5 routes into Australia.
Permanent residence
Australia
Run by Department of Home Affairs
Skilled workers under 45 with an occupation on the skilled list and a positive skills assessment, who are invited after scoring at least 65 points. No sponsor is needed.
- Job offer
- Not required. You must be invited to apply.
- Language
- At least competent English at the time of invitation.
- Education
- A suitable skills assessment for your occupation. No fixed degree level is stated; qualifications count toward points.
- Work experience
- Not a fixed requirement on the page. Work experience can count toward points.
- Government fee
- AUD 6,135 for the main applicant. AUD 3,070 for each additional applicant aged 18 or over. AUD 1,540 for each additional applicant under 18. A partner over 18 without functional English pays a second instalment.
- Processing time
- The page says applications lodged in or before June 2026 are being processed for priority sectors and applicants in Australia. Check the processing time guide tool.
- Money you must show
- Not stated on the official page
- When and to whom you pay
- Paid online through ImmiAccount when you lodge the application. The charge is not refunded if the application is refused. You have 60 days from the invitation to apply.
Read the official page
Checked on 18 October 2026. What the page says
Read on immi.homeaffairs.gov.au on 2026-10-18: "This visa lets invited workers with skills we need, to live and work permanently anywhere in Australia."; "You must be aged under 45 when we invite you to apply"; "Be able to score 65 points or more"; fee page: "AUD6,135.00". Another official page.
Permanent residence
Australia
Run by Department of Home Affairs
Skilled workers under 45 nominated by an Australian state or territory government, with an occupation on the list, a skills assessment and at least 65 points.
- Job offer
- Not required. You must be nominated by a state or territory government agency and invited.
- Language
- At least competent English at the time of invitation.
- Education
- A suitable skills assessment for your occupation. No fixed degree level is stated.
- Work experience
- Not a fixed requirement on the page. Work experience can count toward points.
- Government fee
- AUD 6,140 for the main applicant. AUD 3,070 for each additional applicant aged 18 or over. AUD 1,535 for each additional applicant under 18.
- Processing time
- The page says applications lodged in or before March 2026 are being processed for priority sectors, and January 2026 for applicants in Australia.
- Money you must show
- Not stated on the official page
- When and to whom you pay
- Paid online through ImmiAccount when you lodge the application. You have 60 days from the invitation to apply.
Read the official page
Checked on 18 October 2026. What the page says
Read on immi.homeaffairs.gov.au on 2026-10-18: "You must have been nominated for this visa by an Australian state or territory government agency."; fee page: "AUD6,140.00". Another official page.
Work visa
Australia
Run by Department of Home Affairs
Skilled workers under 45 willing to live and work in a designated regional area for 5 years, nominated by a state or territory or sponsored by an eligible relative. It can lead to permanent residence after 3 years.
- Job offer
- Not required. You need a state or territory nomination or sponsorship by an eligible relative, and an invitation.
- Language
- At least competent English at the time of invitation.
- Education
- A suitable skills assessment for your occupation. No fixed degree level is stated.
- Work experience
- Not a fixed requirement on the page. Work experience can count toward points.
- Government fee
- AUD 6,140 for the main applicant. AUD 3,070 for each additional applicant aged 18 or over. AUD 1,535 for each additional applicant under 18.
- Processing time
- The page says applications lodged in or before March 2025 are being processed.
- Money you must show
- Not stated on the official page
- When and to whom you pay
- Paid online through ImmiAccount when you lodge the application.
Read the official page
Checked on 18 October 2026. What the page says
Read on immi.homeaffairs.gov.au on 2026-10-18: "be nominated to apply by a state or territory government agency, or an eligible relative must sponsor you"; "At the time of invitation, you must have at least Competent English."; fee page: "AUD6,140.00". Another official page. Another official page.
Work visa
Australia
Run by Department of Home Affairs
Workers with at least 1 year of experience who are nominated by an approved Australian employer for an occupation on the Core Skills Occupation List. Stay up to 4 years.
- Job offer
- Required. You must be nominated for a skilled position by an approved sponsor, and work only for that sponsor.
- Language
- You must meet minimum standards of English unless exempt. The level is not stated on the page read.
- Education
- A skills assessment if your occupation requires one. No fixed degree level is stated.
- Work experience
- At least 1 year of relevant work experience in your nominated occupation or a related field.
- Government fee
- AUD 4,015 for the main applicant. AUD 4,015 for each additional applicant aged 18 or over. AUD 1,005 for each additional applicant under 18. Subsequent temporary application charge AUD 700 if it applies.
- Processing time
- The landing page says applications lodged in February 2026 are being processed for priority sectors, July 2026 for the Specialist Skills stream, and January 2026 for applicants in Australia.
- Money you must show
- The salary must be at least the market rate and not less than the Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT). The amount is not stated on the page read.
- When and to whom you pay
- Paid online through ImmiAccount when you lodge the application.
Read the official page
Checked on 18 October 2026. What the page says
Read on immi.homeaffairs.gov.au on 2026-10-18: "be nominated to work in an occupation on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL)"; "have at least 1 year relevant work experience in your nominated occupation or a related field"; fee page: "AUD4,015.00". Another official page. Another official page.
Study, then work
Australia
Run by Department of Home Affairs
Students enrolled in a registered course in Australia who can show funds for living, course and travel costs. Under rules from 2 October 2026 most students cannot bring family members unless exempt.
- Job offer
- Not required.
- Language
- English evidence depends on your main course. The level is not stated on the page read. At home tests are not accepted.
- Education
- A valid Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) in a registered course. You must be aged 6 or older.
- Work experience
- Not required.
- Government fee
- AUD 2,500 for the main applicant (AUD 2,050 for ELICOS and Non Award courses). AUD 1,530 for each additional applicant aged 18 or over. AUD 500 for each additional applicant under 18.
- Processing time
- Not stated on the official page
- Money you must show
- Living costs of AUD 29,710 a year for the student (AUD 10,394 for a partner, AUD 4,449 for a child), plus first year course fees, plus travel: AUD 2,500 if applying from East or Southern Africa, AUD 3,000 if applying from West Africa. Or show parents' or partner's income of at least AUD 87,856 (AUD 102,500 with family).
- When and to whom you pay
- Paid online through ImmiAccount when you lodge the application.
Read the official page
Checked on 18 October 2026. What the page says
Read on immi.homeaffairs.gov.au on 2026-10-18: "hold a valid Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)"; "students - AUD29,710"; "AUD2,500 for travel costs if you are applying from East or Southern Africa AUD3,000 for travel costs if you are applying from West Africa"; fee page: "AUD2,500.00". Another official page.