Live & work
Skilled migration & employer-sponsored pathways
Build your future in Australia with the right strategy from the start. Whether you are a professional, trades person, engineer or seeking a work visa with an employer, there is a pathway for you.
Why move to Australia?
Australia remains one of the world’s most attractive destinations for skilled professionals, tradespeople, and high-performing individuals seeking long-term career opportunities, lifestyle benefits, and a clear pathway to residency. For many applicants, Australia offers a stronger overall balance of skilled migration opportunity, employer sponsorship potential, lifestyle, and long-term settlement prospects than comparable destinations such as Canada or New Zealand.
Depending on your background, you may be able to move to Australia through skilled migration, employer-sponsored visas, regional pathways, or specialised streams for training, temporary professional activity, or internationally recognised talent. The right option depends on factors such as your qualifications, occupation, work experience, English ability, employer support, and long-term permanent residency goals. Understanding how these pathways connect is the first step in building a realistic and well-structured migration strategy.
What pathways are available for skilled migrants?
Points-tested skilled migration allows qualified professionals, both those inside or outside Australia, to obtain permanent residency without employer sponsorship.
Skilled migration (Subclass 189 & 190)
Points-tested skilled migration allows qualified professionals, both those inside or outside Australia, to obtain permanent residency without employer sponsorship.
Subclass 189- Skilled independent
Permanent residency granted based on points and occupation eligibility.
Subclass 190- Skilled nominated
Permanent residency granted through nomination by an Australian state or territory government.
Key considerations
- Occupation eligibility and skills assessments
- Points competitiveness in invitation rounds
- State nomination opportunities
- Demand for the occupation in Australia
Meeting the minimum points threshold does not guarantee an invitation. Strategic planning is often required.
Regional skilled migration
Regional migration programs are designed to encourage skilled professionals to live and work in designated regional areas of Australia.
These pathways can offer additional migration opportunities for applicants who may not receive invitations through general skilled migration programs.
Subclass 491- Skilled work regional
(Provisional)
Subclass 191- Permanent Residence
(Skilled Regional)
Key considerations
- Regional residence and employment requirements
- State nomination pathways
- Transition from provisional visa to permanent residency
Regional migration can be a highly effective pathway when aligned with long-term career planning.
Employer-sponsored migration
Employer sponsorship allows Australian businesses to hire overseas professionals when suitable local candidates are unavailable.
These visas require both the <strong>employer and the employee</strong> to meet regulatory requirements.
Subclass 482- Temporary Skill Shortage
Subclass 186- Employer Nomination Scheme
Subclass 494- Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional
Key considerations
- Employer sponsorship approval
- Nomination requirements and salary thresholds
- Occupation eligibility
- Potential pathways to permanent residency
Many professionals first enter Australia on temporary employer-sponsored visas before transitioning to permanent residency.
Training visas
In addition to the primary migration pathways, Australia also offers visas designed for training, or professional development. The Subclass 407 Training Visa allows individuals to undertake structured workplace-based training in Australia.
Subclass 407- Training visa
Key considerations
- Employers wish to train overseas employees
- Professionals require occupational training
- Organisations facilitate skills transfer or professional development
Training must be structured and directly related to the applicant’s occupation or field.
Temporary activity visas
In addition to the primary migration pathways, Australia also offers visas designed for short-term professional activity.
Subclass 408- Temporary Activity Visa
Key considerations
- Professional exchange programs
- Research projects
- Cultural or social programs
- Specialised short-term work
Because the visa covers multiple activity streams, eligibility requirements depend on the specific program or activity involved.
National innovation visa
The Subclass 858 National Innovation Visa is designed for individuals with internationally recognised achievements in their field.
Subclass 858- National innovation visa
Key considerations
- Technology and innovation
- Research and academia
- Entrepreneurship
- Arts and creative industries
- Sports
Applications typically require strong evidence of achievement and endorsement.
Will you qualify for skilled migration to Australia?
For points-tested visas such as the Subclass 189, 190, or 491 applicants must meet minimum points thresholds to be considered for invitation.
Our points calculator provides a general estimate based on the factors used in Australia’s skilled migration system.
Points Calculator (estimate only)
Note:
This calculator provides a general estimated score only. Eligibility depends on occupation, skills assessment, visa subclass, nomination, invitation rounds, and current migration rules.
What is the skilled occupation list?
Most skilled migration pathways require that the applicant’s occupation appears on an approved Skilled Occupation List.
Why occupation list matter
Occupation eligibility can influence:
Which visa pathways are available- Whether employer sponsorship is possible
- Eligibility for state nomination
- Long-term permanent residency opportunities
Each occupation is also linked to a skills assessing authority, which determines whether an applicant’s qualifications and work experience meet Australian professional standards.
How are my existing skills assessed?
Many skilled visas require a formal skills assessment before you can apply. This process confirms that your qualifications and work experience meet Australian standards for your occupation.
Streamlined recognition for qualification obtained from nations with highly compatible education structures.
What is a state nomination and how does it help me?
For visas such as the Subclass 190 and Subclass 491, Australian states and territories maintain their own state nomination occupation lists and eligibility requirements. Securing a state nomination can improve your chances of being invited for a visa application significantly.
This means:
- An occupation may be eligible in one state but not another
- Some states prioritise applicants already working locally
- Certain occupations may have additional experience requirements
- Nomination requirements may change during the migration program year
State nomination strategy can therefore be just as important as points score when planning skilled migration. Detailed occupation and nomination information can be found in our Resources section..
Navigating skilled migration
Points scores, occupation lists, skills assessments, state nomination requirements, and employer sponsorship criteria are all interconnected. Understanding how these elements fit together can be challenging. We manage the process end-to-end — from assessing your profile and navigating skills assessments through to preparing and lodging your visa application.