Anaesthetist (ANZSCO 253211)
Updated
What an Anaesthetist does
Provides direct medical care to patients requiring general or local anaesthesia for surgical, diagnostic and other procedures such as prevention of pain and maintenance of body function. Registration or licensing is required.
- Specialisations
- Intensive Care Anaesthetist, Obstetric Anaesthetist, Pain Management Specialist
Key facts
- ANZSCO code
- 253211
- Skill level
- 1Bachelor degree or higher
- Assessing authority
- Medical Board of Australia
- National shortage
- 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 nominatedVia ROLEligible
- Subclass 491, family sponsoredNot on its occupation listsNot eligible
Employer-sponsored
Main tasks
- performing pre-operative examinations of patients to determine appropriate anaesthetic and sedation in concurrence with Specialist Physicians and Surgeons
- discussing the anaesthetic process with patients and obtaining their informed consent prior to surgery
- administering local, regional and general anaesthetics using a variety of methods such as inhalational and intravenous administration
- supervising the transfer of patients to operating theatres, positioning on operating tables, keeping patients warm, and responding quickly and accurately if any problems arise
- monitoring patients throughout surgical procedures and in immediate post-operative procedures
- recording details of anaesthetic and sedation administered, and the condition of patients before, during and after anaesthesia
- liaising with other health care workers to provide diagnosis and treatment for patients with chronic pain, and to diagnose and treat patients requiring intensive care or resuscitation
- may instruct medical, nursing, student and ancillary staff on the signs, symptoms and diagnosis of allergic and anaphylactic reactions to anaesthetic agents, and supervision and treatment of life-threatening emergencies
Shortage by state
- NationalShortage
- ACTShortage
- NSWShortage
- NTShortage
- QLDShortage
- SAShortage
- TASShortage
- VICShortage
- WAShortage
State and territory nomination
For the 190 and 491, each state and territory also has its own occupation list.
Common questions
What does an Anaesthetist do?
Provides direct medical care to patients requiring general or local anaesthesia for surgical, diagnostic and other procedures such as prevention of pain and maintenance of body function. Registration or licensing is required. (ABS ANZSCO description.)
Is Anaesthetist on the skilled occupation list?
Yes. Anaesthetist (ANZSCO 253211) is on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) and Regional Occupation List (ROL) (lists in force from 14 December 2024). It is listed for the 186, 482, 491 and 494 visas.
What is the ANZSCO code for Anaesthetist?
253211. Home Affairs uses ANZSCO codes for skilled visas.
How can an Anaesthetist migrate to Australia?
The occupation lists Home Affairs publishes include Anaesthetist for the Subclass 186, Subclass 482, 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 Anaesthetist for an Australian visa?
Medical Board of Australia, the skills assessing authority listed for 253211.
Is Anaesthetist in demand in Australia?
Jobs and Skills Australia rated it "Shortage" nationally in its 2025 Occupation Shortage List, with ratings for each state and territory shown above.