Applying for an Australian work visa can be a complex process, especially if you are aiming for permanent residency or an employer-sponsored role. Understanding the visa requirements, the points test, and the right visa types will help you avoid delays and maximise your prospects of success.
This guide is tailored for skilled workers, New Zealand citizens, employer-sponsored applicants, and those seeking state or territory government nomination. Whether you want to live and work permanently in Australia or stay temporarily under a short-term stream, we explain the steps in plain English so you can make informed decisions and lodge a decision-ready visa application.
What Is an Australian Work Visa?
An Australian work visa is a legal document that allows a non-citizen to live and work in Australia for a specific period or on a permanent basis. These visas are issued by the Australian Government and are designed to meet the needs of the labour market, support economic growth, and attract skilled professionals from around the world.
There are multiple visa types available, each with its own eligibility criteria, benefits, and conditions. Common options include:
- Skilled visas – For skilled workers who meet the points test and have an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List, such as the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) or Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190).
- Employer sponsored visas – For applicants nominated by an Australian employer, such as the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) or Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482).
- State or territory government nominated visas – For applicants nominated by an Australian state or territory government agency, such as the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491).
- Special categories – For certain groups, such as New Zealand citizens, who may be eligible for work rights under specific arrangements.
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Book a Consultation
If you are interested in getting more information about a visa, get in touch with Australian Migration Lawyers for a consultation.
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Some work visas provide a direct pathway to permanent residency, while others are temporary but can lead to a permanent visa if specific requirements are met. The right choice depends on factors such as your occupation, qualifications, work experience, English proficiency, and whether you have an employer or state nomination.
Check your likely costs with our free fee calculator before applying.
The Employer Sponsorship Pathway
If you have a job offer from an Australian employer, the employer sponsorship pathway generally follows three stages: sponsorship, nomination, and visa application.
Stage 1: Standard Business Sponsorship
Your prospective employer must first be approved as a Standard Business Sponsor, or hold a current labour agreement, before they can nominate you. This approval lasts five years and must be held at the time a nomination is lodged, though it does not need to be held continuously while employing a sponsored worker.
Stage 2: Nomination
Your employer then lodges a nomination for your specific position. For the Skills in Demand visa's Core Skills stream, the nominated occupation must appear on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), and most nominations require labour market testing evidence, generally showing at least two genuine job advertisements run for a minimum of 28 days within the four months before the nomination is lodged. The Specialist Skills stream does not use any occupation list, eligibility instead depends purely on the salary offered meeting the Specialist Skills Income Threshold.
The nominated salary must also meet the relevant income threshold, currently the Core Skills Income Threshold of $79,499 per year, calculated as guaranteed base salary only. Your employer will also generally need to pay the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy at the nomination stage, calculated according to their annual turnover.
Stage 3: Visa Application
Once your employer's sponsorship and nomination are both in place, you can lodge your own visa application. It is generally best to have the nomination approved before lodging the visa application, lodging out of sequence can cause delays or complications, though it is possible to lodge concurrently in some circumstances with appropriate advice.
The Points-Tested Pathway
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility
Before starting your work visa application, you must first confirm you meet the Australian work visa criteria. Most skilled visas require you to be:
- Under the age limit of 45 (some exemptions apply).
- Have an occupation on the relevant Skilled Occupation List.
- Meet the minimum points score for a points-tested visa.
- Hold a valid passport.
- Pass a skills assessment from the appropriate assessing authority (e.g., Engineers Australia, VETASSESS).
A minimum of 65 points is generally required to be eligible to submit an Expression of Interest, though a higher score significantly improves your chances of receiving an invitation given how competitive most invitation rounds are.
Skills Assessment
For most skilled visas, a positive skills assessment is a mandatory requirement. This process verifies your qualifications and relevant work experience against Australian standards. Results usually have an expiry date, so you should plan your lodgement timeline carefully. You cannot proceed to lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) until you have this assessment. In many cases, the assessing authority is an Australian government body or approved Australian business.
English Language Requirements
Most Australian work visas require proof of English proficiency through accepted English language tests such as IELTS, PTE Academic, or TOEFL iBT. Higher scores can boost your points test ranking.
Applicants from certain countries may be exempt, but rules change, so you must check before lodging your visa application.
Step 2: Lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI)
Once you meet the eligibility requirements and have a positive skills assessment, you can lodge your EOI through SkillSelect. Your EOI will be ranked based on several factors, including:
- Age
- English language proficiency
- Skilled work experience
- Education
- State or territory government nomination
- Sponsorship by an eligible relative or Australian permanent resident
Using a points calculator can help you see how many points you have and how close you are to an invitation. Keep in mind that the minimum points test score changes periodically.
Step 3: Receive an Invitation to Apply
If your EOI score meets the cut-off, you may receive an invitation for a:
- Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)
- Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186)
- Other skilled visas or employer-sponsored visas
You typically have 60 days to lodge your visa application, and delays can cost you the invitation.
Required Documents
A complete Australian work visa application usually includes:
- Identity documents
- Skills assessment results
- English language test results
- Police clearances
- Medical examinations
- Evidence of qualifications and work experience
Consider getting professional assistance as submitting a decision-ready application reduces processing delays and helps you enter Australia sooner.
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Common Skilled Visa Options
If you have a nominated occupation on the relevant Skilled Migration Blog, there are several visa options available to you. The most common pathways include:
These visa types each have their own specific criteria, and choosing the right one is essential to your success.
Permanent Residency Pathways
Whichever pathway you take, most Australian work visas offer a route to permanent residency, either directly, as with the 189 and 190, or after meeting further requirements, as with the Skills in Demand visa's transition to the 186 after two years, or the 491's transition to the 191 after three years of living and working in a designated regional area.
The Importance of a Nominated Occupation
When applying for a skilled Australian work visa, your nominated occupation is critical. The Department of Home Affairs maintains a list of skilled occupations for which Australia has a skills shortage. To be eligible for a skilled visa, your occupation must be on the relevant list. This ensures that you are meeting a genuine need within the Australian labour market.
For employer-sponsored visas specifically, this also involves labour market testing, where the sponsoring employer must generally demonstrate they were unable to find a suitably skilled Australian worker before nominating an overseas applicant.
What To Consider Before You Apply
Before you begin your visa application process, you should consider a few key things. Firstly, you must gather all the necessary documents for your application. This can include your valid passport, a positive skills assessment, and the results of your English language tests. You should also review the eligibility criteria for the visa types that interest you. It is also important to consider the visa fees, as these can be substantial. Finally, check for any recent changes to Australian work visas, as the regulations are constantly being updated.
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How Australian Migration Lawyers Can Help
Our registered migration lawyers can assist with:
- Eligibility checks
- Skills assessments
- Maximising your points test score
- Preparing decision-ready applications
- Understanding visa fees and documentation
For those in or near Melbourne, our migration lawyers in Melbourne offer tailored advice.
Key Takeaway
Whether you are an invited worker, an employer-sponsored applicant, or seeking nomination from a state or territory government, a structured approach and expert advice can greatly improve your success rate. A trusted migration lawyer can help you navigate the process for your nominated occupation.
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