accurate at the time of publication, details may change. This content is not intended as legal or migration advice. For advice tailored to your circumstances, please book a consultation with us!
