Migrate to work in Australia – Australian Work Visa Requirements
The requirements for depend on your circumstances and the type of visa you apply for.
The different requirements per category are as follows:
Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa (Direct Entry Stream)
For the ENS Visa, you must:
- have the skills necessary for the job (skills assessment will be required, with some exemptions)
- be on the relevant list of eligible skilled occupations
- be nominated by an Australian employer
- meet health (learn more about Australia’s medical exam below) and character requirements
- have at least Competent English
- have at least three years of relevant work experience
- be under 45 years of age (with some exemptions)
- read or have been explained the Life in Australia booklet, and sign the Australian Values Statement
Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) Visa (Direct Entry Stream)
For the RSMS Visa you must:
- be nominated by an approved Australian employer for a job in regional Australia
- be under 45 years of age
- be on the relevant list of eligible skilled occupations
- have at least Competent English
- have at least three years of relevant work experience
- have the skills necessary for the job (skills assessment will be required, with some exemptions)
- agree to remain employed with your nominating employer in regional Australia for a minimum of 2 years
- meet health and character requirements
- read or have been explained the Life in Australia booklet, and sign the Australian Values Statement
Skilled Independent Visa
For invited workers, who must:
- be nominated by an Australian state or territory government agency and invited to apply by submitting an expression of interest (EOI)
- be under 45 years of age
- be on the relevant list of eligible skilled occupations
- have the skills necessary for the job (skills assessment will be required, with some exemptions)
- satisfy points test with 65 points or more
- have at least Competent English
- meet health and character requirements
- read or have been explained the Life in Australia booklet, and sign the Australian Values Statement
For New Zealand citizens who must:
- hold a New Zealand Special Category visa (subclass 444)
- have lived in Australia for at least five years
- have started living in Australia on or before February 19, 2016
- meet health and character requirements
- read or have been explained the Life in Australia booklet, and sign the Australian Values Statement
Temporary Skill Shortage Visa
For this type of visa, you must:
- hold a substantive visa or a Bridging visa A, B, or C and complied with previous visa conditions, if applying within Australia
- be nominated by an approved sponsor to fill an occupation on the Short-Term Skilled Occupation List (for the short-term stream) or Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (for the medium-term stream)
- have worked in your nominated occupation or a related field for at least two years
- have the skills necessary for the job (skills assessment will be required, with some exemptions)
- have adequate health insurance
- meet health and character requirements
- have at least Competent English
- read or have been explained the Life in Australia booklet, and sign the Australian Values Statement
Skilled Regional (Provisional) Visa
For the invited pathway, you must:
- be nominated by an Australian state, territory government agency, or sponsored by an eligible relative and invited to apply by submitting an expression of interest (EOI)
- be under 45 years of age
- have a suitable skills assessment
- satisfy a points test with 65 points or more (learn more about Australia’s immigration point system below)
- have at least Competent English
- be on the relevant list of eligible skilled occupations
- meet health and character requirements
- read or have been explained the Life in Australia booklet, and sign the Australian Values Statement
If you apply via the extended stay pathway, you will have to previously hold the Skilled Regional Sponsored visa (subclass 475), Skilled Regional Sponsored visa (subclass 487), Skilled Independent Regional visa (subclass 495), or the Skilled Designated Area Sponsored Provisional visa (subclass 496) at the time of application. There is no age limit when you apply via this pathway.
Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) Visa
For this type of visa, you must:
- have highly specialized skills, knowledge, or experience to support Australian business and do on-going work (six months or less)
- have adequate funds to support yourself
- meet health and character requirements
Temporary Work (International Relations) Visa
For this visa, you must:
- provide a letter of support:
- stating that you are engaged in a bilateral agreement between Australia / Australian state or territory government, and another country (for those applying via the Government Agreement stream)
- from the foreign government agency, ministry, mission, international organization, or Australian school or relevant state or territory education authority (for foreign language teachers) for those applying via the Foreign Government Agency stream
- or from the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs Trade (DFAT) for those applying via the Domestic Worker (Diplomatic or Consular) stream
- have adequate funds to support yourself
- hold a temporary substantive visa if applying within Australia
- meet health and character requirements
- have adequate health insurance
If you apply via the Domestic Worker (Diplomatic or Consular) stream, an interview and employment contract may be required.
Distinguished Talent Visa
For this type of Australian visa, you must:
- be nominated
- contribute in a way that benefits the Australian community economically, socially, or culturally, or raise Australia’s academic, artistic, or sports standing internationally
- have the ability to establish yourself in the country either through work in your field or by becoming independently established
- be internationally recognized with a record of achievement in a profession, sport, the arts, or academia and research
- have at least functional English
- meet health and character requirements
- read or have been explained the Life in Australia booklet, and sign the Australian Values Statement