Musician (Instrumental) (ANZSCO 211213)

    Updated

    What a Musician (Instrumental) does

    Entertains by playing one or more musical instruments. This occupation requires high levels of creative talent or personal commitment and interest as well as, or in place of, formal qualifications or experience.

    Also called
    Instrumentalist
    Specialisations
    Drummer, Guitarist, Pianist, Violinist

    Key facts

    ANZSCO code
    211213
    Skill level
    1Bachelor degree or higher
    Visas that list it
    189190491494
    Assessing authority
    VETASSESS
    National shortage
    No shortage

    Visa options

    Occupation eligibility is one requirement; each visa page links to the rest.

    Main tasks

    • creating melodic, harmonic and rhythmic structures to express ideas and emotions in musical form
    • translating ideas and concepts into standard musical signs and symbols for reproduction and performance
    • undertaking research and liaising with clients when composing musical backing for television commercials, popular recordings, and radio, television and film productions
    • auditioning and selecting Musicians and Singers
    • selecting music for performances and assigning instrumental parts to musicians
    • directing musical groups at rehearsals and performances to achieve desired effects such as tonal and harmonic balance, rhythm and tempo
    • studying and rehearsing repertoire and musical scores prior to performances
    • playing music in recital, as an accompanist, or as a member of an orchestra, band or other musical group, from score and by memory
    • performing music and songs according to interpretation, direction and style of presentation, using highly developed aural skills to reproduce music

    Shortage by state

    • NationalNo shortage
    • ACTNo shortage
    • NSWNo shortage
    • NTNo shortage
    • QLDNo shortage
    • SANo shortage
    • TASNo shortage
    • VICNo shortage
    • WANo shortage

    State and territory nomination

    For the 190 and 491, each state and territory also has its own occupation list.

    Common questions

    What does a Musician (Instrumental) do?

    Entertains by playing one or more musical instruments. This occupation requires high levels of creative talent or personal commitment and interest as well as, or in place of, formal qualifications or experience. Also called: Instrumentalist. (ABS ANZSCO description.)

    Is Musician (Instrumental) on the skilled occupation list?

    Yes. Musician (Instrumental) (ANZSCO 211213) is on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) (lists in force from 14 December 2024). It is listed for the 189, 190, 491 and 494 visas.

    What is the ANZSCO code for Musician (Instrumental)?

    211213. Home Affairs uses ANZSCO codes for skilled visas.

    How can a Musician (Instrumental) migrate to Australia?

    The occupation lists Home Affairs publishes include Musician (Instrumental) for the Subclass 189, Subclass 190, Subclass 491 and Subclass 494 visas. Being on a list is one requirement among several; each visa's page links to Home Affairs for the rest.

    Who assesses Musician (Instrumental) for an Australian visa?

    VETASSESS, the skills assessing authority listed for 211213.

    Is Musician (Instrumental) in demand in Australia?

    Jobs and Skills Australia rated it "No shortage" nationally in its 2025 Occupation Shortage List, with ratings for each state and territory shown above.

    Sources

    1. 1Department of Home Affairs, skilled occupation listimmi.homeaffairs.gov.au
    2. 2Australian Bureau of Statistics, ANZSCO – Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations, 2022, CC BY 4.0abs.gov.au
    3. 3Jobs and Skills Australia, Occupation Shortage List, 2025 listjobsandskills.gov.au