Working Visa in Australia
|Applying for a working visa in Australia can be quite intricate, hence it is crucial that you diligently peruse the guidelines and compile all the required paperwork prior to submitting your application.
The option of applying online or via mail is available to you. The length of time it takes to process a working visa in Australia fluctuates based on the specific type of visa being sought and the extent of ongoing visa applications at that point. For information regarding processing times for various visas, you may refer to the website of the Australian Department of Home Affairs.
Upon the approval of your visa application, you will be issued a letter of grant for your visa. This particular letter holds significant details regarding your visa, including its type, subclass, duration, and terms of stay. Remember to carry this visa grant letter with you at all times during your stay in Australia.
Types of Working Visas in Australia
- Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417) is a visa for young adults aged 18 to 30 years old who want to holiday and work in Australia for up to 12 months. This visa is reciprocal, which means that Australian citizens can also apply for a working holiday visa in many countries.
- Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (subclass 482) is a visa for skilled workers who are sponsored by an Australian employer. It allows you to work in Australia for up to 4 years. The visa can be renewed once for another 4 years, making it a total of 8 years you can stay in Australia.
- Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (subclass 186) is a visa for skilled workers who are nominated by an Australian employer. It allows you to live and work in Australia permanently.
- Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494) is a visa for skilled workers who are sponsored by an Australian employer in a regional area. It allows you to live and work in Australia temporarily, with the possibility of applying for permanent residency after 3 years.
- Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) is a visa for skilled workers who are not sponsored by an Australian employer. It allows you to live and work in Australia permanently.
- Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) is a visa for skilled workers who are nominated by an Australian state or territory government. It allows you to live and work in Australia permanently.
- Global Talent visa (subclass 858) is a visa for highly skilled individuals who have an outstanding talent or achievement in a particular field. It allows you to live and work in Australia permanently.
There are numerous working visas obtainable in Australia, and the specific one you qualify for is contingent upon your unique circumstances. The Australian Department of Home Affairs website provides ample information regarding these working visas.
Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa (subclass 482)
- The TSS visa is a temporary visa that allows skilled workers to live and work in Australia for up to 4 years. The visa can be renewed once for another 4 years, making it a total of 8 years you can stay in Australia.
- The TSS visa has two streams:
- Short-term stream: This stream is for skilled workers who are nominated by an Australian employer to fill a temporary position that cannot be filled by an Australian worker. The visa duration for this stream is up to 2 years, or up to 4 years if an International Trade Obligation (ITO) applies. Hong Kong passport holders may stay up to 5 years.
- Medium-term stream: This stream is for skilled workers who are nominated by an Australian employer to fill a permanent position that cannot be filled by an Australian worker. The visa duration for this stream is up to 4 years, with the possibility of applying for permanent residency after 3 years.
- To be eligible for a TSS visa, you must:
- Be nominated by an Australian employer who is registered with the Department of Home Affairs.
- Have the skills and experience required for the nominated position.
- Meet the English language requirements.
- Have a health insurance that meets the requirements of the Australian government.
- The application process for a TSS visa can be complex, so it is important to carefully read the instructions and gather all of the necessary documentation before you apply. You can apply for a TSS visa online or by mail.
- The processing time for a TSS visa varies depending on the type of visa you are applying for and the current visa application workload. You can check the processing times for different visas on the Australian Department of Home Affairs website.
After your visa application is accepted, you will be issued a letter granting the visa. This document holds valuable information regarding your visa, including its type, subclass, duration, and terms for staying in the country. It is essential to have this letter on hand during your presence in Australia at all times.
Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189)
The Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189) is an enduring visa that permits skilled individuals to settle and be employed in Australia on a permanent basis. No obligation for endorsement from a company or the Australian government of any province or territory exists.
To be eligible for a Skilled Independent visa, you must:
- Have skills and experience in an occupation that is on the Skilled Occupations List (SOL).
- Have a minimum of 65 points on the SkillSelect points test.
- Meet the English language requirements.
- Have a health insurance that meets the requirements of the Australian government.
The SkillSelect point system evaluates your abilities, background, education, and language fluency. Various factors contribute to the allocation of points, such as age, qualifications, work experience, English proficiency, and possessing high-demand skills in Australia.
To apply for a Skilled Independent visa successfully is an intricate process; therefore it’s essential to thoroughly comprehend the instructions and gather all required documents before proceeding. You can submit your application online or via mail.
The duration for processing a Skilled Independent visa differs based on the number of applications received and the current workload on visa processing. Typically taking around 9 months on average but may extend beyond that period.
After the approval of your visa application, you will be issued a letter granting you the visa. This document holds significant details regarding your visa, such as its type, subclass, duration, and conditions for staying in Australia. It is imperative that you carry this grant letter with you at all times during your stay in Australia.

Here are some of the benefits of holding a Skilled Independent visa:
- You can live and work in Australia permanently.
