Intensive Care Specialist (ANZSCO 253317)

    Updated

    What an Intensive Care Specialist does

    Investigates, diagnoses and treats patients in need of intensive and critical care. Registration or licensing is required.

    Also called
    Intensive Care Medicine Specialist, Intensivist

    Key facts

    ANZSCO code
    253317
    Skill level
    1Bachelor degree or higher
    Visas that list it
    189190491482186494
    Assessing authority
    Medical Board of Australia
    National shortage
    Shortage

    Visa options

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

    Main tasks

    • examining patients to determine the nature and extent of problems after referral from General Medical Practitioners and other medical specialists, and undertaking laboratory tests and diagnostic procedures
    • analysing test results and other medical information to make diagnoses
    • prescribing and administering drugs, and remedial and therapeutic treatment and procedures
    • recording medical information and data
    • reporting specified contagious and notifiable diseases to government health and immigration authorities
    • may admit or refer patients to hospitals
    • may consult other medical specialists

    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 Intensive Care Specialist do?

    Investigates, diagnoses and treats patients in need of intensive and critical care. Registration or licensing is required. Also called: Intensive Care Medicine Specialist, Intensivist. (ABS ANZSCO description.)

    Is Intensive Care Specialist on the skilled occupation list?

    Yes. Intensive Care Specialist (ANZSCO 253317) is on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) and Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) (lists in force from 14 December 2024). It is listed for the 186, 189, 190, 482, 491 and 494 visas.

    What is the ANZSCO code for Intensive Care Specialist?

    253317. Home Affairs uses ANZSCO codes for skilled visas.

    How can an Intensive Care Specialist migrate to Australia?

    The occupation lists Home Affairs publishes include Intensive Care Specialist for the Subclass 186, Subclass 189, Subclass 190, 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 Intensive Care Specialist for an Australian visa?

    Medical Board of Australia, the skills assessing authority listed for 253317.

    Is Intensive Care Specialist 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.

    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