Main Australian Work Visa Pathways

The right visa depends on your occupation, qualifications, employment offer, age where relevant, work history, English ability and personal circumstances. The following options are useful starting points, but they are not interchangeable.

Skills in Demand Visa — Subclass 482

The Skills in Demand visa allows an approved employer to sponsor an appropriately skilled overseas worker for a nominated role that meets the relevant program requirements. It replaced the former Temporary Skill Shortage visa framework in December 2024.

Depending on the stream, applicants may need to demonstrate relevant skills, work experience, English proficiency and compliance with applicable salary and occupation rules.

The visa has three main streams:

• Core Skills stream: For nominated occupations that meet the applicable Core Skills Occupation List and other requirements.
• Specialist Skills stream: For eligible occupations and nominated salaries that meet the current Specialist Skills criteria.
• Labour Agreement stream: For eligible workers nominated under a labour agreement between the employer and the Australian Government.

The visa can allow eligible holders to stay for up to four years, subject to the stream and visa conditions. Check the current rules for your occupation and circumstances.

Official information: Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482).

Employer Nomination Scheme — Subclass 186

The Employer Nomination Scheme visa is a permanent residence pathway for eligible workers nominated by an Australian employer. Different streams have their own requirements, including employment, skills, age, English and other criteria, with exemptions possible in some cases.

Eligibility is not automatic simply because an employer offers a job. The employer and applicant must meet the requirements of the relevant stream.

Official information: Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186).

Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional — Subclass 494

This provisional visa supports eligible employer-sponsored skilled employment in designated regional areas of Australia. The job, employer, location, occupation and applicant must meet the program’s requirements.

It may provide a pathway to a later permanent visa for eligible holders, but any later application must satisfy the separate requirements that apply at that time.

Official information: Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa (subclass 494).

Points-Tested Skilled Migration

Some skilled migration visas do not depend on employer sponsorship. Depending on the visa, applicants may need an eligible occupation, a suitable skills assessment, an expression of interest, sufficient points, nomination or an invitation to apply.

Examples include:

• Skilled Independent visa — subclass 189: A permanent skilled migration route for eligible applicants who meet the relevant stream requirements.
• Skilled Nominated visa — subclass 190: A permanent visa requiring nomination by an Australian state or territory, subject to the applicable criteria.
• Skilled Work Regional visa — subclass 491: A provisional pathway for eligible skilled applicants nominated by a state or territory or sponsored by an eligible family member in designated regional Australia.

These visas have separate eligibility rules and may involve invitation rounds or state-specific requirements. Review the official visa pages before deciding which route to pursue.

Compare the Main Work Visa Options

This table is a general overview, not an eligibility assessment. Use the official Home Affairs visa pages to confirm the current rules for the route you are considering.

Who May Be Eligible?

Requirements vary significantly by visa subclass and stream. Depending on the pathway, applicants may need to demonstrate some or all of the following:

• Skills, qualifications and experience appropriate to the nominated occupation.
• A valid nomination or sponsorship from an eligible employer, where required.
• English language ability at the level required for the visa.
• Compliance with applicable occupation and salary rules.
• A suitable skills assessment or professional registration, if required.
• Compliance with age limits, points criteria or invitation rules where relevant.
• Health and character requirements.
• Accurate supporting documents and payment of applicable fees.

Some occupations require registration or licensing in the Australian state or territory where you intend to work. Visa approval does not automatically replace professional registration requirements.

Employer Sponsorship and Nomination

For employer-sponsored visas, the Australian employer generally has to complete the relevant sponsorship and nomination steps before or in connection with the worker’s application. The process varies by visa subclass.

Depending on the program, the employer may need to:

• Hold the required approval or meet sponsorship eligibility criteria.
• Nominate a genuine position that satisfies the relevant rules.
• Meet applicable salary and employment conditions.
• Complete labour market testing where required, unless an exemption applies.
• Provide correct details about the position, location and employment arrangements.
• Meet sponsorship obligations and comply with Australian workplace laws.

The worker should independently confirm the legitimacy of the employer and the job offer. A sponsorship claim made by a recruiter is not proof that the required government steps have been completed.

