Is Cardiothoracic Surgeon in shortage in Australia?

As of 2026-04-26, Jobs and Skills Australia rates Cardiothoracic Surgeon as "In shortage" on the national Skills Priority List. 7,400 Cardiothoracic Surgeon are currently employed across Australia.

How much do Cardiothoracic Surgeon earn in Australia?

Median full-time earnings for Cardiothoracic Surgeon are A$3,905 per week, or approximately A$203,060 per year. Source: Jobs and Skills Australia, refreshed 2026-04-26.

Which Australian visas am I eligible to apply for as a Cardiothoracic Surgeon?

Cardiothoracic Surgeon (ANZSCO 253512) is eligible for the following visa subclasses: 482, 186, 189, 190, 407, 485, 489, 494, 491. It appears on the MLTSSL, CSOL occupation lists.

Who assesses Cardiothoracic Surgeon skills for Australian migration?

Skills assessment for Cardiothoracic Surgeon (ANZSCO 253512) is conducted by Medical Board of Australia.

Does Cardiothoracic Surgeon require registration or licensing in Australia?

Yes — Cardiothoracic Surgeon (ANZSCO 253512) requires registration or licensing to practise in Australia. Confirm specific state requirements with the relevant regulatory body before lodging a visa application.

Where in Australia do most Cardiothoracic Surgeon work?

The top three Statistical Area Level 4 (SA4) regions for Cardiothoracic Surgeon employment are: Melbourne - Inner, Adelaide - Central and Hills, Melbourne - Inner East. Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics labour-force survey via Jobs and Skills Australia.

Is Cardiothoracic Surgeon on the MLTSSL or CSOL?

Cardiothoracic Surgeon (ANZSCO 253512) is currently listed on the MLTSSL, CSOL. List membership controls which permanent and provisional skilled visas the occupation is eligible for.

What qualifications do I need to work as a Cardiothoracic Surgeon in Australia?

The most common qualification held by working Cardiothoracic Surgeon is Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate (52% of the workforce). Specific skills assessment evidence requirements depend on the assessing authority.

+61 8 7081 5229 reception@globalselect.com.auMARN: 2217810 | 2418520

Adelaide | Melbourne | NepalMon - Fri: 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM

+61 8 7081 5229 reception@globalselect.com.auMARN: 2217810 | 2418520

Adelaide | Melbourne | NepalMon - Fri: 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM

ANZSCO253512 OSCA 20242646321Skill LevelMLTSSLCSOL1Tier 1In ShortageJSARegistration Required

Cardiothoracic
Surgeon

Name: Global Select Education and Migration — Adelaide
Address: Suite 2, Level 10, 90 King William Street, Adelaide, SA, 5000, AU
Telephone: +61 8 7081 5229

Performs heart and lung surgery. Registration or licensing is required.

Chapter I

The occupation

“SURGEONS perform surgery to correct deformities, repair injuries, prevent and treat diseases, and improve human functioning and appearance. Medical Registrars training as Surgeons are included in this unit group.”
Unit Group 2535 Surgeons · ABS ANZSCO

Specialisations

None listed under ANZSCO 253512.

Entry route to Skills and Qualification Requirements

Occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with a bachelor degree or higher qualification, two years hospital-based training, and at least five years specialist study and training (ANZSCO Skill Level 1).

Medical Board of Australia· Skill assessment required

Related occupations· 8

Neurosurgeon (253513) Orthopaedic Surgeon (253514) Otorhinolaryngologist (253515) Paediatric Surgeon (253516) Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon (253517) Surgeon (General) (253511) Urologist (253518) Vascular Surgeon (253521)

Chapter II

Your visa pathways

Eligible

DHA-recognised
visa pathways

Occupation lists

MLTSSLCSOL

Classifications

20132022

Permanent Residence

Pathways that lead directly to Australian permanent residency

189

Skilled Independent

Points-Tested

ANZSCO 2013MedBA75%: 9 months·90%: 14 months

190

Skilled Nominated

ANZSCO 2013MedBA75%: 5 months·90%: 10 months

186

Employer Nomination Scheme visa

Direct Entry Pathway

ANZSCO 2022MedBA75%: 7 months·90%: 14 months

Skilled Regional (Provisional)

