Funeral Director – ANZSCO 451311

Funeral Director (ANZSCO 451311) 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 494.

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Quick facts

ANZSCO code: 451311
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: 4513 Funeral Workers

Funeral Director job description and duties

Plans and coordinates arrangements for funerals according to the wishes of the deceased or their relatives. Registration or licensing may be required.

Also known as: Mortician, Undertaker

Tasks include

Interviewing families and associates of the deceased to assist with funeral arrangements such as the selection of coffin, type of service and publication of death notices
Advising on funeral costs and welfare provisions
Collecting bodies from mortuaries
Ensuring death certificates have been issued, burial and cremation certificates processed and that other legal requirements are met
Preparing bodies for viewing and burial by washing, draining body fluids, applying padding and cosmetics, dressing bodies and placing them in coffins
Liaising with clergy and cemetery and crematorium staff
Coordinating the movement of coffins and funeral cars, arranging floral displays and collecting attendance and tribute cards
Arranging the placement of coffins at funeral sites, and placing and adjusting floral displays and lighting
Keeping records and accounts of transactions and services performed
May arrange the construction of memorials and the disposal of ashes

Education and skill level

The occupation Funeral Director has 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. The occupation Funeral Workers nec has a level of skill commensurate with the qualifications and experience outlined below. In Australia: AQF Certificate III including at least two years of on-the-job training, or AQF Certificate IV (ANZSCO Skill Level 3) In New Zealand: NZQF Level 4 qualification (ANZSCO Skill Level 3) 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 Funeral Director

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 Funeral Director

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 Funeral Director

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

Funeral Director 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 Funeral Director.

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 4513

Funeral Workers nec (451399)

Frequently asked questions

What is the ANZSCO code for Funeral Director?

The ANZSCO code for Funeral Director is 451311. It is a skill level 2 occupation.

Who assesses Funeral Director for Australian migration?

Funeral Director 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 Funeral Director apply for?

Funeral Director 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 Funeral Director 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.