Official employer guidance: Sponsoring workers — Department of Home Affairs.

Documents You May Need

Your document checklist depends on the visa and your circumstances. The following are common examples, not a universal list.

• Passport: Provide a valid passport and the identity pages requested.
• Application details: Complete the required forms and online application accurately.
• Employment evidence: Provide a job offer, employment contract, nomination details or employer documents where applicable.
• Qualifications: Include relevant diplomas, degrees, trade certificates and academic records.
• Work history: Provide employer reference letters and other evidence of relevant experience.
• Skills assessment: Arrange an assessment if required for the occupation or visa route.
• English language evidence: Provide an accepted test result or evidence of an applicable exemption if permitted.
• Registration or licensing: Include professional registration evidence where required.
• Police certificates: Supply character documents requested by the department.
• Health examinations: Complete medical checks if required.
• Family records: Provide birth certificates, marriage records or other documents where family members are included.
• Translations: Arrange translations and document certification in accordance with Home Affairs instructions.

Use the current document checklist for your particular visa subclass. Submitting every document you can find is not a substitute for providing the correct evidence in the required format.

How to Apply for an Australian Work Visa

Visa Costs and Additional Expenses

Australian visa fees depend on the subclass, stream, applicant group and the date of application. Additional costs may include health examinations, police certificates, English tests, skills assessments, professional registration and document translation.

The Department of Home Affairs currently lists the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) with a base application charge from AUD 4,015 for standard applicants, subject to applicable concessions and fee rules. Other visas have different charges, and the total cost can be higher when family members or other expenses are included.

• Check the current fee on the official visa page before applying.
• Use the official visa pricing estimator for the most relevant calculation.
• Confirm whether additional applicant charges or other costs apply.
• Keep official payment receipts and records of any authorised professional services.
• Do not pay a recruiter who promises guaranteed visa approval or a guaranteed job.

Official resource: Australian visa fees and charges.

Processing Times and Application Status

Processing times vary according to the visa subclass, stream, completeness of the application, sponsorship or nomination status, health and character checks, and the department’s workload.

Home Affairs provides processing-time guidance based on recently decided applications. These figures are estimates and do not guarantee when an individual application will be finalised.

• Submit a complete and accurate application.
• Provide requested documents by the stated deadline.
• Monitor your application through the official account.
• Check current processing guidance for the exact visa subclass.
• Avoid irreversible travel or relocation commitments before the necessary visa is granted.

Official resource: Visa processing times.

Can You Bring Your Family?

Some Australian visa pathways allow eligible family members to be included in the application or to apply separately under the relevant subsequent entrant or family provisions. The rules depend on the subclass and individual circumstances.

Check whether your partner and dependent children can be included, what evidence of the relationship is required, and whether additional fees, health checks or character documents apply.

Do not assume that a family member’s visa automatically gives them unrestricted work or study rights. Review the conditions attached to each person’s visa grant.

Changing Employers or Moving to Permanent Residence

Employer-sponsored visas can include conditions that restrict the work you may do or the employer you may work for. Before changing jobs, check your visa conditions and the current rules about notifying the department, obtaining a new nomination or applying for another visa.

Some temporary sponsored workers may be eligible for a permanent residence pathway, such as the subclass 186 visa, if they meet the applicable requirements. A temporary work visa does not automatically guarantee permanent residence.

Use the official visa pages to confirm the current rules before making employment or settlement decisions.

Common Application Problems to Avoid

• Choosing a visa that does not match your occupation or circumstances.
• Relying on an outdated occupation list or income threshold.
• Assuming that every employer-sponsored visa has identical requirements.
• Providing incomplete employment or qualification evidence.
• Failing to meet the required English or skills assessment criteria.
• Submitting inconsistent information or inaccurate documents.
• Paying unverified recruiters or agents who promise a guaranteed result.
• Making travel plans before the relevant visa is granted.

If a visa is refused or the department requests further information, read the official communication carefully. Any review rights or options depend on the particular decision and applicable law.

Official Australian Immigration Resources

Use these government resources to check current eligibility, visa conditions, application fees and employer requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions