This occupation is on the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme Occupation List (RSMS ROL) , you may be eligible to apply for the following visa subclass:
- Regional Sponsor Migration Scheme (subclass 187)
Defence Force Member - Other Ranks - ANZSCO 441111
Skilled occupation profile
Defence Force Member - Other Ranks
ANZSCO 441111Provides specialised military services to the Australian or New Zealand Defence Forces.This occupation includes the following ranks: Air Force: Aircraftman/Aircraftwoman, Corporal, Leading Aircraftman/Aircraftwoman Army: Corporal, Lance Corporal, Private Navy: Able Seaman, Leading Seaman, Seaman
Occupation guide
Occupation details and migration pathways
This guide brings together the key occupation tasks, possible visa pathways and skills assessment information for Defence Force Member - Other Ranks ANZSCO 441111.
Typical tasks and duties
This occupation excludes Defence Force Members - Other Ranks performing duties for which there is a civilian equivalent. These members are included with the closest civilian occupation. For example, Mechanic Recovery is included in Unit Group 7331 Truck Drivers, in Occupation 733115 Tow Truck Driver.
Defence Force Member may perform the following tasks:
- guarding airfields and other defence force bases
- serving as an infantry soldier
- erecting bridges, building field defences, constructing temporary roads, clearing minefields, repairing airfields and demolishing targets using explosives
- crewing armoured fighting vehicles
- operating artillery, ground and surface-based defence systems, shipboard weapons and other advanced specialist military weapons and equipment
- providing firepower and ground-based air defence
- establishing and maintaining command, control and communications equipment and facilities
- conducting surveillance, reconnaissance and boarding operations
- maintaining personal arms and ammunition
Possible visa pathways
This occupation appears on the relevant skilled occupation list. The right visa pathway depends on factors such as your age, English level, qualifications, work experience, skills assessment, points score, nomination options and employer sponsorship.
Skilled Work Regional visa subclass 491A provisional regional skilled visa for applicants nominated by a state or territory or sponsored by an eligible family member.Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa subclass 494A provisional regional employer-sponsored visa for skilled workers sponsored by an employer in regional Australia.
Skills assessment
For skilled migration purposes, Defence Force Member - Other Ranks may require a suitable skills assessment. The correct assessment pathway depends on the visa stream and your personal circumstances.
Legacy subclass 187 pathway
Do you currently hold, or have you previously held, a subclass 457 or 482 visa?
If you have worked for a sponsoring employer in regional Australia, please note that Defence Force Member - Other Ranks — ANZSCO 441111 was included in the legacy Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (subclass 187) occupation list. The subclass 187 Direct Entry stream is closed to new applications, but the Temporary Residence Transition stream may remain available to certain transitional subclass 457 and subclass 482 workers. Eligibility is limited and depends on your visa history, relevant dates, sponsored regional employment, employer nomination, age, English and other requirements. Being included on this occupation list does not establish eligibility.
If this may describe your circumstances, we can assess whether the subclass 187 transitional arrangements may still apply to you.
Check your options
Check your skilled migration options
If Defence Force Member - Other Ranks is your nominated occupation, complete our skilled visa assessment form so we can review your possible migration pathways.
Reviewed by Principal Migration Consultant
Reviewed by Mohammad Reza Azimi
This occupation page has been reviewed for migration context by Shada Migration Services. Mohammad has assisted clients with Australian migration matters since 2009 and holds a Graduate Certificate in Migration Law from the Australian National University.
Last reviewed: July 2026
