This occupation is on the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme Occupation List (RSMS ROL) , you may be eligible to apply for the following visa subclass:
- Regional Sponsor Migration Scheme (subclass 187)
Defence Force Senior Officer - ANZSCO 111212
Skilled occupation profile
Defence Force Senior Officer
ANZSCO 111212Defence Force Senior Officer plans, organises, directs, controls and reviews the day-to-day operations and major functions of organisational units of the Australian or New Zealand Defence Forces through subordinate officers.
Occupation guide
Occupation details and migration pathways
This guide brings together the key occupation tasks, possible visa pathways and skills assessment information for Defence Force Senior Officer ANZSCO 111212.
Typical tasks and duties
Defence Force Senior Officer may perform the following tasks:
- planning policy, and setting standards and objectives for organisations
- providing day-to-day direction and management of organisations, and directing and endorsing policy to fulfil objectives, achieve specific goals, and maximise profit and efficiency
- assessing changing situations and responding accordingly by issuing commands and directives to subordinate staff
- consulting with immediate subordinates and departmental heads on matters such as methods of operation, equipment requirements, finance, sales and human resources
- authorising the funding of major policy implementation programs
- representing the organisation at official occasions, in negotiations, at conventions, seminars, public hearings and forums, and liaising between areas of responsibility
- preparing, or arranging for the preparation of, reports, budgets and forecasts, and presenting them to governing bodies
- selecting and managing the performance of senior staff
- may undertake responsibility for some or all of accounting, sales, marketing, human resources and other specialist operations
Possible visa pathways
This occupation appears on the relevant skilled occupation list. The right visa pathway depends on factors such as your age, English level, qualifications, work experience, skills assessment, points score, nomination options and employer sponsorship.
Skilled Work Regional visa subclass 491A provisional regional skilled visa for applicants nominated by a state or territory or sponsored by an eligible family member.Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa subclass 494A provisional regional employer-sponsored visa for skilled workers sponsored by an employer in regional Australia.
Skills assessment
For skilled migration purposes, Defence Force Senior Officer may require a suitable skills assessment. The correct assessment pathway depends on the visa stream and your personal circumstances.
Legacy subclass 187 pathway
Do you currently hold, or have you previously held, a subclass 457 or 482 visa?
If you have worked for a sponsoring employer in regional Australia, please note that Defence Force Senior Officer — ANZSCO 111212 was included in the legacy Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (subclass 187) occupation list. The subclass 187 Direct Entry stream is closed to new applications, but the Temporary Residence Transition stream may remain available to certain transitional subclass 457 and subclass 482 workers. Eligibility is limited and depends on your visa history, relevant dates, sponsored regional employment, employer nomination, age, English and other requirements. Being included on this occupation list does not establish eligibility.
If this may describe your circumstances, we can assess whether the subclass 187 transitional arrangements may still apply to you.
Check your options
Check your skilled migration options
If Defence Force Senior Officer is your nominated occupation, complete our skilled visa assessment form so we can review your possible migration pathways.
Reviewed by Principal Migration Consultant
Reviewed by Mohammad Reza Azimi
This occupation page has been reviewed for migration context by Shada Migration Services. Mohammad has assisted clients with Australian migration matters since 2009 and holds a Graduate Certificate in Migration Law from the Australian National University.
Last reviewed: July 2026
