Geotechnical Engineer, ANZSCO 233212: code, lists, and assessment

Geotechnical Engineer (233212) is ANZSCO code 233212, skill level 1. Geotechnical Engineers plan, direct, and conduct survey work to analyse how soil and rock will behave under pressure from proposed structures. They design foundations, both above and below ground. The role is classified at skill level 1, meaning it typically requires a bachelor degree or higher qualification. Registration or licensing may be required.

Who assesses it

The assessing authority for Geotechnical Engineer is not verified in our current data. The occupation page carries the current authority details, sourced from ABS and Home Affairs. Check there before lodging any skills assessment application.

Which lists it sits on

Geotechnical Engineer (233212) appears on two Australian skilled occupation lists, as published by the Department of Home Affairs:

• Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL): opens pathways including the subclass 189 and 190 skilled visas, among others.
• Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL): relevant to the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) and related pathways.

Both lists are at the Home Affairs Skill Occupation List page. Being on a list opens a pathway. It is not itself a guarantee of any visa grant or assessment outcome.

2025 shortage rating: The 2025 Occupation Shortage List rates Geotechnical Engineer as S (shortage) at the national level. The current rating is also shown on the occupation page. A shortage rating and list membership are separate things. An occupation can be in shortage and on the MLTSSL, or in shortage and off every list, or on a list and not in shortage. Read both sources independently.

Near-miss codes

The Civil Engineering Professionals group (2332) contains several related codes. Two common near-misses:

• Civil Engineer (233211) covers the full range of civil infrastructure: dams, bridges, pipelines, airports. If your work spans multiple infrastructure types rather than focusing on ground conditions, 233211 may be the closer fit.
• Quantity Surveyor (233213) covers project cost management and contracts, not design or ground analysis.

If your work sits mainly in one of those areas, check the specific code. Geotechnical work is ground-specific: subsurface investigation, soil classification, slope stability, and foundation design. If that is the core of your role, 233212 is likely the better fit. The ABS description is the deciding text.

Find your code

Browse all ANZSCO 2022 occupations to confirm the right code for your work. The correct code matters: a mismatch between what you claim and what an assessing authority reads in your CV can delay or affect an assessment outcome. If you are unsure which code fits, the CV matcher can match your CV to the closest codes and show its reasoning. For advice on which visa applies to your situation, speak with a registered migration agent.