Australian visa comparison for 2026
Information current as at October 2026. Government charges are those in force from 1 July 2026.
Choosing the right visa is the most important decision in your migration plan. The tables below compare the main Australian visas side by side: who each visa suits, whether it is temporary or permanent, whether you need a sponsor or nomination, the age limit, the English level, whether you need a skills assessment, which occupation list applies, how long you can stay, whether it leads to permanent residence (PR) and the base government charge for the main applicant.
The visa system has changed a lot in the last two years. The Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa replaced the TSS visa on 7 December 2024, the National Innovation visa (subclass 858) replaced the Global Talent visa in December 2024, the 485 Temporary Graduate visa now has the Post-Higher Education Work and Post-Vocational Education Work streams, and the 188 and 132 business visas closed to new applicants on 31 July 2024. New English test score tables apply to tests taken on or after 7 August 2025. This page reflects those changes.
Use the tabs to compare visas in the same family, then follow the links to our detailed visa pages. If two or more visas could work for you, book a consultation and we will map out the fastest and safest pathway.
Which visa suits you?
- You have an employer who wants to sponsor you: start with the Skills in Demand 482 visa. If your employer will offer a permanent role and you already have the experience and a skills assessment, the 186 Direct Entry stream may let you skip the temporary step.
- Your employer is in regional Australia: compare the 482 with the 494 visa, which leads to PR through the 191 visa.
- You have no sponsor but a strong points score: lodge an expression of interest for the 189, and at the same time look at state nomination for the 190 or 491.
- You are a recent Australian graduate: the 485 visa gives you time to build work experience and points. Plan your next visa early, because the 485 cannot be extended except for a second 485 for eligible regional graduates.
- You have an outstanding international record in your field: the National Innovation visa is permanent and has no occupation list or points test.
- Your partner is Australian: a partner visa has no English, skills or age test, but you need strong evidence of a genuine and continuing relationship.
- You want to visit first: a visitor visa does not allow work and may carry a no further stay condition, so do not rely on it to change visas in Australia.
Pathways from temporary to permanent residence
| Temporary visa | Permanent visa | Main requirement |
| 482 Skills in Demand (Specialist or Core Skills) | 186 Temporary Residence Transition | 2 years of full-time sponsored work in the last 3 years, under 45 (unless exempt), Competent English |
| 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional | 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) | 3 years living and working in a designated regional area and meeting the taxable income requirement |
| 491 Skilled Work Regional | 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) | 3 years living and working in a designated regional area and meeting the taxable income requirement |
| 820 or 309 Partner (temporary) | 801 or 100 Partner (permanent) | The relationship continues, generally assessed about 2 years after you applied |
| 485 Temporary Graduate or 500 Student | 189, 190, 491 or employer sponsored visas | No direct pathway: you need to qualify for a skilled or employer sponsored visa in your own right |
Processing priorities for skilled visas are set by Ministerial Direction 121 (482) and Ministerial Direction 122 (186, 189, 190, 491, 494 and other skilled visas), which apply from 19 September 2026 and replace Direction 119. These directions decide which applications are processed first, so your occupation and your employer’s location can affect how long you wait. See our processing times page for current timeframes.
Closed and replaced visas
Many older comparison charts still list visas that are no longer open to new applicants. Here is where they stand in October 2026.
| Visa | Status | Current alternative |
| 188 Business Innovation and Investment (provisional) | Closed to new applicants since 31 July 2024. Existing holders can still apply for some extensions | National Innovation visa (858), or employer and skilled visas |
| 888 Business Innovation and Investment (permanent) | Not open to new applicants. Only current or former 188 holders who meet the criteria can apply | Not applicable |
| 132 Business Talent | Closed to new applicants since 31 July 2024 | National Innovation visa (858) |
| 482 Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) | Replaced by the Skills in Demand 482 visa on 7 December 2024. Existing TSS holders keep their visa conditions | Skills in Demand 482 |
| 858 Global Talent | Replaced by the National Innovation visa in December 2024 | National Innovation visa (858) |
| 489 Skilled Regional (provisional) | Closed to new applicants since 16 November 2019 | 491 Skilled Work Regional |
| 187 Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme | Closed to new applicants since 16 November 2019, except limited transitional applicants | 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional and 186 |
| 457 Temporary Work (Skilled) | Closed since 18 March 2018 | Skills in Demand 482 |
If you are a business owner or investor who was planning a 188 visa, see our National Innovation visa page or speak to us about other options.
Frequently asked questions
Which Australian visa is the fastest way to permanent residence?
It depends on your situation. A 189 or 190 visa gives you PR straight away if you are invited, and a 186 Direct Entry visa does the same if an employer nominates you and you meet the skills and experience requirements. Many people instead take a two-step route, such as a 482 visa followed by a 186 after 2 years, or a 491 or 494 followed by a 191 after 3 years.
Is there an age limit for Australian work visas?
The 482 Skills in Demand visa has no age limit. The 186 and 494 visas generally require you to be under 45 when you apply, and the 189, 190 and 491 visas require you to be under 45 when invited. The 485 visa is generally limited to people aged 35 or under. Some exemptions apply, so check your situation with us before you rule a visa out.
What English score do I need?
The 482 visa needs Vocational English (for example IELTS 5 in each band), the 186, 189, 190, 491 and 494 visas need Competent English (IELTS 6 in each band), and the 485 visa needs IELTS 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each band. Other tests such as PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, OET, CELPIP and Michigan English Test have their own equivalent scores, which changed for tests taken on or after 7 August 2025. See our English requirements for Australian visas page.
Can I still apply for a 188 business visa?
No. The Business Innovation and Investment program (188) and the Business Talent visa (132) closed to new applicants on 31 July 2024. Existing 188 holders can still move to the 888 permanent visa if they meet the requirements. New business owners and investors may consider the National Innovation visa or an employer or skilled visa.
Do I need a job offer to migrate to Australia?
Not always. The 189, 190 and 491 skilled visas, the National Innovation visa, partner visas and student visas do not need a job offer. The 482, 494 and 186 visas all need an employer sponsor.
Can my family come with me?
Most skilled, employer sponsored and graduate visas let you include your partner and dependent children in the application. Each family member pays an additional government charge, and some visas charge a second instalment for adult family members who do not have functional English. Your family members generally get the same work and study rights as you.
Which visa is cheapest?
On government charges alone, the visitor visa is the cheapest and the partner visa is the most expensive of the visas compared on this page. The real cost also includes skills assessments, English tests, health checks, police checks and, for employer sponsored visas, the employer’s nomination fees and Skilling Australians Fund levy. A cheaper visa that does not lead to PR can cost more in the long run, so compare the full pathway.
How long does it take to get each visa?
Processing times change often and depend on the processing priority given to your visa, occupation and location under the current Ministerial Directions (121 and 122 from 19 September 2026). Check our processing times page for the latest figures.
Book an appointment today for a detailed visa options assessment with our Registered Migration Agents in Melbourne to find more about your visa options.
