N
The Global Insight

What are occupational skills?

Author

Michael Gray

Updated on April 01, 2026

Occupational skills are a set of knowledge and skills that employees need for a specific job or occupation. Employability skills or workplace skills prepare individuals for any job.

What are the skills needed to run any occupation?

The top ten skills graduate recruiters want

  • Commercial awareness (or business acumen) This is about knowing how a business or industry works and what makes a company tick.
  • Communication.
  • Teamwork.
  • Negotiation and persuasion.
  • Problem solving.
  • Leadership.
  • Organisation.
  • Perseverance and motivation.

What are the three basic occupational skills?

Research has found there are three basic categories of skills in the world: knowledges, transferable skills and self-management skills. Not too long ago, knowledges – what you know – were the most important skills in the workplace.

What are the 12 skills needed for employment?

12 Essential Skills Every Employee Should Have

  • Communication. More than two-thirds of recruiters across all industries say communication is the most important skill they look for.
  • Decision-Making.
  • Flexibility.
  • Commitment.
  • Innovation.
  • Integrity.
  • Leadership.
  • Life-long Learning.

What are the three main types of skill?

There are three types of skills: functional, self-management and special knowledge.

What do you need to know about occupational skills?

Occupational Skills. Occupational skills are a set of knowledge and skills that employees need for a specific job or occupation.

How to find out what skills you need to get a job?

Explore the knowledge and skills needed for a specific career and industry. Employability skills make the difference between who can do the job and who gets (and keeps) the job. Locate resources for job seekers, students, and career advisors. Discover fun ways to identify your skills.

What do you need to know about occupations in Australia?

The combined list specifies: the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) code for each occupation. The ANZSCO provides information on the skill level of jobs, qualifications and/or experience needed to work in occupations.

Where can I find list of skilled occupations?

A current list of eligible skilled occupations can be found in a legislative instrument for the relevant visa program. *The RSMS ROL list is a separate list of occupations that applies to the RSMS visa only.