- You can sponsor your eligible family members for permanent residency.
- You can apply for Australian citizenship after 4 years of permanent residency.
- You have access to Australian healthcare, education, and other social services.
Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa (subclass 186)
The Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa (subclass 186) is a permanent visa that allows skilled workers to live and work in Australia permanently. To be eligible for an ENS visa, you must be nominated by an Australian employer who is registered with the Department of Home Affairs. Your employer must also be able to demonstrate that they are unable to find a suitable Australian worker to fill the position you are being nominated for.
The ENS visa has two streams:
- Direct Entry stream: This stream is for skilled workers who have at least three years of relevant work experience in an occupation that is on the Skilled Occupations List (SOL).
- Labour Agreement stream: This stream is for skilled workers who are nominated by an employer who is party to a labour agreement with the Australian government.
To be eligible for the Direct Entry stream, you must also meet the following requirements:
- Have a minimum of Competent English language proficiency.
- Be under 50 years old at the time of nomination.
- Have a health insurance that meets the requirements of the Australian government.
To be eligible for the Labour Agreement stream, you must also meet the requirements of the specific labour agreement that your employer is party to.
The process of applying for an ENS visa can be intricate, thus it is vital to meticulously read the instructions and obtain all the necessary documentation prior to initiating your application. You have the option to submit your ENS visa application online or through postal mail.
The duration for processing an ENS visa varies based on the type of visa being applied for and the current workload of applications. On average, it takes about 6 months to complete the processing; however, there may be instances where it might take longer than that.
Once your ENS visa application has been granted approval, you will receive a letter granting you the visa. This letter encompasses significant details regarding your specific kind of visa, subclass classification, duration of stay allowed under such visa, as well as any conditions attached thereto. It is crucial that you carry this letter with you at all times while staying in Australia.
Here are some of the benefits of holding an ENS visa:
- You can live and work in Australia permanently.
- You can sponsor your eligible family members for permanent residency.
- You can apply for Australian citizenship after 4 years of permanent residency.
- You have access to Australian healthcare, education, and other social services.
Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) Visa (subclass 187)
The visa known as Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) allows skilled individuals to enjoy permanent residence and employment in regional Australia. In order to qualify for an RSMS visa, applicants must be nominated by an Australian employer based in a designated regional area. Moreover, the employer is required to prove that they have made genuine efforts but failed to find a suitable local candidate for the job opening.
The RSMS visa has two streams:
- Direct entry stream: This stream is for skilled workers who have at least three years of relevant work experience in an occupation that is on the Skilled Occupations List (SOL).
- Temporary residence transition stream: This stream is for skilled workers who are currently holding a Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa (subclass 482) and have been working for their nominating employer in a regional area of Australia for at least two years.
To be eligible for the Direct Entry stream, you must also meet the following requirements:
- Have a minimum of Competent English language proficiency.
- Be under 50 years old at the time of nomination.
- Have a health insurance that meets the requirements of the Australian government.
To be eligible for the Temporary Residence Transition stream, you must also meet the following requirements:
- Have a minimum of Competent English language proficiency.
- Be under 50 years old at the time of nomination.
- Have a health insurance that meets the requirements of the Australian government.
- Have worked for your nominating employer in a regional area of Australia for at least two years on a TSS visa (subclass 482).
The application process for an RSMS visa can be complex, so it is important to carefully read the instructions and gather all of the necessary documentation before you apply. You can apply for an RSMS visa online or by mail.
The processing time for an RSMS visa varies depending on the type of visa you are applying for and the current visa application workload. The average processing time is 6 months, but it can take longer.
Once your visa application has been approved, you will receive a visa grant letter. This letter will contain important information about your visa, such as your visa type, visa subclass, visa duration, and conditions of stay. You must keep your visa grant letter with you at all times when you are in Australia.
Here are some of the benefits of holding an RSMS visa:
- You can live and work in regional Australia permanently.
- You can sponsor your eligible family members for permanent residency.
- You can apply for Australian citizenship after 4 years of permanent residency.
- You have access to Australian healthcare, education, and other social services.
Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417)
To be eligible for a Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417), you must:
- Be a citizen of an eligible country.
- Be aged 18 to 30 years old (35 years old for some countries).
- Have a valid passport.
- Have a health insurance that meets the requirements of the Australian government.
- Have sufficient funds to support yourself while in Australia.
- Not have any criminal convictions.
Once you have been granted a Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417), you can work in any job in Australia, for any employer, for any length of time. You can also study in Australia for up to 4 months without having to obtain a student visa.
The Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417) provides an excellent opportunity to immerse oneself in Australian culture, forge new connections with people, and explore the vastness of the country. Moreover, it serves as a valuable avenue for gaining practical work experience in Australia – an aspect that can substantially facilitate the process of permanently relocating to the country.
Here are some of the countries that are eligible for the Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417):
- Europe: Austria, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom.
