Surgeon (General) (ANZSCO 253511)
Updated
What a Surgeon (General) does
Performs surgery to correct diseases and disorders covering a broad range of medical conditions. Registration or licensing is required.
Key facts
- ANZSCO code
- 253511
- 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 IndependentVia MLTSSLEligible
- Subclass 190 Skilled NominatedVia MLTSSLEligible
- Subclass 491, state or territory nominatedVia MLTSSLEligible
- Subclass 491, family sponsoredVia MLTSSLEligible
Employer-sponsored
Main tasks
- examining patients to determine the necessity of operations, estimating and explaining risks to patients, and selecting the best operational procedures
- reviewing reports on patients' general physical condition, reactions to medications and medical histories
- consulting with Anaesthetists regarding the correct anaesthesia for patients
- performing surgical operations
- examining instruments, equipment, and surgical set-up to ensure that antiseptic and aseptic methods have been followed
- instructing other medical, nursing and associated staff regarding the preparation of patients and instrument and equipment requirements
- prescribing post-operative care, and observing and investigating patients' progress
- maintaining records of operations performed
- may specialise in particular types of operations
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 a Surgeon (General) do?
Performs surgery to correct diseases and disorders covering a broad range of medical conditions. Registration or licensing is required. (ABS ANZSCO description.)
Is Surgeon (General) on the skilled occupation list?
Yes. Surgeon (General) (ANZSCO 253511) 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 Surgeon (General)?
253511. Home Affairs uses ANZSCO codes for skilled visas.
How can a Surgeon (General) migrate to Australia?
The occupation lists Home Affairs publishes include Surgeon (General) 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 Surgeon (General) for an Australian visa?
Medical Board of Australia, the skills assessing authority listed for 253511.
Is Surgeon (General) 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.