Does STSOL lead to permanent residence?

If you’re checking the Skilled Occupation Lists and notice your job is on the Short-Term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL), your first question is usually: “Does this still lead to permanent residence (PR)?”

The honest answer? Sometimes — but not directly and not always. Let’s break this down clearly.

First, What Is STSOL?

The STSOL is used mainly for temporary skilled visas, such as:

• Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage visa (TSS visa – short-term stream)
• Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated visa (only in certain states, depending on state occupation lists)

Unlike the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), STSOL occupations are considered to address short-term labour shortages, which means the pathway to PR is more limited.

So, Can STSOL Lead to PR?

1️⃣ Through Employer Sponsorship (Sometimes)

If you are on a 482 visa under the short-term stream, historically it did not automatically lead to PR.

However, policy changes over recent years have allowed some STSOL occupations to transition to:

• Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme visa (Temporary Residence Transition stream)

But this depends on:

• Whether your occupation becomes eligible
• Your employer’s willingness to sponsor you long-term
• Policy settings at the time you apply

Immigration settings change — and Australia has adjusted skilled migration rules several times in the past few years.

👉 Always check the official Home Affairs website:
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au

2️⃣ Through State Nomination (Possible but Competitive)

Some states occasionally include STSOL occupations in their nomination lists for:

• Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated visa
• Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional visa

But this depends heavily on:

• The state’s labour demand
• Your salary level
• Your work experience in that specific state
• Whether you’re already working in Australia

States change their lists every program year. What’s eligible today may disappear next year.

3️⃣ Switching to an MLTSSL Occupation

Some migrants:

• Upskill
• Change roles
• Gain additional qualifications

…so they can move into an occupation on the MLTSSL, which has clearer PR pathways via:

• Subclass 189 Skilled Independent visa

This requires planning — and ideally, you think about this before accepting a short-term visa.

The Realistic View

Here’s what I usually tell clients:

If your occupation is only on STSOL, treat it as a temporary opportunity first — not a guaranteed PR pathway.

That doesn’t mean it’s a bad option. Many people:

• Enter on STSOL
• Build Australian work experience
• Increase their salary
• Move into regional roles
• Become sponsored long-term

But it requires strategy.

Practical Advice Before You Decide

If you’re considering an STSOL-based visa, ask yourself:

• Is my employer open to long-term sponsorship?
• Is my occupation trending toward long-term shortage?
• Can I upskill into an MLTSSL occupation?
• Does my target state currently nominate my occupation?

Migration is rarely linear. The people who succeed usually plan 2–3 steps ahead.

If you want help mapping your pathway properly — including checking state trends and realistic PR strategies — you can explore our relocation and career advisory insights at:
https://www.brigenai.com/

Final Thought

Yes, STSOL can lead to permanent residence — but it’s conditional and strategic, not automatic.