Don’t Get Refused: The Caveats Most People Miss on 482 & 186 Visas
What Are Caveats and Why They Matter for Australian Visa Applications
When applying for an employer-sponsored visa such as the Skills in Demand (subclass 482) or the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186), not every occupation is treated the same. Some roles come with “caveats” — additional conditions or exclusions set by the Department of Home Affairs to make sure the nominated position is genuinely skilled and not simply a lower-level role being rebranded for visa purposes. A caveat might limit where or how a role can be performed, exclude front-line or sales-focused duties, or require the sponsoring business to meet certain size or turnover thresholds.
The table below brings together all occupations that currently have caveats attached under the latest subclass 482 and subclass 186 instruments. Each entry shows the ANZSCO code, the visa type the occupation applies to, and any caveat numbers linked to that role, along with a plain-English explanation of what each caveat means. If a nominated position meets the conditions described in a caveat, that occupation cannot be used for visa sponsorship. By checking the caveats early in the process, employers and visa applicants can make sure the position description, business structure, and job duties all align with migration requirements — reducing the risk of refusal and saving time and money.
Occupations with Caveats – Subclass 482 & 186
|
Job Title |
ANZSCO Code |
Visa (482/186/Both) |
Caveat Number(s) |
Caveat Description (Plain English) |
|
Executive & General Management |
||||
|
Chief Executive or Managing Director |
111111 |
Both |
1 |
Earnings under $180,001 and transfer not under an international trade obligation (ITO). |
|
Corporate General Manager |
111211 |
Both |
1 |
Earnings under $180,001 and transfer not under an international trade obligation (ITO). |
|
Sales and Marketing Manager |
131112 |
Both |
6, 12 |
Caveat 6: Front‑line retail, routine client transactions, selling courses to individuals, or basic call‑centre without significant product knowledge. Caveat 12: Business turnover under $1,000,000 and fewer than 5 employees (and no ITO transfer). |
|
Supply and Distribution Manager |
133611 |
Both |
6, 12 |
Caveat 6: Front‑line retail, routine client transactions, selling courses to individuals, or basic call‑centre without significant product knowledge. Caveat 12: Business turnover under $1,000,000 and fewer than 5 employees (and no ITO transfer). |
|
Business & Corporate Services |
||||
|
Corporate Services Manager |
132111 |
Both |
12 |
Business turnover under $1,000,000 and fewer than 5 employees (and no ITO transfer). |
|
Finance Manager |
132211 |
482 |
14 |
Occupation only applies where provided for under an International Trade Obligation (ITO). |
|
Policy and Planning Manager |
132411 |
482 |
16 |
Position is a brothel keeper. |
|
Marketing & Communications |
||||
|
Advertising Manager |
131113 |
482 |
12 |
Business turnover under $1,000,000 and fewer than 5 employees (and no ITO transfer). |
|
Marketing Specialist |
225113 |
Both |
6, 11 |
Caveat 6: Front‑line retail, routine client transactions, selling courses to individuals, or basic call‑centre without significant product knowledge. Caveat 11: Business annual turnover is under $1,000,000. |
|
Hospitality, Retail & Services |
||||
|
Hotel or Motel Manager |
141311 |
186 |
5 |
Role predominantly involves low‑skilled tasks (e.g., fruit picking/packing, feeding livestock, truck driving). |
|
Hospitality, Retail and Service Managers nec |
149999 |
Both |
16 |
Position is a brothel keeper. |
|
Chef |
351311 |
186 |
3, 4 |
Caveat 3: Role involves mass production in a factory setting. Caveat 4: Role is in a limited service restaurant (e.g., fast food/takeaway/coffee shop). |
|
Cook |
351411 |
Both |
3, 4 |
Caveat 3: Role involves mass production in a factory setting. Caveat 4: Role is in a limited service restaurant (e.g., fast food/takeaway/coffee shop). |
|
Community & Personal Services |
||||
|
Massage Therapist |
411611 |
482 |
7 |
Not full‑time, not in a therapeutic setting, relaxation massage, or in a retail setting. |
|
Sports Development Officer |
452321 |
482 |
14 |
Occupation only applies where provided for under an International Trade Obligation (ITO). |
|
Sales & Retail |
||||
|
Retail Buyer |
639211 |
482 |
6 |
Front‑line retail, routine client transactions, selling courses to individuals, or basic call‑centre without significant product knowledge. |
Caveat Number Legend (Plain English)
|
Caveat No. |
Meaning (Plain English) |
|
1 |
Earnings under $180,001 and transfer not under an international trade obligation (ITO). |
|
2 |
Role is clerical/bookkeeper/accounting clerk. |
|
3 |
Role involves mass production in a factory setting. |
|
4 |
Role is in a limited service restaurant (e.g., fast food/takeaway/coffee shop). |
|
5 |
Role predominantly involves low‑skilled tasks (e.g., fruit picking/packing, feeding livestock, truck driving). |
|
6 |
Front‑line retail, routine client transactions, selling courses to individuals, or basic call‑centre without significant product knowledge. |
|
7 |
Not full‑time, not in a therapeutic setting, relaxation massage, or in a retail setting. |
|
8 |
Not in a commercial building/shopping centre OR only managing one service/relationship (e.g., just the cleaning contract). |
|
9 |
Relates to retail mobile phone/small consumer device repairs. |
|
10 |
Mass/standardised food production (franchise/factory; or uses pre‑prepared food from another location). |
|
11 |
Business annual turnover is under $1,000,000. |
|
12 |
Business turnover under $1,000,000 and fewer than 5 employees (and no ITO transfer). |
|
13 |
Business has fewer than 5 employees. |
|
14 |
Occupation only applies where provided for under an International Trade Obligation (ITO). |
|
15 |
Nominated earnings are under $120,000. |
|
16 |
Position is a brothel keeper. |
