Author – ANZSCO 212211

Author (ANZSCO 212211) is a skill level 1 occupation assessed by VETASSESS (Vocational Education and Training Assessment Services) for Australian skilled migration. It is on the ROL list and can be used for subclass 494.

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Quick facts

ANZSCO code: 212211
Skill level: 1 – Bachelor degree or higher, or at least 5 years of relevant experience.
Assessing authority: VETASSESS
Occupation lists: ROL
English test for skills assessment: Not required
ANZSCO unit group: 2122 Authors, and Book and Script Editors

Author job description and duties

Produces literary or other written work for publication or performance. This occupation requires high levels of creative talent or personal commitment and interest as well as, or in place of, formal qualifications and experience.

Specialisations: Novelist, Playwright, Poet, Screenwriter, Script Writer

Tasks include

Creating and developing ideas and themes for written works, such as novels, plays, musicals, screen productions, educational texts, information texts and multimedia products
Researching subject matter through original and secondary materials, interviews and other media
Planning, organising and writing material
Reviewing and evaluating manuscripts of novels, biographies, short stories, poems, educational texts and other books, and ensuring coherence of style and development of theme, plot and characterisation
Advising publishers about potential of works for publication and conditions of publication contract
Negotiating publication details such as royalties, publication dates and numbers of copies to be printed
Reviewing and assessing stories and other material for film, television, radio and stage productions
Directing the preparation of scripts to be read by announcers to introduce and connect parts of musicals, news, sports and special events programs

Education and skill level

Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with a bachelor degree or higher qualification. At least five years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualification. Some occupations in this unit group require high levels of creative talent or personal commitment and interest as well as, or in place of, formal qualifications or experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 1).

What the assessing authority expects: VETASSESS Group B: minimum AQF Bachelor degree or higher.

Visa options for Author

Eligible means the occupation is on a list the visa accepts. You still need to meet every other requirement.

Subclass 189 Skilled Independent: Not eligible (via MLTSSL)
Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated: Not eligible (via MLTSSL / STSOL)
Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional – State/Territory nominated: Not eligible (via MLTSSL / STSOL / ROL)
Subclass 491F Skilled Work Regional – Family sponsored: Not eligible (via MLTSSL)
Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate – Post-Vocational Education Work: Not eligible (via MLTSSL)
Subclass 482 Skills in Demand – Core Skills stream: Not eligible (via CSOL)
Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme – Direct Entry: Not eligible (via CSOL)
Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional – Employer sponsored: Eligible (via MLTSSL / STSOL / ROL)
Subclass 407 Training visa: Not eligible (via MLTSSL / STSOL / ROL)

State and territory nomination for Author

This occupation is not on the federal lists for the 190 or 491 visas, so no state or territory can nominate it. Employer-sponsored visas may still apply.

Skills assessment for Author

VETASSESS checks two things: that your qualification is at the right Australian (AQF) level and in a relevant field, and that you have enough relevant work experience at the right skill level. You need a positive result on both.

The process

Pick the right occupation: Match your duties to the occupation description and check its VETASSESS group.
Prepare documents: Qualifications, transcripts, employment references, payslips and ID as high-quality colour scans.
Apply online: Create a VETASSESS account, upload documents and pay. You can change occupation free within 10 days of payment.
Assessment: An officer reviews your file and may ask for more documents (you get 28 days to respond).
Outcome: Download your outcome letter and use it for your EOI and visa.

What you need for this occupation

Author is a VETASSESS Group B occupation. You need a qualification at AQF Bachelor degree or higher level and must meet one of these pathways in full:

Pathway 1: AQF Bachelor degree or higher in a highly relevant field + 1 year of highly relevant post-qualification employment in the last 5 years
Pathway 2: AQF Bachelor degree or higher (not highly relevant) plus an extra highly relevant qualification at Diploma level or above + 2 years of highly relevant post-qualification employment in the last 5 years
Pathway 3: AQF Bachelor degree or higher in a field that is not highly relevant + 3 years of highly relevant post-qualification employment in the last 5 years
Pathway 4: AQF Bachelor degree or higher in any field + 6 years of employment at the right skill level, including 1 year of highly relevant employment in the last 5 years

Employment must be paid, 20 or more hours a week and at the right skill level. Official VETASSESS page for Author.

Documents checklist

Passport bio page
Degree certificates and full academic transcripts
Employment reference letters on company letterhead (duties, dates, hours, salary)
Payslips, tax or bank records for each job
CV/résumé
English translations of non-English documents

Key facts

Fee (full assessment): AUD 1,146 from outside Australia (no GST); AUD 1,260.60 in Australia
Priority processing: + AUD 863 (outside Australia) / AUD 949.30 (in Australia); about 10 business days
Outcome valid for: 3 years from the issue date
Work hours that count: 20 hours or more per week
Validity for visas: Home Affairs generally accepts an assessment for 3 years unless the letter says otherwise

English language requirement

For the VETASSESS skills assessment

No English test required. No English test is needed for the VETASSESS skills assessment. VETASSESS checks your qualification and employment; your English is tested later, for the visa.

For the visa (189, 190 and 491)

Separately, the visa needs at least Competent English. Minimum scores for tests taken on or after 7 August 2025:

IELTS (Academic or General): Listening 6.0, Reading 6.0, Writing 6.0, Speaking 6.0
PTE Academic: Listening 47, Reading 48, Writing 51, Speaking 54
TOEFL iBT: Listening 16, Reading 16, Writing 19, Speaking 19
OET: Listening 290, Reading 310, Writing 290, Speaking 330

Proficient English adds 10 points and Superior English adds 20 points in the points test.

Related occupations in unit group 2122

Book or Script Editor (212212)

Frequently asked questions

What is the ANZSCO code for Author?

The ANZSCO code for Author is 212211. It is a skill level 1 occupation.

Who assesses Author for Australian migration?

Author is assessed by VETASSESS (Vocational Education and Training Assessment Services). You need a positive skills assessment before you can apply for most skilled visas.

Which Australian visas can a Author apply for?

Author is on the ROL list, so it can be used for: 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional – Employer sponsored. You must still meet every other visa requirement.

Do I need an English test for the Author skills assessment?

No. No English test is needed for the VETASSESS skills assessment. VETASSESS checks your qualification and employment; your English is tested later, for the visa.

Sources: Australian Bureau of Statistics ANZSCO 2022 (CC BY 4.0), Department of Home Affairs skilled occupation lists, VETASSESS and state and territory nomination pages. Checked November 2026. General information only, not migration advice. Search all ANZSCO occupations.