How the Australia SID Stream Matcher Works

The tool checks your job against the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), identifies your ANZSCO major group, and compares your salary against the two main thresholds: A$141,210 for Specialist Skills and A$76,515 for Core Skills (both figures apply from July 1, 2025). From those three data points, it shows you which Skills in Demand (SID) visa stream you would most likely use.

The formula the tool uses behind the scenes:

SSIT (Specialist Skills Income Threshold) = A$141,210 from July 1, 2025
CSIT (Core Skills Income Threshold) = A$76,515 from July 1, 2025. Both are indexed annually on July 1.

What is the CSOL and Why Does It Matter?

The Core Skills Occupation List replaced the old MLTSSL, STSOL, and ROL lists on December 7, 2024, when the SID visa launched. It currently covers 456 occupations across healthcare, engineering, IT, education, construction, agriculture, and trades.

If your job is on the CSOL, you can be sponsored under the Core Skills stream as long as you are earning at least A$76,515 and meet the other eligibility requirements. If your job is not on the CSOL, you can still access the Specialist Skills stream if your salary is high enough, or pursue a Labour Agreement if your employer qualifies.

Table of Truth: Common Jobs and Their Streams

Note: This table is illustrative. Always verify your specific ANZSCO code and CSOL status on the official Home Affairs website before applying.

Why Australia Attracts Nigerians on the Work Route

Australia’s healthcare, construction, and tech sectors have run persistent shortages for years, and the government’s own Jobs and Skills Australia data shows 139 occupations have been in shortage every year from 2021 to 2025. Many of those roles, including nursing, software development, civil engineering, and teaching, are exactly the fields where Nigerian professionals are qualified and in growing demand.

The salary levels in Australia are also materially higher than most Nigerian employers can offer. A registered nurse in Australia typically earns between A$70,000 and A$90,000 a year. A software engineer commonly earns A$90,000 to A$130,000. Both are well above the CSIT threshold, which makes the Core Skills stream accessible for these groups.

English is the working language, which removes one barrier that other non-English-speaking destinations add. Australia also has a well-established Nigerian diaspora, particularly in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, which reduces the social friction of relocating.

The Three SID Streams Explained

Specialist Skills Stream

This is for senior professionals earning at least A$141,210 a year (from July 1, 2025, indexed annually). If your salary hits this number and your occupation is in ANZSCO major groups 1, 2, 4, 5, or 6, you do not need to be on the CSOL at all. Trades workers, machinery operators, and labourers (ANZSCO groups 3, 7, and 8) are excluded regardless of salary.

The processing time target for this stream is 7 days. The reasoning is simple: if an Australian employer is willing to pay over A$141,000, the government considers that market confirmation of genuine demand.

Core Skills Stream

This is the stream most Nigerians will use. Your occupation must appear on the CSOL, and your salary must be at least A$76,515, or the market going rate for your occupation, whichever is higher. After 2 years of qualifying employment with an approved sponsor, you can apply for permanent residency through the ENS Subclass 186 (Temporary Residence Transition stream).

Processing times for Core Skills are typically 2 to 4 months, though complex cases with missing documents or skills assessment delays can take longer. Skills assessments from relevant Australian assessing bodies (such as Engineers Australia, Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, or VETASSESS) often take 8 to 12 weeks on their own, so start early.

Labour Agreement Stream

This applies when your employer has negotiated a specific Labour Agreement with the Australian government, or when your occupation falls under a Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) for regional employers. The terms, including salary thresholds and occupation eligibility, vary by agreement. This stream is not available to employers without a formal agreement already in place.

The Essential Skills stream is still being developed by the government and is not yet open for applications as of March 2026. When it launches, it is expected to target critical lower-paid roles in aged care and disability sectors.

What This Tool Does Not Tell You

This tool is a stream matching guide, not an eligibility assessment. It does not account for English language test requirements (now B2 CELPIP/IELTS or equivalent since January 2026 for new applicants), health checks, character requirements, or whether your specific employer qualifies as an approved sponsor. The results are estimates to help you understand which stream to research further.

Realistic Scenarios for Nigerian Applicants

Scenario 1: Single applicant (Registered Nurse in Sydney)

Chidi, 29, has 2 years of experience as a registered nurse in Lagos. His occupation (ANZSCO 254411) is on the CSOL. A Sydney hospital offers him A$80,000. He qualifies for the Core Skills stream. He needs a skills assessment from the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), which can take 3 to 6 months. After 2 years of working for the sponsoring hospital, he can apply for ENS 186 permanent residency.

Scenario 2: Applicant with spouse (Software Engineer in Melbourne)

Adaeze, 32, is a software developer offered A$105,000 by a Melbourne tech firm. Her ANZSCO code (261313) is on the CSOL. She qualifies for Core Skills. Her husband can apply as a dependent. Dependent visa fees are A$3,210 per adult and A$805 per child under 18. He can work full rights in Australia as her dependent. After 2 years, she can apply for PR. He would need to meet his own requirements for any independent visa later.

Scenario 3: Senior professional (ICT Manager, Specialist Stream)

Emeka, 38, is a Head of Engineering offered A$160,000 by a Perth mining company. His salary exceeds A$141,210 and his role falls in ANZSCO major group 1 (managers). He qualifies for the Specialist Skills stream. No CSOL check needed. His application targeting is 7 days processing. He can also access the ENS 186 Direct Entry stream for PR without waiting 2 years, provided he meets the occupation and age requirements at that point.

Common Questions About the SID Visa

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