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Australia offers several routes for skilled workers: points-tested visas that you apply for after an invitation, state or territory nomination, regional visas, and employer-sponsored visas. The points-tested visas use a points test, and you need at least 65 points on your expression of interest to be considered for an invitation, although reaching 65 does not guarantee one. This guide explains how the main options differ, what the steps are and what to check, so you can decide which route to look at first. It is written for skilled workers from anywhere, including the UK, the US, Ireland, Canada and other countries.
The main skilled visa options compared
| Visa | Who it is for | Permanent or temporary | Key feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skilled Independent (subclass 189) | Invited workers with skills Australia needs | Permanent | Live and work anywhere in Australia, with no employer or state sponsor needed |
| Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) | Invited workers nominated by a state or territory | Permanent | Nomination by a state or territory government, and a commitment to the nominating location |
| Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) | Skilled workers who want to live and work in regional Australia | Provisional | Nomination by a state or territory, or sponsorship by an eligible family member |
| Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) (subclass 191) | Holders of eligible regional provisional visas | Permanent | You must have lived and worked in regional Australia while holding the provisional visa |
| Skills in Demand (subclass 482) | Skilled workers sponsored by an employer | Temporary | An employer sponsors you for a position, rather than you applying through a points test |
The 189, 190 and 491 visas are all points-tested, so you submit an expression of interest and wait for an invitation. Employer-sponsored visas work differently: the starting point is a job offer from an approved sponsor. Fees, processing times and the number of places in each category change, so check the Department of Home Affairs pages for each visa before you plan.
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How the points test works
When you complete an expression of interest in SkillSelect, the system gives you an indicative score. Points are awarded for factors such as age, work experience, educational qualifications and English language proficiency. The threshold is 65 points. Meeting the threshold does not mean you will be invited, because invitations depend on how many people want a place and on the priorities set for each round.
Steps for a points-tested visa
- Check your occupation. Find out whether your occupation is on the skilled occupation list that applies to the visa you want, and which assessing body covers it.
- Get a skills assessment. Apply to the relevant assessing authority and obtain a positive outcome for your occupation.
- Take an English test if needed. Higher results earn more points, so check what your target score would add.
- Submit an expression of interest. Do this in SkillSelect and update it at any time before you receive an invitation.
- Wait for an invitation. An invitation means you may apply. It is not a visa.
- Apply within 60 days. After an invitation you have 60 days to complete and submit the visa application online through ImmiAccount.
- Complete health and character checks. Expect health examinations and police certificates from the countries where you have lived.
Which route to look at first
| Your situation | Where to start |
|---|---|
| Skilled worker with a high points score and no employer | The 189 visa, and the 190 if a state or territory is willing to nominate you |
| Skilled worker willing to live outside the big cities | The 491 visa, with the 191 as the permanent step afterwards |
| Worker with a job offer from an Australian employer | The employer-sponsored Skills in Demand visa, and ask the employer about sponsor approval |
| Worker with a relative in regional Australia | The 491 with family sponsorship, if the relative is eligible |
| Couple where one partner scores higher | Compare scores and consider submitting the expression of interest in the higher-scoring partner’s name |
| Recent graduate | Check graduate and post-study options as well as skilled routes; see the links below |
What can change, and how to stay current
Skilled migration settings change often. The occupation lists, the invitation priorities, the number of places in each category, the visa charges and the processing times are all adjusted by the government, sometimes mid-year. Use the Department of Home Affairs website as your source for each of these before you pay for an assessment or a test, and treat third-party summaries, including this one, as a starting map rather than the final word. Be careful with anyone who promises an invitation or a fixed processing time.
Documents to gather early
| Document | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Passport and identity documents | Needed for the assessment, the expression of interest and the visa application |
| Qualification certificates and transcripts | Used for the skills assessment and for education points |
| Employment references and payslips | Evidence of the work experience you claim |
| English test result | Proof of language ability and points |
| Police certificates | Required for the character requirement, from each country where you have lived for a set period |
| Health examination results | Required for the health requirement |
Related guides: how to apply for an Australian visa online from any country, bringing family to Australia, the Australia visitor visa, work visas for new graduates and post-study work visas. To compare with other destinations, see working in Canada and the Germany Opportunity Card and skilled worker visa.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many points do I need?
You need at least 65 points to be considered for an invitation under the 189, 190 and 491 visas. Meeting the threshold does not guarantee an invitation.
Do I need a job offer?
Not for the points-tested visas. The 189 does not need an employer or state sponsor. Employer-sponsored visas such as the Skills in Demand visa do need a sponsoring employer.
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Is the 189 visa permanent?
Yes. It lets invited workers live and work permanently anywhere in Australia.
How long do I have to apply after an invitation?
You have 60 days from the invitation date to submit your visa application online.
What is the difference between the 491 and the 191?
The 491 is a provisional visa for skilled workers who live and work in regional Australia. The 191 is the permanent visa that eligible holders of regional provisional visas can apply for after meeting the regional living and working conditions.
Can my partner be the main applicant?
Yes. If your own score is below the threshold and your partner meets it, your partner can submit the expression of interest as the main applicant and list you as a family member.
Where do I find current fees and processing times?
On the Department of Home Affairs page for each visa. Both change, so check them on the day you plan your budget and timeline.
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