Chief Executive or Managing Director
A Chief Executive or Managing Director leads an organisation at the highest level, setting strategic direction and overseeing all operations. In Australia, this role exists across industries from listed corporations to government-owned enterprises, carrying full accountability for organisational performance and governance.
Full-time AUD, 2025 indicative. Wide bands reflect variation by employer, experience, and location.
Demand is stable; organisations always require senior leadership, though competition for top roles is high.
Occupation list membership
Which Department of Home Affairs skilled lists this occupation currently appears on.
- CSOLCombined Skilled Occupation List
The merged skilled list that consolidates previous MLTSSL and STSOL eligibility under the Skills in Demand program.
Assessing authority
The body that assesses skills for migration purposes for this occupation.
- IMLIML
Visa pathways
Australian visa subclasses for which this occupation is currently eligible.
- 186Learn more →Employer Nomination Scheme visa
Permanent employer-sponsored visa for workers nominated by an approved sponsor.
- 482Learn more →Skills in Demand visa
Employer-sponsored temporary visa (formerly TSS) for occupations on the relevant list.
- 494Learn more →Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa
Five-year employer-sponsored provisional visa in regional Australia, with a path to PR.
Key duties
- Define and implement organisational strategy and long-term objectives
- Oversee senior management teams and delegate authority across divisions
- Report to boards, shareholders, and regulatory bodies on performance
- Drive major decisions on investment, acquisitions, and risk management
Skills required
- Strategic planning and executive leadership
- Financial acumen and budget oversight
- Stakeholder engagement and corporate governance
- Change management and organisational development
Typical qualifications pathway
Typically requires a bachelor's degree in business, commerce, or a related discipline, often supplemented by an MBA or postgraduate qualification. Assessment is conducted by the Institute of Managers and Leaders (IML).
Visa & occupation list information
Listed on the CSOL, this occupation supports subclasses 186, 482, and 494. Employer sponsorship is the most practical pathway, as no points-tested visa applies For advice on which pathway suits your circumstances, consult a registered MARA migration agent.
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