anzsco.com.au
ANZSCO 253317OSCA 253317Skill level 1Version 6Updated 2026-04-26

Intensive Care Specialist

An Intensive Care Specialist manages critically ill patients in intensive care units (ICUs) of Australian hospitals, providing advanced organ support and resuscitation for life-threatening conditions.

Indicative salary range
$400,000 - $700,000+ (2025 indicative)

Full-time AUD, 2025 indicative. Wide bands reflect variation by employer, experience, and location.

Labour market demand

High demand; ICU expansion and COVID-19 legacy demands have intensified ICU specialist shortages.

Occupation list membership

Which Department of Home Affairs skilled lists this occupation currently appears on.

  • MLTSSLMedium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List

    Occupations eligible for permanent visas including Subclass 189 and 190.

  • 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.

  • MED
    MEDBA

Visa pathways

Australian visa subclasses for which this occupation is currently eligible.

State nominations

States and territories that currently nominate this occupation for skilled migration.

CodeState / TerritoryDetails
NSWNew South WalesView nomination →
VICVictoriaView nomination →
QLDQueenslandView nomination →
WAWestern AustraliaView nomination →
SASouth AustraliaView nomination →
TASTasmaniaView nomination →
ACTAustralian Capital TerritoryView nomination →

Key duties

  • Manage mechanically ventilated, haemodynamically unstable, and multi-organ failure patients
  • Oversee ICU team rounds and lead critical care management decisions
  • Perform procedures including central venous access, arterial lines, and bronchoscopy
  • Lead rapid response and medical emergency team activations

Skills required

  • Critical care medicine and organ support
  • Advanced airway management and mechanical ventilation
  • Haemodynamic monitoring and vasopressor management
  • End of life care communication and ethics

Typical qualifications pathway

MBBS plus FCICM (Fellowship of CICM); AHPRA specialist registration. MedBA assesses qualifications.

Visa & occupation list information

Listed on MLTSSL and CSOL, enabling subclasses 186, 189, 190, 482, 485, 491, and 494 For advice on which pathway suits your circumstances, consult a registered MARA migration agent.

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Occupation record last reviewed by editorial team: