• Australian Visa Comparison Charts

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Australian Visa Comparison Charts

This information is to be used for comparison only and does not represent an exhaustive list of visas or their requirements.

Employer sponsored categories comparison chart

Visa
type		 Visa
duration		 SkillSelect expression of interest (EOI) required Sponsorship
required		 Required
to work
in
regional
Australia		 Points
tested
visa		 Skill/qualification
requirements		 Other eligibility
requirements
Temporary Skills Shortage- TSS visa (subclass 482) From one day up to four years Not required Yes, by an employer No, unless you occupation is on the Regional TSS occupation list No Occupation must be on the TSS Occupations List (Medium, Short, Regional)  and applicant must have the skills necessary to perform the occupation. Applicant must also have the necessary English language skills unless exempted After a period of employment of 3 years in the same position an employer may be able to sponsor a subclass 482 visa holder through the Temporary Residence Transition stream under ENS or RSMS (see below)
Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa (subclass 186) Permanent Not required Yes, by an employer No No Require a skills assessment by the relevant Australian authority and three years’ work experience, unless exempt Relevant registration or licensing must be held if required Occupation must be on the Consolidated Sponsored Occupation List. Employee is to be paid at least the same as an Australian in the same occupation in the same location

Must be:

  • Under 45, unless exempt
  • Have at least competent
  • English (IELTS 6 or equivalent), unless exempt
Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) visa (subclass 187)
Direct Entry stream		 Permanent Not required Yes, by a regional employer Yes No Must have a related Australian or overseas equivalent qualification or be exempt Overseas qualified trades workers will need to have their skills assessed by Trades Recognition Australia
Relevant registration or licensing must be held if required		 Occupation must be an ANZSCO skill level 1-3. Employee is to be paid at least the same as an Australian in the same occupation in the same location

Must be:

  • Under 45, unless exempt
  • Have at least competent
  • English (IELTS 6 or equivalent), unless exempt

Points tested skilled migration comparison chart

Visa
type		 Visa
duration		 SkillSelect
expression
of interest
(EOI) required		 Sponsorship
required		 Required
to work in
regional
Australia		 Points
tested
visa		 Skill/qualification
requirements		 Other eligibility
requirements
Skilled – Independent visa (subclass 189) Permanent SkillSelect EOI is mandatory No No Yes Nominated occupation must be on the applicable Skilled Occupation List (SOL) and skills assessed by relevant assessing authority Must be:

  • Invited to apply
  • Under 45
  • Have at least competent English
Skilled – Nominated visa (subclass 190) Permanent SkillSelect EOI is mandatory Yes, applicant must be nominated by a state/territory government No Yes Nominated occupation must be on the applicable 190 Occupation List and skills assessed by relevant assessing authority Must be:

  • Invited to apply
  • Under 45
  • Have at least competent English
Skilled – Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489)
Sponsored		 Up to four years SkillSelect EOI is mandatory unless renewing a provisional visa Yes, applicant must be sponsored by an eligible relative Yes Yes Nominated occupation must be on the applicable Skilled Occupation List (SOL) and skills assessed by relevant assessing authority Must be:

  • Invited to apply
  • Under 45
  • Have at least competent English
Skilled – Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489)
State or territory nominated		 Up to four years SkillSelect EOI is mandatory unless renewing a provisional visa Yes, applicant must be nominated by a state/territory government Yes Yes Nominated occupation must be on the applicable Skilled Occupation List and skills assessed by relevant assessing authority Must be:

  • Invited to apply
  • Under 45
  • Have at least competent English

Book an appointment today for a detailed visa options assessment with our Registered Migration Agents in Melbourne to find more about your visa options.

Select a state below to see it’s requirements:

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Australia

State and territory requirements

Each state and territory has its own list of occupations, requirements and processes you must follow.

More information about the requirements and processes on how Australian states or territories nominate applicants is available.