Retail Buyer ANZSCO 639211: visa options and skilled lists

What a Retail Buyer does

Selects and buys goods for resale in a retail establishment.

Specialisations: Merchandise Planner

Key facts

ANZSCO code: 639211
Skill level: 3Certificate IV, or Certificate III with on-the-job training
Skilled lists: Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL)Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL)Regional Occupation List (ROL)
Visas that list it: 190 491 482 186 494
Assessing authority: VETASSESS
National shortage: No shortage

Visa options

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

Conditions apply to 2 visasSome positions don’t qualify. Open a visa below to see its conditions.

Points-tested

Subclass 189 Skilled IndependentNot on its occupation listsNot eligible
Subclass 190 Skilled NominatedVia STSOLEligible
Subclass 491, state or territory nominatedVia STSOL and ROLEligible
Subclass 491, family sponsoredNot on its occupation listsNot eligible

Employer-sponsored

Subclass 482 Skills in Demand, Core Skills streamVia CSOLConditions apply
See 1 condition
- The position: (a) is based in a front-line retail setting; or (b) predominantly involves direct client transactional interaction on a regular basis; or (c) predominantly involves selling educational courses to individual students; or (d) is based in a call centre and does not require a significant technical knowledge of products.
Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme, Direct Entry streamVia CSOLConditions apply
See 1 condition
- The position: (a) is based in a front-line retail setting; or (b) predominantly involves direct client transactional interaction on a regular basis; or (c) predominantly involves selling educational courses to individual students; or (d) is based in a call centre and does not require a significant technical knowledge of products.
Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored RegionalVia ROLEligible

Main tasks

monitoring sales data and stock levels, and studying trade, manufacturers' and market information to keep informed of changing market conditions
negotiating purchase, promotion and supply arrangements with suppliers
designing and implementing pricing, marketing, promotional and display strategies
liaising with management on long-term planning and sales promotions
establishing working plans according to seasonal and budgetary requirements
anticipating consumer trends and determining quantity, style and quality of goods to be purchased
inspecting, comparing, selecting and valuing wool by determining colour, yield, micron and length
inspecting and buying wool at auction, in wool brokers' stores and in farm sheds
receiving samples from scoured wool exchanges
may visit freezing works to buy slipe wool

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.

Wool Buyer639212

Common questions

What does a Retail Buyer do?

Selects and buys goods for resale in a retail establishment. (ABS ANZSCO description.)

Is Retail Buyer on the skilled occupation list?

Yes. Retail Buyer (ANZSCO 639211) is on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) and Regional Occupation List (ROL) (lists in force from 14 December 2024). It is listed for the 186, 190, 482, 491 and 494 visas.

What is the ANZSCO code for Retail Buyer?

639211. Home Affairs uses ANZSCO codes for skilled visas.

How can a Retail Buyer migrate to Australia?

The occupation lists Home Affairs publishes include Retail Buyer for the Subclass 186, 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 Retail Buyer for an Australian visa?

VETASSESS, the skills assessing authority listed for 639211.

Is Retail Buyer 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.