Barrister
A Barrister is an independent specialist legal advocate who appears before Australian courts and tribunals, providing expert advice on complex legal matters and representing clients in litigation.
Full-time AUD, 2025 indicative. Wide bands reflect variation by employer, experience, and location.
Consistent demand; barristers are engaged across commercial litigation, criminal law, and administrative law.
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.
- SLASLAA
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.
- 189Learn more →Skilled Independent visa
Permanent points-tested visa for workers not sponsored by an employer, family member, or state.
- 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.
- 485Learn more →Temporary Graduate visa
Post-study work visa for recent graduates of Australian qualifications.
- 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 |
|---|---|---|
| VIC | Victoria | View nomination → |
| WA | Western Australia | View nomination → |
| SA | South Australia | View nomination → |
Key duties
- Appear as counsel in Supreme, Federal, and High Courts
- Draft legal opinions and advise on complex points of law
- Prepare and argue cases at trial, appeal, and arbitration
- Accept briefs from solicitors and provide specialist legal advocacy
Skills required
- Legal advocacy and courtroom procedure
- Legal research and opinion writing
- Evidence law and appellate advocacy
- Specialist legal knowledge in relevant practice area
Typical qualifications pathway
LLB or JD plus bar admission in the relevant state or territory. VETASSESS assesses qualifications for overseas applicants.
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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