Work visa Australia: learn how to apply

The Australian government offers several pathways for foreigners who wish to work visa Australia routes — from employer-sponsored skilled visas to working holidays and independent skilled migration. The right visa depends on your occupation, qualifications, intended length of stay, and whether you have a job offer in hand.

Before starting any application, it is essential to assess your eligibility and understand the specific requirements for your visa type, to avoid delays or refusals.

Types of Australian work visas

Australia’s work visa landscape changed significantly in late 2024. The most important update: the Skills in Demand (SID) visa replaced the old Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa on 7 December 2024. Any guide that still refers only to the “TSS 482” is out of date.

Here is an overview of the main work visa options available in 2025.

Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482)

The Skills in Demand (SID) visa — officially subclass 482 — is now Australia’s primary employer-sponsored temporary work visa. It replaced the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) 482 visa on 7 December 2024 and introduced a three-stream structure based on salary level and occupation type.

The three streams:

• Core Skills stream — for occupations listed on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), with a minimum annual salary of AUD 76,515 (indexed annually from 1 July 2025). Requires at least 12 months of relevant work experience within the last 5 years.
• Specialist Skills stream — for highly paid senior or expert professionals (minimum salary AUD 141,210). No occupation list requirement, 7-day processing target.
• Labour Agreement stream — for employers with a formal labour agreement with the Commonwealth, covering industries facing acute shortages (agriculture, hospitality, regional sectors).

Key improvements over the old TSS visa:

• Visa valid for up to 4 years (uniform across all streams)
• Work experience requirement reduced from 2 years to 1 year
• If employment ends, holders have 180 consecutive days (up to 365 cumulative) to find a new sponsor
• Clear pathway to permanent residence via the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) after 2 years of full-time employment

For a deeper dive, read our in-depth article on the 482 visa Australia.

Short Stay Specialist visa (subclass 400)

The subclass 400 is for individuals who need to do short-term, highly specialised work in Australia — up to 6 months. The work must be non-ongoing and a strong business case must accompany the application. The aim is to prove that the applicant brings specialist skills, knowledge, or experience that cannot be sourced locally.

Learn more in our dedicated article on the Visa 400 Australia.

Temporary Activity and International Relations visas (subclass 403 and 408)

• 403 visa — for foreign workers invited to Australia for activities that improve the country’s international relations, governed by bilateral agreements between Australia and the worker’s home country government.
• 408 visa — for skilled foreign workers who need to carry out specific short-term work in Australia, requiring sponsorship by the inviting organisation.

Working Holiday visa (subclass 417) and Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462)

The Working Holiday Maker (WHM) program has been in place since 1975 and allows young adults to holiday in Australia for 12 months while funding their trip through short-term work. There are two visa types:

417 visa Australia

Open to citizens aged 18 to 30 (or 35 for some countries) from countries with a reciprocal agreement with Australia. Allows a 12-month extended holiday during which holders can work to fund their stay. Can be renewed for a second and third year if certain regional work requirements are met.

462 visa Australia

Open to citizens aged 18 to 30 from a different set of countries, including the United States. Holders can holiday in Australia for 12 months and work to fund their trip.

What is the difference between the 417 and 462 visa?

Although the two visa types appear similar, they require different documentation. The 462 visa has educational requirements and English language requirements that the 417 does not. For citizens of some countries, the 462 visa also requires a letter of support from the applicant’s home government.

Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)

The Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190) is a permanent visa for skilled workers nominated by an Australian state or territory government. It allows the holder to live and work anywhere in Australia as a permanent resident from the date of grant.

Requirements include:

• Occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list
• A positive skills assessment from the appropriate assessing authority
• A nomination from an Australian state or territory government
• Minimum 65 points in the points test (in practice, competitive scores are 80–90+ points)

The base application charge is AUD 4,770 for the primary applicant (subject to annual indexation).

Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485)

The 485 visa (Post-Vocational Education Work stream) is for international students aged up to 35 who have recently graduated in an occupation relevant to Australia’s workforce needs. It allows temporary work and study in Australia for up to 18 months (or 5 years for Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders).

Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491)

The 491 visa is for skilled workers nominated by a state or territory government or sponsored by an eligible relative, to live and work in regional Australia. Valid for 5 years, with a pathway to permanent residence (subclass 191) after 3 years if income and residence requirements are met.

Can Europeans work in Australia?

Yes. Under Australian workplace law, all workers — regardless of nationality — have the same workplace rights and protections. Foreigners, including Europeans, can work in Australia provided they hold the appropriate visa.

The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) investigates and guarantees compliance with local workplace law. Foreign workers can also protect themselves from exploitation by:

• Keeping records of all employment documents (an employer can check a worker’s passport but cannot retain it)
• Staying connected with their consular office for support
• Understanding their visa conditions — including the maximum number of work hours permitted and the minimum salary threshold

How to apply for a work visa in Australia

Step 1 — Assess your eligibility

Before anything else, identify which visa type fits your situation: employer-sponsored (Skills in Demand 482), points-tested independent (subclass 189), state-nominated (190 or 491), or short-stay (400, 408). Each has different requirements for age, occupation, English proficiency, and work experience.

Step 2 — Complete a skills assessment (if required)

For most skilled visas, you must obtain a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority (e.g., Engineers Australia, ANMAC for healthcare, ACS for IT). It is the applicant’s responsibility to contact the appropriate authority and follow their procedures, timeframes, and fees. A scanned certified copy of the skills assessment must be attached to the visa application.

Step 3 — Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) via SkillSelect (if required)

For most unsponsored skilled visas (subclass 189, 190, 491), you must first lodge an Expression of Interest via SkillSelect. If you score enough points and are deemed eligible, you will receive an invitation to apply.

