Program Director (Television or Radio)
A Director of Photography (Cinematographer) leads the visual design and lighting for film and television productions in Australia, working closely with directors to translate scripts into visual images.
Full-time AUD, 2025 indicative. Wide bands reflect variation by employer, experience, and location.
Moderate demand in feature film and high-end streaming drama production.
Occupation list membership
Which Department of Home Affairs skilled lists this occupation currently appears on.
- STSOLShort-Term Skilled Occupation List
Occupations eligible for shorter-term sponsored visas including Subclass 482 (short-term stream).
- 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.
- VETVETASSESSVisit official site →
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.
- 190Learn more →Skilled Nominated visa
Permanent visa for workers nominated by a state or territory government.
- 482Learn more →Skills in Demand visa
Employer-sponsored temporary visa (formerly TSS) for occupations on the relevant list.
- 491Learn more →Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa
Five-year provisional visa for workers willing to live and work in regional Australia.
- 494Learn more →Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa
Five-year employer-sponsored provisional visa in regional Australia, with a path to PR.
State nominations
States and territories that currently nominate this occupation for skilled migration.
| Code | State / Territory | Details |
|---|---|---|
| WA | Western Australia | View nomination → |
| SA | South Australia | View nomination → |
Key duties
- Design and implement the visual style and lighting for productions
- Select camera formats, lenses, and equipment for each production
- Direct the camera crew and liaise with the gaffer and lighting team
- Review dailies and maintain consistency of visual style
Skills required
- Cinematography and lighting design
- Camera format knowledge and digital cinema workflow
- Colour theory and visual storytelling
- Leadership of camera and lighting departments
Typical qualifications pathway
Bachelor's degree in film production with significant experience as a camera operator. VETASSESS assesses qualifications.
Visa & occupation list information
Listed on MLTSSL, supporting subclasses 189, 190, 485, and 491 For advice on which pathway suits your circumstances, consult a registered MARA migration agent.
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