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 Any guide that still refers only to the “TSS 482” is out of date.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 2026.
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 79,423 from 1 July 2026. Requires at least 12 months of relevant work experience within the last 5 years.
- Specialist Skills stream — for highly paid senior or expert professionals, with a minimum annual salary of AUD 146,576 from 1 July 2026.
- 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, successful candidates often score well above the minimum).
The base application charge is AUD 6,140Â 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 —the required level depends on the visa and stream and is assessed through an approved English test; the requirements were tightened for some subclasses in 2025
- Skills assessment — required for most skilled and sponsored pathways
- Salary threshold —for the Skills in Demand 482 Core Skills stream: AUD 79,423 per year; Specialist Skills stream: AUD 146,576 per year (thresholds effective from 1 July 2026).
- 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 are updated every year on 1 July. The fees below apply from 1 July 2026. Final fees depend on the visa subclass, stream, and number of applicants included.
| Visa | Primary applicant (approx.) | Notes |
| Skills in Demand 482 — all streams | AUD 4,015 | SAF levy paid by employer |
| Skilled Nominated 190 | AUD 6,140 | Permanent residency |
| Working Holiday 417 / 462 | AUD 840 | First application |
| Short Stay Specialist 400 | AUD 535 | up to 6 months |
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 —(65 points minimum, invitations are competitive and the points required in practice are normally higher than the minimum)
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 by visa subclass, stream, application volume, completeness of the application and current processing priorities. They are indicative only and are not guaranteed.Â
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?
From 1 July 2026, the minimum annual salary threshold is AUD 79,423 for the Core Skills stream and AUD 146,576 for the Specialist Skills stream. The offered salary must also meet the applicable market salary requirements.
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:
Or book a consultation directly: Consultancy on the Australian 400 visa
Article updated July 2026. 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.