As a member of the Commonwealth, Australia provides various visa options for skilled workers. Certain visas may even offer you and your family the opportunity to settle there on a permanent or temporary basis.
Employment Permits and Visas
Australia grants work permits and visas to diverse skilled workers seeking employment opportunities in the country. Below are some of the work visas available for skilled professionals.
The Various Categories of Australian Work Visas:
- The Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa enables skilled individuals nominated by their employers to establish permanent residency and pursue employment opportunities in Australia.
- Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) visas enable employers in regional Australia to sponsor eligible workers for permanent residency.
- The Skilled Independent visa is offered to invited workers and skilled New Zealanders who wish to permanently reside and work anywhere in Australia.
- The Skilled Nominated visa provides nominated skilled professionals with the opportunity to obtain permanent residency in Australia.
- The Temporary Skill Shortage visa enables employers to sponsor skilled workers when suitable Australian candidates are not available.
- The Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa is designed for skilled individuals seeking to reside and work in regional areas of Australia.
- The Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa permits individuals to engage in short-term, highly specialized work within Australia.
- The Temporary Work (International Relations) visa facilitates temporary employment opportunities aimed at fostering Australia’s international relations.
- The Distinguished Talent visa (subclass 858 for Australian applicants or 124 for international applicants) offers permanent residency to individuals with a globally acknowledged record of exceptional achievements in professions, sports, arts, or academics and research.
A visa for work can be acquired for the subsequent occupations:
- qualified individuals
- Individuals Taking Part In Certain Events
- experts in their fields
- Temp workers in training
- Competent business professionals
- investors
Needs for an Australian Work Visa
The things you need to do depend on your situation and the type of visa you want.
Here are the different rules for each category:
Visa Under the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) (Direct Entry Stream)
The ENS Visa requires the following:
- qualify for the position since they possess the relevant abilities (skills assessment will be required, with some exemptions).
- be included on the appropriate list of qualified vocations.
- have an Australian employer put you forward.
- comply with character and health checks (information on Australia’s medical test is provided below).
- have a command of the English language at the Proficient level.
- possess a minimum of three years’ professional experience in the field.
- to be younger than 45 (with some exemptions).
- read or have been explained the Life in Australia booklet, and sign the Australian Values Statement.
Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) Visa (Direct Entry Stream)
To apply for an RSMS Visa, you must meet the following requirements:
- be nominated by a regional Australian employer.
- under 45 age.
- be a skilled occupation.
- proficient in English.
- have three years of related job experience.
- have job-related skills (skills assessment will be required, with some exemptions).
- accept a two-year contract with your nominating employer in regional Australia.
- meet health and moral standards.
- read and sign the Australian Values Statement.
Technically Independent Skilled Worker Visa
To those being invited to work:
- be nominated by an Australian state or territory government agency and encouraged to submit an expression of interest (EOI).
- under 45 age.
- be a skilled occupation.
- have job-related skills (skills assessment will be required, with some exemptions).
- pass Australia’s immigration point system with 65 points or more.
- proficient in English.
- meet health and moral standards.
- read and sign the Australian Values Statement.
Costs of an Australia Work Visa
It will cost you 4,045 AUD (2,955 USD) for any of the aforementioned work visas with the following exceptions:
- Prices for Temporary Skill Shortage Visas range from $1.265 AUD ($925 USD) for the Short-Term Stream to $2.645 AUD ($1,925 USD) for the Medium-Term Stream.
- Fee for a Regional (Provisional) Skilled Visa (Extended Stay Pathway) is $360 AUD (265 USD)
- The standard processing fee for a temporary work visa is 310 Australian dollars (about 225 US dollars).
- The cost of a Distinguished Talent Visa in Australia is $4,110. (3,000 USD)
Application form for a work visa in Australia
Most visas can be applied for through the ImmiAccount service on the Department of Home Affairs website of the Australian government.
If you need a formal invitation to apply for your visa, you can use SkillSelect to send an expression of interest.