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Australia immigration guide · Reviewed 1 August 2026

Australia work visas:
your complete starting guide.

Australia does not issue one universal “work permit.” Your right to work comes from the conditions attached to the visa granted to you. The correct pathway depends on your occupation, qualifications, experience, English, age, employer, points and preferred location.

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Main pathways

Which Australian work visa may fit?

Use this as an orientation only. Each subclass and stream has detailed legal criteria and visa conditions.

01

Employer-sponsored pathways

Skills in Demand — subclass 482

A temporary employer-sponsored visa. The employer must sponsor and nominate the worker. Streams include Core Skills, Specialist Skills and Labour Agreement pathways; occupation, experience, English and other requirements depend on the stream.

Employer Nomination Scheme — subclass 186

A permanent employer-nominated visa. Streams include Temporary Residence Transition, Direct Entry and Labour Agreement. Age, English, skills, occupation and experience requirements—and exemptions—depend on the stream.

Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional — subclass 494

A five-year provisional visa for eligible employer-sponsored work in designated regional Australia. The employer, position and applicant must meet the relevant stream requirements.

02

Points-tested skilled pathways

Skilled Independent — subclass 189

A permanent points-tested visa for invited skilled workers. It does not require state or employer sponsorship.

Skilled Nominated — subclass 190

A permanent points-tested visa requiring nomination by an Australian state or territory and an invitation to apply.

Skilled Work Regional — subclass 491

A five-year provisional points-tested visa requiring state or territory nomination, or sponsorship by an eligible family member, to live and work in regional Australia.

Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) — subclass 191

A permanent pathway for eligible holders of specified regional provisional visas who meet the applicable residence and other requirements.

03

Graduate, holiday and specialist work

Temporary Graduate — subclass 485

For eligible recent graduates of Australian institutions. The stream, qualification, age, duration and other rules must be checked against the current official visa page.

Working Holiday — 417 / Work and Holiday — 462

For eligible young passport holders who want an extended holiday with short-term work. Age limits, country arrangements, ballots, caps and specified-work rules vary.

Short Stay Specialist — subclass 400

For short-term, highly specialised work where the applicant has skills, knowledge or experience not generally available in Australia.

Training — subclass 407

For eligible occupational training or professional-development activities with an approved sponsor and nomination where required.

Temporary Activity 408 / International Relations 403

Limited-purpose temporary pathways for specified activities, programs or international arrangements. They are not general open work visas.

Common eligibility factors

What most applicants should prepare

01

Occupation and pathway

Confirm that your occupation and intended role qualify for the chosen visa and stream. Different occupation lists apply to different subclasses.

02

Skills assessment

A suitable assessment from the authorised assessing body is mandatory for some visas and may be requested for others.

03

English ability

Approved tests, scores, validity periods and exemptions vary. Completely online or at-home tests are generally not accepted for Australian visa purposes.

04

Work experience

Prepare detailed evidence such as payslips, bank statements, tax records, contracts and references. A reference letter alone may not prove employment history.

05

Sponsor, nomination or points

Employer visas need sponsorship and nomination. Subclasses 189, 190 and 491 require an EOI, at least 65 points to be eligible, and an invitation; higher scores may be needed in practice.

06

Health and character

Applicants and included family members may need examinations and police certificates. Home Affairs may request police certificates for relevant countries of residence.

Application roadmap

From profile review to visa decision

  1. 1

    Choose the correct visa and stream

    Compare employer-sponsored, points-tested, regional, graduate and short-stay options.

  2. 2

    Check occupation, age, English and skills

    Use the exact Home Affairs page for your subclass and stream; exemptions are specific and should never be assumed.

  3. 3

    Complete the pathway-specific first stage

    For 189, 190 or 491, submit an EOI in SkillSelect. For 482, 186 or 494, the employer normally completes sponsorship and nomination steps.

  4. 4

    Prepare decision-ready documents

    Identity, qualifications, assessment, English, employment, health, character, relationship and translated documents may be required.

  5. 5

    Apply through ImmiAccount

    Lodge the correct application, pay the current charge and monitor requests. Never submit false documents or unsupported work history.

  6. 6

    After grant, check every condition

    Use VEVO and your grant letter to confirm employer, regional, study, travel and work conditions before starting employment.

Family members

Partner and children

Many skilled work visas allow eligible family members to apply with the main applicant or later as subsequent entrants. Evidence of relationships, health, character and additional charges may apply.

Work rights

Read your conditions

A visitor visa does not permit work. Other visas may limit the employer, occupation, location, hours or type of work. Confirm conditions through VEVO.

Check conditions with VEVO ↗

Avoid scams

No visa can be guaranteed

Be cautious of anyone selling a guaranteed job, sponsorship or visa. Verify the employer, never provide false documents and use only authorised immigration assistance where required.

Official Australian Government resources

Verify before you apply

Rules can change and individual circumstances matter. Check these primary sources before any application.

Working in Australia ↗Temporary work visas ↗Permanent work visas ↗SkillSelect and EOI ↗Skills assessments ↗Document guidance ↗

Personal profile review

Not sure which pathway fits?

Send your age, occupation, qualifications, experience, English level and preferred Australian state for an initial discussion.

Message Aussies ImmigrantsGeneral information only. Visa outcomes depend on Australian law, evidence and Department of Home Affairs assessment.