Skilled visas for Australia
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Free points calculator: Count your points now. Choose your age, English, work, study and nomination, and see your total for the 189, 190 and 491 visas straight away.
Which skilled visa suits me?
| Visa | In one line | Do I need an invitation? | Read |
|---|---|---|---|
| 189 Skilled Independent | Permanent residence for invited skilled workers, no sponsor needed | Yes, from SkillSelect | 189 guide |
| 190 Skilled Nominated | Permanent residence if a state or territory nominates you | Yes, after nomination | 190 guide |
| 491 Skilled Work Regional | Temporary visa to live and work in regional Australia | Yes | 491 guide |
| 482 Skills in Demand | Temporary visa where an employer sponsors you | No, employer-led | 482 guide |
| 485 Temporary Graduate | Temporary visa to work after you finish studying in Australia | No | 485 guide |
How does the process work?
- Check your occupation. See skilled occupation lists.
- Get a skills assessment if your occupation needs one.
- Check your points. See the points test explained.
- Submit an Expression of Interest. See SkillSelect and EOI.
- Wait for an invitation. See invitation rounds.
- Apply within 60 days of the invitation.
For the 482, an employer starts the process by sponsoring you.
Why do processing times differ?
Home Affairs sets processing priorities by Ministerial Direction. Two directions took effect on 19 September 2026 and replaced the earlier ones.
- Temporary skilled visas (482): priority goes first to construction, healthcare, teaching, agriculture, aquaculture, fishing and resources, and to law enforcement and defence interests. Then the Specialist Skills stream, then applicants who were in Australia when they lodged, then primary applicants who were outside Australia, then all others.
- Provisional and permanent skilled visas (186, 187, 189, 190, 191, 489, 491, 494, 887, 888): the same priority sectors first, then applicants in Australia, then applicants outside Australia, then all others.
What about states and territories?
The 190 and 491 need nomination or support from a state or territory. Each runs its own program with its own timing and rules. Always check the state's website. A state-by-state guide is coming on our state nomination page.
FAQ
What is the easiest skilled visa to get?
There isn't an easy one. Each has its own requirements. The best fit depends on your occupation, points, age, English level and whether an employer or state will support you.
Do I need an employer for a skilled visa?
Not for the 189, 190 or 491, which use SkillSelect. The 482 needs an employer sponsor.
Can I include my partner and children?
Often yes, as family members on the application. Your partner may also add points. See the points test explained.
How much does a skilled visa cost?
Fees change, so use our visa fees page and the official Home Affairs pricing page.
Is a skilled visa permanent?
The 189 and 190 give permanent residence. The 491, 482 and 485 are temporary.
In this section
- Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186)The 186 visa (Employer Nomination Scheme): Direct Entry and Transition streams, 186 visa processing time, A$6,140 charge, age limit and work experience.
- Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)The 189 visa is a permanent visa from A$6,135 with no sponsor needed. See the points, occupation list, invitation process and how to lodge an EOI.
- Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)The 190 visa is a permanent visa from A$6,140 with state or territory nomination and 5 bonus points. Eligibility, EOI steps and state commitments.
- Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482)The 482 visa (Skills in Demand): Core and Specialist Skills streams, 482 visa requirements, the A$4,015 charge, salary thresholds and the path to PR.
- Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485)The 485 visa (Temporary Graduate): streams, who can apply, the A$5,750 charge, how long you can stay by qualification and family rules.
- Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491)The 491 visa: a 5-year regional visa from A$6,140 for skilled workers nominated by a state or family member. Points, eligibility and the 191 PR pathway.
- Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa (subclass 494)The 494 visa for regional employers: A$6,140 fee, 5-year stay, 3 years of experience, regional areas, age limit and the pathway to PR.
- The Australian points test explainedHow Australia's skilled migration points test works: the 65-point minimum, what earns points, and how to check your score.
- English test requirements for skilled visasEnglish test scores for Australian skilled visas: minimum IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL, Cambridge, OET, MET and CELPIP scores for each English level.
- SkillSelect invitation roundsHow SkillSelect invitation rounds work: how EOIs are ranked, why the minimum points change and how long you can wait for an invitation.
- PTE vs IELTS for Australian visasPTE Academic versus IELTS for Australian visas: both accepted, how scoring, speaking and result times differ.
- Partner skills pointsPartner skills points add 10 points on some skilled visas if your partner is under 45 with an assessment and competent English. Singles can claim 10 too.
- Professional Year programProfessional Year program for IT, accounting and engineering graduates: structure, who can join, the 5 skilled migration points and skills assessment.
- Regional Australia postcodes for skilled visasWhat counts as regional Australia for the 491, 494 and 191 visas, how designated regional areas are defined by postcode and what you can do there.
- SkillSelect and Expression of Interest (EOI)What an EOI means in SkillSelect: how to lodge an expression of interest for the 189, 190 and 491 visas, what to include and how invitations work.
- Skilled occupation lists: which one applies to you?Which skilled occupation list applies to each visa, how to check if your job is on it and what happens when an occupation is removed.
- Skills assessment for Australian migrationSkills assessment for Australian migration: which authority assesses your job (ACS, Engineers Australia, VETASSESS, TRA), fees and time.
- State nomination for the 190 and 491How state and territory nomination works for the 190 and 491 visas, with a status table for each state and what to do before you register.