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What Are My Work Visa Requirements if I Want to Work in Marketing in Australia?

If you are considering a career in marketing in Australia, you will need to have an occupation on the Skilled Occupations List (SOL) to be eligible for the Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482). The Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) code for each occupation specifies the qualifications and experience required for the position. This article will consider three common marketing occupations in Australia and the specific skill requirements required to access a work visa for each occupation.

Marketing Specialist (ANZSCO Code 225113)

If you are a Marketing Specialist, your role will typically involve identifying market opportunities and advising on the marketing plans for a company’s products and services. In particular, your daily tasks could include:

  • planning and managing advertising policies and campaigns;
  • advising executives and clients on advertising strategies and campaigns;
  • coordinating the production of advertising campaigns (e.g. artwork, scripting, TV production, social media);
  • analysing consumer data and predicting consumer trends;
  • researching market characteristics and demand for new goods/services;
  • preparing and executing marketing objectives to support business growth;
  • conducting research to identify market opportunities; and
  • advising on all elements of marketing.

To be eligible for the subclass 482 visa as a Marketing Specialist, you are required to:

  • hold a Bachelor’s degree or higher in the field; or 
  • have at least five years of relevant work experience to substitute for the lack of formal qualification.  

For the purpose of the subclass 482 visa, you must also demonstrate that you possess at least two years of full-time work experience within the last five years relevant to the occupation of a Marketing Specialist. Relevant work experience usually means that you were working in an occupation belonging to the same Unit Group as the nominated occupation.

In addition, if you are potentially being sponsored as a Marketing Specialist under the 482 visa, there are additional criteria, known as caveats, that you should be aware of. Particularly, you will not be eligible as a Marketing Specialist if the: 

  • position has annual salary less than AUD $65,000 (also note that the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) is currently set at $70,000);
  • potential employer has an annual turnover of less than AUD $1 million; and
  • position is based in a front-line retail setting that predominantly involves direct and regular client interaction.
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Case Study

Maggie is an Advertising Specialist from the United States with a Bachelor’s degree in Communications and 3 years of full-time work experience devising and coordinating advertising campaigns for plant-based food products. She was offered the role of Marketing Specialist by a plant-based food start-up company in Australia that is an approved standard business sponsor. The company recently filed their financial reports, declaring its most recent annual turnover to be $700,000.

Maggie is likely eligible for the 482 visa based on her skills, experience, and qualifications. She has a Bachelor’s degree and at least two years of full-time work experience within the last five years relevant to the occupation of a Marketing Specialist. This applies because the Advertising Specialist occupation belongs to the same Unit Group as the Marketing Specialist, Unit Group 2251

However, it is unlikely for her potential sponsor to successfully nominate her for the position, as they need to have an annual turnover of not less than $1 million, in accordance with the caveats.

Sales and Marketing Manager (ANZSCO Code 131112)

Generally, as a Sales and Marketing Manager, you will be responsible for planning and managing the sales and marketing activities within a business. This is an executive level position, so the role will need to manage a team. In particular, your daily tasks should include directing the development and implementation of strategies to:

  • create sales, including setting sales targets;
  • promote an organisation’s goods and services;
  • generate increased consumption of an organisation’s goods and services through creating and reinforcing a brand image or loyalty; and
  • build and maintain an organisation’s image and reputation with its customers, investors and the wider public.

Similarly, to qualify for a 482 visa as a Sales and Marketing Manager, you will need a Bachelor’s degree or higher in the field, or have at least five years of relevant work experience. In addition to the formal qualification, some cases may also require:

  • relevant experience; or 
  • on-the-job training. 

You also need to show two years of full-time relevant work experience within the last five years. However, if you are potentially being sponsored under the 482 visa, you will not be eligible for this occupation if your position:

  • is in a business with an annual turnover of less than AUD $1 million;
  • has an annual salary of less than AUD $80,000; or
  • is based in a front-line retail setting that predominantly involves direct and regular client interaction.
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Market Research Analyst (ANZSCO Code 225112)

A Market Research Analyst role includes: 

  • assessing the market for new goods and services;
  • devising advertising strategies; and 
  • evaluating optimal business locations for commercial organisations. 

To qualify for this occupation, you will also need a Bachelor’s degree or higher in the field, or have at least five years of relevant work experience. For the purpose of the 482 visa, you also need to show two years of full-time relevant work experience within the last five years.

Please note that if you are potentially being sponsored under the 482 visa, you will not be eligible for this occupation if the position:

  • has annual salary less than AUD $65,000; and
  • is not located in a designated regional area.

Pathway to Permanent Residence

On 25 November 2023, the Migration Amendment (Expanding Access to Temporary Residence Transition Stream) Regulations 2023 (the Regulations) revised the Migration Regulations 1994 to broaden pathways to permanent residence for all 482 visa holders. Previously, occupations like Marketing Specialist, Sales and Marketing Manager, and Market Research Analyst were ineligible for permanent residence via the Employer Nomination Scheme Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream (Subclass 186). 

This has now changed, and all 482 visa holders can access permanent residency via the 186 TRT, subject to meeting its criteria. This may improve your ability to become a permanent resident.

Key Takeaways

Considering a career in marketing in Australia entails navigating specific:

  • skills;
  • qualifications; and 
  • work experience requirements. 

Various marketing roles, including Marketing Specialist, Sales and Marketing Manager, and Market Research Analyst, require a specific level of qualification and experience for temporary work visa eligibility, with potential caveats to consider. 

If you have any questions about your eligibility for a temporary work visa in Australia for marketing, your experienced immigration lawyers can assist as part of our LegalVision membership. For a low monthly fee, you will have unlimited access to lawyers to answer your questions and draft and review your documents. Call us today on 1300 544 755 or visit our membership page.

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Francis Manuel

Francis Manuel

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