Safety Inspector – ANZSCO 312611

Safety Inspector (ANZSCO 312611) is a skill level 2 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 491, subclass 494, subclass 407. 4 of 8 states and territories currently nominate it.

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Quick facts

ANZSCO code: 312611
Skill level: 2 – Associate degree, advanced diploma or diploma, or at least 3 years of relevant experience.
Assessing authority: VETASSESS
Occupation lists: ROL
English test for skills assessment: Not required
ANZSCO unit group: 3126 Safety Inspectors

Safety Inspector job description and duties

Inspects machines, equipment, working conditions and public places to ensure compliance with government and industry standards and regulations, in relation to occupational health and safety. Registration or licensing may be required.

Specialisations: Boilers and Pressure Vessels Inspector, Gas Examiner, Lifts and Cranes Inspector, Mines Inspector, Occupational Health and Safety Inspector

Tasks include

Examining equipment specifications, and inspecting and testing machines, equipment and clothing to ensure compliance with safety standards and serviceability
Inspecting factories and other work sites to ensure compliance with government and industry standards and regulations
Observing workers to ensure protective devices are being utilised according to regulations and that combustible and other hazardous materials are used and stored in accordance with approved procedures
Conducting tests in work areas to detect toxic fumes, explosive gas-air mixtures and other work hazards
Ensuring fire prevention equipment and other safety supplies, such as first aid kits, stretchers and blankets, conform to standards
Assisting in conducting safety meetings and campaigns, and organising training in general safety principles in keeping with regulations
Advising organisations on ways to comply with occupational health and safety legislative requirements
Investigating incidents and fatalities, to determine causes and to collect evidence of non-compliance with occupational health and safety legislation

Education and skill level

Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with the qualifications and experience outlined below. In Australia: AQF Associate Degree, Advanced Diploma or Diploma (ANZSCO Skill Level 2) In New Zealand: NZQF Diploma (ANZSCO Skill Level 2) At least three years of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualifications listed above. In some instances relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification. Registration or licensing may be required.

What the assessing authority expects: VETASSESS Group C: minimum AQF Diploma or higher.

Visa options for Safety Inspector

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: 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: Eligible (via MLTSSL / STSOL / ROL)

State and territory nomination for Safety Inspector

4 of 8 states and territories currently list this occupation: Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania. Onshore means already living in that state; offshore means living outside Australia.

New South Wales: 190 No, 491 Closed 26–27, onshore No, offshore No. Not eligible for 190.
Victoria: 190 No, 491 Not yet open, onshore No, offshore No. Not eligible for 190.
Queensland: 190 No, 491 Yes, onshore QLD residents, offshore No. Onshore list: 491; Building & Construction pathway.
South Australia: 190 No, 491 Yes, onshore SA residents, offshore Yes. SA Graduates: 491; Skilled Employment in SA: 491; Outer Regional Skilled Employment: 491; Offshore: 491.
Western Australia: 190 No, 491 Yes, onshore WA & interstate, offshore Yes. General – WASMOL Schedule 2: 491.
Tasmania: 190 No, 491 Yes, onshore TAS residents, offshore No. Living in Tasmania: Skilled Employment, Graduate or Established Resident pathways; Overseas 491 (OSOP) closed for 2026–27.
Australian Capital Territory: 190 No, 491 No, onshore No, offshore No. Not on the ACT occupation list (Canberra small-business owners may still qualify).
Northern Territory: 190 No, 491 By exception, onshore NT grads/residents only, offshore No. 491 onshore only, by exception for NT Graduate or Resident applicants with urgent visa or age deadlines.

Based on each state's official 2026–27 lists and program pages. Being listed does not guarantee an invitation.

Skills assessment for Safety Inspector

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

Safety Inspector is a VETASSESS Group C occupation. You need a qualification at AQF Diploma or higher level and must meet one of these pathways in full:

Pathway 1: AQF Diploma or higher in a highly relevant field + 1 year of highly relevant post-qualification employment in the last 5 years
Pathway 2: AQF Diploma or higher (not highly relevant) plus an extra highly relevant qualification at Certificate IV level or above + 1 year of highly relevant post-qualification employment in the last 5 years
Pathway 3: AQF Diploma or higher in a field that is not highly relevant + 2 years of highly relevant post-qualification employment in the last 5 years
Pathway 4: AQF Diploma or higher in any field + 4 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 Safety Inspector.

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.

Frequently asked questions

What is the ANZSCO code for Safety Inspector?

The ANZSCO code for Safety Inspector is 312611. It is a skill level 2 occupation.

Who assesses Safety Inspector for Australian migration?

Safety Inspector 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 Safety Inspector apply for?

Safety Inspector is on the ROL list, so it can be used for: 491 Skilled Work Regional – State/Territory nominated; 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional – Employer sponsored; 407 Training visa. You must still meet every other visa requirement.

Which states nominate Safety Inspector?

4 of 8 states and territories currently list Safety Inspector: Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania. Each state has extra criteria such as residence, employment and points.

Do I need an English test for the Safety Inspector 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.