Barrister (ANZSCO 271111)
Updated
What a Barrister does
Pleads cases before civil, criminal and industrial courts and other tribunals. Registration or licensing is required.
- Specialisations
- Queen's Counsel, Senior Counsel
Key facts
- ANZSCO code
- 271111
- Skill level
- 1Bachelor degree or higher
- Assessing authority
- LegalAuthority
- National shortage
- No 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
- receiving written information in the form of briefs and verbal instructions concerning cases from Solicitors, other specialist Legal Professionals and clients
- providing advice and written opinions on points of law
- conferring with clients and witnesses in preparation for court proceedings
- drawing up pleadings, affidavits and other court documents
- researching statutes and previous court decisions relevant to cases
- outlining the facts to the court, calling and questioning witnesses, and making addresses to the court to argue a client's case
- providing opinion on complex legal issues
- may draw up or settle documents
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 Barrister do?
Pleads cases before civil, criminal and industrial courts and other tribunals. Registration or licensing is required. (ABS ANZSCO description.)
Is Barrister on the skilled occupation list?
Yes. Barrister (ANZSCO 271111) 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 Barrister?
271111. Home Affairs uses ANZSCO codes for skilled visas.
How can a Barrister migrate to Australia?
The occupation lists Home Affairs publishes include Barrister 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 Barrister for an Australian visa?
LegalAuthority, the skills assessing authority listed for 271111.
Is Barrister 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.