Director of Photography (ANZSCO 212313)
Updated
What a Director of Photography does
Plans, directs and coordinates filming to control the quality and style of photography in films or videos.
- Also called
- Cinematographer
Key facts
- ANZSCO code
- 212313
- Skill level
- 1Bachelor degree or higher
- Skilled lists
- Regional Occupation List (ROL)
- Visas that list it
- 494
- Assessing authority
- VETASSESS
- National shortage
- No shortage
Visa options
Occupation eligibility is one requirement; each visa page links to the rest.
Points-tested
- Subclass 189 Skilled IndependentNot on its occupation listsNot eligible
- Subclass 190 Skilled NominatedNot on its occupation listsNot eligible
- Subclass 491, state or territory nominatedNot on its occupation listsNot eligible
- Subclass 491, family sponsoredNot on its occupation listsNot eligible
Employer-sponsored
- Subclass 482 Skills in Demand, Core Skills streamNot on its occupation listsNot eligible
- Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme, Direct Entry streamNot on its occupation listsNot eligible
Main tasks
- studying scripts and scenarios to determine theme and setting
- assessing locations and staging requirements for productions in association with specialist designers
- overseeing creative aspects of film, television, radio and stage productions
- determining lighting, film, shutter angles, filter factors, camera distance, depth of field and focus, angles of view and other variables to achieve desired mood and effect
- viewing film and video tape to evaluate and select scenes and determine which scenes need to be re-shot
- planning and organising the preparation and presentation of programs
- supervising the positioning of scenery, props and lighting and sound equipment
- assessing technical requirements of productions by studying scripts and discussing program content, set locations and stage directions with production team
- creating, planning, writing scripts for, recording, videotaping and editing programs
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 Director of Photography do?
Plans, directs and coordinates filming to control the quality and style of photography in films or videos. Also called: Cinematographer. (ABS ANZSCO description.)
Is Director of Photography on the skilled occupation list?
Yes. Director of Photography (ANZSCO 212313) is on the Regional Occupation List (ROL) (lists in force from 14 December 2024). It is listed for the 494 visa.
What is the ANZSCO code for Director of Photography?
212313. Home Affairs uses ANZSCO codes for skilled visas.
How can a Director of Photography migrate to Australia?
The occupation lists Home Affairs publishes include Director of Photography for the Subclass 494 visa. Being on a list is one requirement among several; each visa's page links to Home Affairs for the rest.
Who assesses Director of Photography for an Australian visa?
VETASSESS, the skills assessing authority listed for 212313.
Is Director of Photography 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.