Step 4 — Apply online via ImmiAccount

You can apply for most Australian visas online by creating an account on the ImmiAccount portal of the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs, then completing and submitting your application with all required documents.

Step 5 — Await the decision

The Department will process your application and contact you when a decision is made. Check processing time guides on the official visa page for your subclass, as times vary significantly. If a request for further evidence is issued, respond promptly to avoid delays.

When entering Australia, you will need to show your travel documents to border authorities — the visa is electronically attached to the passport used during the application.

Can I get an Australian work visa without a job offer?

This depends on the visa type. Sponsored visas (such as the Skills in Demand 482) require a job offer from an employer who will act as your sponsor. Unsponsored visas (such as subclasses 189, 190, 491) do not require a job offer and allow you to work for any employer — but require points-based eligibility assessed through SkillSelect.

Is it hard to get a work visa in Australia?

Getting an Australian work visa is achievable but can be complex. Common pitfalls include submitting incomplete applications, missing documents (all non-English documents must be translated into English), or failing to respond quickly to requests for further evidence. We strongly advise not booking non-refundable flights until the visa has been formally granted.

Australia work visa requirements

Requirements vary by visa subclass. Common elements across most skilled work visas include:

• Age — generally under 45 (with exceptions for some employer-sponsored categories)
• English language proficiency — minimum IELTS 5.0–6.5 overall depending on stream (requirements intensified from October 2025 for some subclasses)
• Skills assessment — required for most skilled and sponsored pathways
• Salary threshold — for the Skills in Demand 482 Core Skills stream: minimum AUD 76,515 per year (effective 1 July 2025); Specialist Skills stream: minimum AUD 141,210 per year
• Work experience — at least 1 year of relevant full-time experience within the last 5 years (Skills in Demand 482)
• Health and character checks — required for all visa types

Work visa Australia: cost

Visa application fees change periodically. A 5% increase was applied to most visa categories from 1 July 2025. Final fees depend on the visa subclass, stream, and number of applicants included.

Additional costs to budget for: skills assessment fees (~AUD 500–1,000), English language test (~AUD 350), health checks, and police certificates. For employer-sponsored visas, the employer pays the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy: AUD 1,200/year (businesses under AUD 10M turnover) or AUD 1,800/year (businesses above AUD 10M).

Pathway to permanent residency

Several Australian work visas offer a direct or indirect route to permanent residency:

• Skills in Demand 482 → Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) — after 2 years of full-time employment with an eligible sponsor, holders can apply for permanent residence via the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream.
• Skilled Nominated 190 — grants permanent residency from day one.
• Skilled Work Regional 491 → Subclass 191 — after 3 years of regional residence and meeting income requirements, holders can apply for permanent residence.
• Skilled Independent 189 — points-based permanent visa with no employer or state sponsor required (65 points minimum; competitive invitations typically require 85–95+ points in 2025).

For a detailed breakdown of the transition from a temporary to a permanent visa, see our article on transitioning from the Australian 400 visa to the 482 visa.

Frequently asked questions

What is the 482 visa in Australia?

The 482 visa is the Skills in Demand (SID) visa, Australia’s primary employer-sponsored temporary work visa launched on 7 December 2024. It replaced the old Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) 482 visa and operates through three streams: Core Skills, Specialist Skills, and Labour Agreement. It allows holders to live and work in Australia for up to 4 years with a pathway to permanent residency.

Can I get an Australian work visa without sponsorship?

Yes. Points-based visas such as the Skilled Independent (subclass 189), Skilled Nominated (190), and Skilled Work Regional (491) do not require employer sponsorship. You apply through the SkillSelect system by submitting an Expression of Interest and, if invited, lodge a visa application directly.

How long does it take to get a work visa for Australia?

Processing times vary significantly by visa type and application completeness. The Specialist Skills stream of the 482 visa targets 7 days. The Core Skills stream typically takes 2–5 months. Points-based visas (190, 491) may take 3–9 months depending on the state’s nomination timelines. Submitting a complete, accurate application significantly reduces processing time.

What is the difference between the 417 and 462 working holiday visa?

The 417 visa (Working Holiday) and 462 visa (Work and Holiday) are both 12-month holiday visas that allow short-term work to fund your stay. The key differences are the eligible countries (each visa covers a different list of nationalities) and the additional requirements: the 462 visa has educational and English language requirements, and some nationalities require a letter of support from their home government.

What is the minimum salary for the 482 Skills in Demand visa?

For the Core Skills stream, the minimum annual salary is AUD 76,515 (effective from 1 July 2025, indexed annually). For the Specialist Skills stream, the minimum is AUD 141,210. The offered salary must also meet or exceed the market rate for the occupation.

Do I need a job offer to apply for an Australian skilled visa?

It depends on the visa type. Employer-sponsored visas (Skills in Demand 482, ENS 186) require a job offer. Independent skilled visas (subclass 189) and state-nominated visas (190, 491) do not — but require points-based eligibility submitted via SkillSelect.

How Arletti Partners can help

Navigating the Australian work visa system requires precision: the wrong visa subclass, an incomplete skills assessment, or a missed deadline can cost months. Our team of immigration specialists supports individuals and companies at every stage — from eligibility assessment to document preparation, application submission, and post-approval guidance.

Explore our related services:

• Obtain the Australian 400 visa
• Obtain the Australian 482 visa
• Obtain the Australian 190 visa

Or book a consultation directly: Consultancy on the Australian 400 visa

Article updated May 2025. The information contained here in is of a general nature and does not constitute legal advice. For guidance specific to your situation, please contact our immigration specialists.