Requirements and Eligibility for Working Visa in Australia
The requirements and eligibility for working visas in Australia vary depending on the type of visa you are applying for. However, some general requirements include:
- You must be a citizen of a country that is eligible for the visa you are applying for.
- You must be of a certain age (most working visas require you to be at least 18 years old).
- You must have a valid passport.
- You must have a health insurance that meets the requirements of the Australian government.
- You must have sufficient funds to support yourself while in Australia.
- You must not have any criminal convictions.
- You must meet the English language requirements for the visa you are applying for.
In addition to these general requirements, you may also need to meet specific requirements for the occupation you want to work in. For example, if you are applying for a visa to work in a skilled occupation, you will need to have the relevant skills and qualifications.
You can find more information about the requirements and eligibility for working visas in Australia on the Australian Department of Home Affairs website.
Here are some of the most common working visas in Australia:
- Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417): This visa allows young adults aged 18 to 30 years old from eligible countries to travel and work in Australia for up to 12 months.
- Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (subclass 482): This visa allows skilled workers to work in Australia for up to 4 years. The visa can be renewed once for another 4 years, making it a total of 8 years you can stay in Australia.
- Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (subclass 186): This visa allows skilled workers to live and work in Australia permanently. You must be nominated by an Australian employer who is registered with the Department of Home Affairs.
- Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme Visa (subclass 187): This visa allows skilled workers to live and work in regional Australia permanently. You must be nominated by an Australian employer who is located in a regional area of Australia.
- SkillSelect visa: This visa allows skilled workers to live and work in Australia permanently. You must score enough points in the SkillSelect points test to be eligible for this visa.
Sponsorship and Employer Nomination Process
Sponsorship and employer nomination are two processes that allow Australian employers to bring skilled workers from overseas to work in Australia.
- Sponsorship: An Australian employer can sponsor a skilled worker to come to Australia to work for them. The employer must be registered with the Department of Home Affairs and they must be able to demonstrate that they are unable to find a suitable Australian worker to fill the position.
- Employer nomination: An Australian employer can nominate a skilled worker for a visa. The nomination is a formal acknowledgement from the employer that they are willing to employ the worker and that they meet the requirements of the visa.
The specific requirements for sponsorship and employer nomination vary depending on the visa you are applying for. However, some general requirements include:
- The occupation you want to work in must be on the Skilled Occupations List (SOL).
- You must have the relevant skills and qualifications for the occupation you want to work in.
- You must meet the English language requirements for the visa you are applying for.
- You must be under a certain age (most visas have an upper age limit).
- You must not have any criminal convictions.
- You must have a health insurance that meets the requirements of the Australian government.
In addition to these general requirements, you may also need to meet specific requirements for the visa you are applying for. For example, if you are applying for a visa to work in a regional area of Australia, you may need to have a job offer from an employer in a regional area.
If you are interested in applying for a visa that requires sponsorship or employer nomination, you should contact the Australian employer who is willing to sponsor or nominate you. They will be able to help you with the application process and they will be able to provide you with the necessary documentation.
Application Process and Required Documents for Working Visa in Australia
The application process and required documents for working visas in Australia vary depending on the type of visa you are applying for. However, some general steps and documents include:
- Check the eligibility requirements: The first step is to check the eligibility requirements for the visa you are applying for. You can find this information on the Australian Department of Home Affairs website.
- Gather the required documents: Once you have checked the eligibility requirements, you need to gather the required documents. The specific documents you need will vary depending on the visa you are applying for. However, some common documents include:
- A valid passport
- A visa application form
- A police clearance certificate
- A health insurance certificate
- A letter of offer from an Australian employer (if applicable)
- Proof of skills and qualifications (if applicable)
- Proof of English language proficiency (if applicable)
- Pay the application fee: You will need to pay an application fee when you apply for a working visa in Australia. The amount of the fee varies depending on the visa you are applying for.
- Submit your application: You can submit your application online or by mail. If you are submitting your application online, you will need to create an account on the Australian Department of Home Affairs website.
- Track your application status: Once you have submitted your application, you can track its status online. You can also contact the Australian Department of Home Affairs if you have any questions about your application.
The duration it takes to process working visas in Australia can differ depending on the specific visa you are seeking. Nevertheless, it may take numerous months to acquire a verdict on your application.
In the event that your application prospers, you will be furnished with a letter granting your visa. This document will encompass significant details regarding your visa, including its type, subclass designation, duration of validity, and stipulations for staying in Australia. It is mandatory to have this grant letter readily accessible
The duration it takes to process working visas in Australia can differ depending on the specific visa you are seeking. Nevertheless, it may take numerous months to acquire a verdict on your application.
In the event that your application prospers, you will be furnished with a letter granting your visa. This document will encompass significant details regarding your visa, including its type, subclass designation, duration of validity, and stipulations for staying in Australia. It is mandatory to have this grant letter readily accessible at all times during your stay within the country.