Live, work, and study in a regional area — lead to PR via 191

491

Skilled Work Regional (provisional) visa

State or Territory nominated

ANZSCO 2013MedBA75%: 6 months·90%: 12 months

491

Skilled Work Regional (provisional) visa

Family Sponsored

ANZSCO 2013MedBAVerify flag75%: 6 months·90%: 12 months

494

Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (provisional)

Employer sponsored stream

ANZSCO 2013MedBA75%: 7 months·90%: 13 months

489

Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa

State or Territory nominated

ANZSCO 2013MedBAClosed

489

Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa

Family sponsored

ANZSCO 2013MedBAClosed

Temporary Work & Training

Short to medium-term visas — some offer a PR pathway

482

Skills in Demand

Core Skills stream

ANZSCO 2022MedBA75%: 30 days·90%: 60 days

ANZSCO 2013MedBA

ANZSCO 2013MedBA

Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMA)

This occupation is eligible under the following DAMA regions, which may offer concessions on age, English, and salary requirements.

WA DAMA

SkillSelect

Tier 1

Highest value

Ceiling multiplier

How DHA prioritises this occupation in 189 rounds

High scarcity, shortages driven by long training times, deep capabilities to meet projected long-term skills needs. For example, medical specialists and researchers.

SkillSelect tiered prioritisation model · Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent) and 491 Family Sponsored invitation rounds · effective Program Year 2025-26. Occupation ceilings managed at the ANZSCO Minor Group (4-digit) level; ranking within each tier is by points-test score after the 500-invitation per-Unit-Group threshold.

IndicativeAttachment B (the official tier list) is redacted in the FOI release. Tier shown is derived from the policy intent + Ministerial Direction 105.

View policy PDFDHA · 21 May 2025

Chapter III

State & territory nominations

Choose a state to view nomination criteria, place allocations, and recent invitation rounds.

New South Wales

Sydney

Visit migration portal

2023-24

4,150

2024-25

5,000

2025-26

3,600

SC 190Eligible

Skilled Nominated Stream

2025–26 places2,100

Key requirements & pathways

›New South Wales 190 Visa Group: Surgeons 2535. Available to Onshore and Offshore candidates; The selection process is extremely competitive. To meet NSW requirements the applicant will need to have genuinely resided in NSW for a minimum period of six months ORcurrently employed in NSW in their nominated occupation OR have continuously resided offshore for the past six months

SC 491Eligible

Regional (Provisional) Stream

2025–26 places1,500

Min. salary (TSMIT)$76,515

Residency (some streams)6 month

Key requirements & pathways

›NSW Regional areas 491 Visa
›Pathway 1 (Stream A) Available to applicants who have been living and working in their nominated occupation, or a closely related occupation, in a designated regional area of NSW, for at least the previous 6 months with the same regional NSW-based employer; Minimum of the TSMIT/CSIT salary rate: $76,515 New applications for this pathway are no longer being accepted for the program year ending 30 June 2026
›Pathway 2 (Stream B)
›Pathway 3

Chapter IV

Expression of Interest (EOI Data)

A snapshot of how many people are competing for this occupation right now. Tap “View full EOI insights” for wait-time estimates, state-by-state difficulty, peer comparisons and cohort tracking.

Chapter V

Tasks & duties

Your employment history should align with these ANZSCO-defined tasks. The assessing authority looks for demonstrable experience in at least five.

examining patients to determine the necessity of operations, estimating and explaining risks to patients, and selecting the best operational procedures
reviewing reports on patients' general physical condition, reactions to medications and medical histories
consulting with Anaesthetists regarding the correct anaesthesia for patients
performing surgical operations
examining instruments, equipment, and surgical set-up to ensure that antiseptic and aseptic methods have been followed
instructing other medical, nursing and associated staff regarding the preparation of patients and instrument and equipment requirements
prescribing post-operative care, and observing and investigating patients' progress
maintaining records of operations performed
may specialise in particular types of operations

Chapter VI

Skills assessment

MEDI

Assessing Authority

Medical Board of Australia

Visit Medical Board of Australiaahpra.gov.au

Lodge application

Online portal · documents uploaded

Assessment fees

Standard + priority options

Processing

See authority for current times

Outcome letter

Valid for 3 years for DHA lodgement

Chapter VII

Labour market

A quick read on workforce size, pay and demand.

