Your work visa options at a glance
Australia offers several work visas. The best pathway depends on whether you have a sponsor and job offer, your occupation and skills assessment, English level, age, location (metro vs regional) and whether you want temporary work rights or permanent residency.
Important: Visa policy changes regularly. This page provides general information based on commonly used pathways. Always check current requirements or get personalised advice before you apply.
Compare common work visa options
| Visa | Pathway & typical use |
|---|---|
| Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) 482 | Employer sponsors you in an eligible occupation. Often fastest route to start work. Some streams offer pathways to PR. |
| Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) 186 | Employer-sponsored permanent residency. Direct Entry or after time on a 482 with the same sponsor, subject to criteria. |
| Skilled Independent 189 | Points-tested permanent residency. No employer required. Requires occupation on list, skills assessment and invitation. |
| Skilled Nominated 190 | Points-tested permanent residency with State/Territory nomination. Occupation and nomination criteria apply. |
| Skilled Work Regional 491 (provisional) | Points-tested, State/Family sponsored regional pathway leading to PR (subclass 191) after meeting residency and income criteria. |
| Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional 494 | Regional employer sponsorship. Provisional visa with pathway to PR (191) after meeting conditions. |
| Temporary Graduate 485 | For recent Australian graduates. Work rights to gain experience and potentially transition to skilled or employer pathways. |
| Working Holiday 417 / Work and Holiday 462 | Short-term work and travel for eligible passport holders. Can support longer-term plans if criteria are later met. |
| Global Talent 858 | For exceptional talent in priority sectors. Fast‑track PR when eligible. |
Unsure which suits you? A short review of your occupation, experience, age, English, and location usually narrows to 1–2 viable options.
Eligibility checks most people make first
Core criteria
- Occupation on the relevant skilled list for your target visa
- Skills assessment required and likely outcome
- English test results or exemptions
- Age limits for points or employer streams
- Recent experience and salary level (for sponsored roles)
- Health and character requirements
Strategy considerations
- Metro vs regional roles and whether regional boosts eligibility
- State/Territory nomination lists and criteria (for 190/491)
- Timing of skills assessment, English test and EOI
- Transition from temporary to permanent (482→186, 494→191)
- Including partner and dependants from the start
Costs and typical timelines
Government charges change over time and differ by visa and family size. Expect additional costs for skills assessments, English tests, medicals, police checks and any professional fees. Employers pay nomination fees and, for sponsored visas, a Skilling Australians Fund levy.
| Item | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Government application charges | Range from hundreds to several thousand AUD for the primary applicant, plus additional applicant charges. |
| Employer nomination + SAF levy | Applies to employer-sponsored visas. Levy varies by business size and duration of sponsorship. |
| Skills assessment & English test | Paid to external bodies. Fees vary by occupation and test provider. |
| Processing times | Varies by subclass and case. Some finalise in weeks; others take months. Complete, decision‑ready files move faster. |
Documents that usually matter
Putting the core records in one place speeds up your assessment and application. Most work visa Australia guide checklists include:
- Passport(s) and current visas
- CV with detailed duties and dates
- Qualifications, transcripts and trade papers
- Employment references and payslips/contracts
- Skills assessment outcome (if required)
- English test results (IELTS/PTE/TOEFL/OET) if needed
- Health checks and police clearances when requested
- Partner/children documents for dependants
- For sponsors: business registration, financials, labour market evidence
How the process usually works
| Stage | What usually happens |
|---|---|
| 1) Option analysis | Match your profile to viable visas and identify the fastest and strongest pathway. |
| 2) Skills & English | Book and complete any required skills assessment and English test. |
| 3) Sponsorship/EOI | For employer visas: business sponsorship and nomination. For skilled points visas: lodge an EOI and seek nomination if relevant. |
| 4) Lodge visa | Submit a decision‑ready application with supporting documents; respond to requests quickly. |
| 5) Outcome & next steps | Receive a decision. If provisional, plan the PR step (e.g., 494/491 to 191). If temporary, consider pathways to 186/189/190. |
Work visa FAQ
Which Australian work visa is best for me?
If you have a sponsor and job offer, the 482 or 494 is common. If you want independent PR, look at 189/190/491. Graduates often start with 485. A quick profile review will point to the strongest option.
Can I get permanent residency after a temporary visa?
Yes, many do. Typical routes are 482→186 or 494→191, and some move from 485 to points-tested PR. The right path depends on occupation, age, English, salary and location.
Do employers have extra costs?
For sponsored visas, employers pay a nomination fee and a Skilling Australians Fund levy. They must also meet salary, labour market and compliance obligations.
How long will it take?
It varies. Decision-ready files usually move faster. Some cases finalise in weeks; complex or points-tested cases can take months. Current times are published by the Department but change.
Can my family come with me?
Most work visas allow eligible partners and children. Evidence requirements and fees apply for each family member.
Need help with Australian work visas?
Get a free initial review from our Australian migration team. We can compare options, check eligibility, estimate costs and connect you with migration agents or lawyers near you.