Australia work visas
Australian Work Visas: A Comprehensive Guide for 2025
Australia is a leading destination for work migration, offering abundant job opportunities, high salaries, and excellent living standards. This guide provides a detailed overview of Australian work visas available in 2025, including eligibility criteria, costs, and application processes, tailored. Whether you’re seeking temporary or permanent residency, this guide will help you identify the most suitable visa for your circumstances.
Types of Australian Work Visas
Australian work visas are categorized into temporary and permanent residency options. Below, we outline the key visa subclasses, their purposes, and requirements.
Permanent Residency Work Visas
Subclass 189: Skilled Independent Visa
The Subclass 189 visa is a popular choice for skilled workers seeking permanent residency in Australia. It allows you to live, work, and study in Australia indefinitely without needing a sponsor. To be eligible, you must be under 45 years old, have an occupation listed on Australia’s skilled occupations list, submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect, and score at least 65 points on the points test. The application fee is AUD 4,640 for the primary applicant, AUD 2,320 for dependents aged 18 and over, and AUD 1,160 for dependents under 18.
Subclass 190: Skilled Nominated Visa
The Subclass 190 visa is another permanent residency option for skilled workers, requiring nomination by an Australian state or territory, which adds 5 points to your points test score. Like the Subclass 189, you must be under 45, have an occupation on the skilled occupations list, submit an EOI, and score at least 65 points. The application fees are the same as the Subclass 189: AUD 4,640 for the primary applicant, AUD 2,320 for dependents aged 18 and over, and AUD 1,160 for dependents under 18.
Subclass 186: Employer Nomination Scheme Visa
The Subclass 186 visa grants permanent residency to skilled workers with a job offer from an Australian employer. It includes three streams: Direct Entry, Temporary Residence Transition, and Labour Agreement. You must be under 45 years old, and no points test is required. The application fee is AUD 4,640 for the primary applicant, AUD 2,320 for dependents aged 18 and over, and AUD 1,160 for dependents under 18.
Subclass 858: National Innovation Visa
The Subclass 858 visa targets individuals with internationally recognized achievements in sport, arts, academia, or science. It offers permanent residency and requires sponsorship by an Australian organization or an individual of national standing in your field. There is no age limit or points test. Application fees vary and can be checked on the Australian Department of Home Affairs website.
Subclass 187: Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme Visa
The Subclass 187 visa provides permanent residency for workers in designated regional areas of Australia. It requires a job offer and sponsorship from an Australian employer. It includes two streams: Direct Entry (closed to new applications since 2019, replaced by Subclass 494) and Temporary Residence Transition. Application fees are AUD 4,640 for the primary applicant, AUD 2,320 for dependents aged 18 and over, and AUD 1,160 for dependents under 18.
Temporary Residency Work Visas
Subclass 491: Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa
The Subclass 491 visa offers up to five years of temporary residency to skilled workers in regional Australia, supporting the development of low-population areas. You must be under 45, have an occupation on the skilled occupations list, score at least 65 points on the points test, and be nominated by a state, territory, or eligible family member (adding 15 bonus points). After three years, you may apply for permanent residency via the Subclass 191 visa. The application fee is AUD 4,640 for the primary applicant, AUD 2,320 for dependents aged 18 and over, and AUD 1,160 for dependents under 18.
Subclass 482: Skills In Demand (SID) Visa
The Subclass 482 visa allows skilled workers with a job offer from an Australian employer to live and work in Australia for up to four years, depending on the stream (Core Skills, Specialist Skills, Labour Agreement, or Subsequent Entrant). Applicants need at least one year of relevant work experience, and no points test is required. Application fees are AUD 1,455 for the Short-Term stream or AUD 3,035 for the Medium-Term and Labour Agreement streams for the primary applicant and dependents aged 18 and over, and AUD 365 or AUD 760 for dependents under 18, respectively.
Subclass 485: Temporary Graduate Visa
The Subclass 485 visa allows international students who have graduated from an Australian institution to stay and work in Australia for 2 to 4 years, depending on their study program. You must be under 35 and have held an Australian student visa within the past six months. No sponsor or points test is required. The application fee is AUD 1,895 for the primary applicant, AUD 950 for dependents aged 18 and over, and AUD 475 for dependents under 18.
Subclass 494: Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa
The Subclass 494 visa permits skilled workers under 45 to work in regional Australia for up to five years with employer sponsorship. After three years, you may apply for permanent residency via the Subclass 191 visa. Your occupation must be on the skilled occupations list, and no points test is required. Application fees are AUD 4,640 for the primary applicant, AUD 2,320 for dependents aged 18 and over, and AUD 1,160 for dependents under 18.
Subclass 476: Recognised Graduate Visa
The Subclass 476 visa, designed for engineering graduates from recognized institutions, allowed up to 18 months of work or study in Australia. It closed to new applications on 1 July 2024 but may be converted to another visa. The application fee was AUD 465 for the primary applicant, AUD 230 for dependents aged 18 and over, and AUD 115 for dependents under 18.
Understanding Australian Job Offers
The term “Australian job offer” often refers to employer-sponsored visas (Subclasses 482, 186, or 187). Employers must demonstrate that no suitably qualified local candidates are available before sponsoring a foreign worker. These visas require a formal job offer and employer sponsorship.
Skilled Occupations List
Australia’s Skilled Occupations List, updated annually, highlights in-demand professions such as construction workers, engineers, doctors, registered nurses, aged care workers, chefs, tourism professionals, and teachers. For the complete and updated list, visit the Australian Department of Home Affairs website or refer to resources on Australia’s skilled occupations.
Points Test for Skilled Visas
Visas 189, 190, and 491 require a minimum of 65 points on Australia’s points test, which evaluates:
- Age: Maximum points (30) for ages 25–32; no points for 45 and above.
- 18–24 years: 25 points
- 25–32 years: 30 points
- 33–39 years: 25 points
- 40–44 years: 15 points
- 45 and above: 0 points
- Education: Points are awarded for the highest qualification only.
- Doctorate: 20 points
- Bachelor’s or Master’s: 15 points
- Diploma: 10 points
- Note: Qualifications from certain universities may deduct one point per degree level.
- English Language Proficiency: Based on tests like IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, OET, or Cambridge.
- Superior (e.g., IELTS 8): 20 points
- Proficient (e.g., IELTS 7): 10 points
- Competent (e.g., IELTS 6): 0 points
- Work Experience: Must be relevant to your nominated occupation within the last 10 years.
- Overseas (3–4 years: 5 points; 5–7 years: 10 points; 8–10 years: 15 points)
- Australian (1–2 years: 5 points; 3–4 years: 10 points; 5–7 years: 15 points; 8–10 years: 20 points)
- Other Factors: Include sponsorship (5 points for Subclass 190, 15 points for Subclass 491) and other criteria like capital or community language skills.
Processing Times
Processing times vary by visa subclass and individual circumstances. For example, Subclass 189 may take 14–24 months, while Subclass 190 typically takes 6–9 months. Check the Australian Department of Home Affairs website for detailed processing times.
Application Steps
- Assess Eligibility: Confirm your occupation is on the Skilled Occupations List and meet age, work experience, and language requirements.
- Choose the Appropriate Visa: Select the visa subclass that aligns with your circumstances.
- Gather Documents: Include a valid passport, skills