Jobs and Skills Australia

Workforce, pay and demand at a glance

Full insights

Workforce

7,400

employed nationally

Growth

-9.9%

benchmark +1.5%

Median pay

$3,905

per week

Shortage

In shortage

Skills Priority List

ANZSCO 253512Median age 4326% female workforceTop qualification: Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate (52%)Refreshed 2026-04-26

Your route to PR

Six steps from this page to a granted visa

Personalised for Cardiothoracic Surgeon (ANZSCO 253512). Estimated pathway timeline: up to 24 months.

Total timelineUp to 24 months

START

VERIFY

ASSESS

ENGLISH

EOI

INVITE

LODGE

ANZSCO code & lists

On MLTSSL + CSOL · Skill Level 1

Skills assessment (AHPRA)

Medical Board of Australia

Open tool

Test & maximise points

Target ≥85 pts · English up to 20 pts

Open tool

Submit Expression of Interest

Visas open: 189, 190, 491

Open tool

Await invitation / nomination

8 states: NSW, VIC, QLD, SA…

Open tool

Lodge visa & await grant

60 days to lodge · SC 189 DHA processing

Not sure which pathway fits you? Book a free 30-minute consultation with an OMARA-registered agent.

OMARA registeredFree 30-minute call98% case success · 2018–2026

Run Eligibility Check Book Consultation

ANZSCO253512 OSCA 20242646321Skill LevelMLTSSLCSOL1Tier 1In ShortageJSARegistration Required

Cardiothoracic
Surgeon

Performs heart and lung surgery. Registration or licensing is required.

Chapter I

The occupation

“SURGEONS perform surgery to correct deformities, repair injuries, prevent and treat diseases, and improve human functioning and appearance. Medical Registrars training as Surgeons are included in this unit group.”
Unit Group 2535 Surgeons · ABS ANZSCO

Specialisations

None listed under ANZSCO 253512.

Entry route to Skills and Qualification Requirements

Medical Board of Australia· Skill assessment required

Related occupations· 8

Chapter II

Your visa pathways

Eligible

DHA-recognised
visa pathways

Occupation lists

MLTSSLCSOL

Classifications

20132022

Permanent Residence

Pathways that lead directly to Australian permanent residency

189

Skilled Independent

Points-Tested

ANZSCO 2013MedBA75%: 9 months·90%: 14 months

190

Skilled Nominated

ANZSCO 2013MedBA75%: 5 months·90%: 10 months

186

Employer Nomination Scheme visa

Direct Entry Pathway

ANZSCO 2022MedBA75%: 7 months·90%: 14 months

Skilled Regional (Provisional)

Live, work, and study in a regional area — lead to PR via 191

491

Skilled Work Regional (provisional) visa

State or Territory nominated

ANZSCO 2013MedBA75%: 6 months·90%: 12 months

491

Skilled Work Regional (provisional) visa

Family Sponsored

ANZSCO 2013MedBAVerify flag75%: 6 months·90%: 12 months

494

Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (provisional)

Employer sponsored stream

ANZSCO 2013MedBA75%: 7 months·90%: 13 months

489

Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa

State or Territory nominated

ANZSCO 2013MedBAClosed

489

Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa

Family sponsored

ANZSCO 2013MedBAClosed

Temporary Work & Training

Short to medium-term visas — some offer a PR pathway

482

Skills in Demand

Core Skills stream

ANZSCO 2022MedBA75%: 30 days·90%: 60 days

ANZSCO 2013MedBA

ANZSCO 2013MedBA

Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMA)

This occupation is eligible under the following DAMA regions, which may offer concessions on age, English, and salary requirements.

WA DAMA

SkillSelect

Tier 1

Highest value

Ceiling multiplier

How DHA prioritises this occupation in 189 rounds

High scarcity, shortages driven by long training times, deep capabilities to meet projected long-term skills needs. For example, medical specialists and researchers.

IndicativeAttachment B (the official tier list) is redacted in the FOI release. Tier shown is derived from the policy intent + Ministerial Direction 105.

View policy PDFDHA · 21 May 2025

Chapter III