Australia selects skilled migrants through SkillSelect: you submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) scored on the Points Test. You need at least 65 points to enter the pool, but because invitations go to the highest scorers, most occupations now need 85+ to be competitive. Our calculator adds up your points across every factor — including the 5-point state nomination (190) and 15-point regional nomination (491).
Australia's migration system is run by the federal Department of Home Affairs and is built around a capped annual permanent Migration Program (held at 185,000 places for 2025-26: 132,200 in the Skill stream (71%), 52,500 in the Family stream (28%), and 300 in Special Eligibility) plus a separate Humanitarian Program (20,000 places for 2025-26). Within the Skill stream a new consolidated 'Talent and Innovation' category (4,300 places) now absorbs the National Innovation visa and the former Global/Distinguished Talent programs. Routes fall into five buckets: economic/skilled (points-tested General Skilled Migration or employer/regional sponsorship), family (partner, parent, child), study and temporary work (student, graduate, working holiday, visitor), humanitarian/refugee, and special/community programs (Pacific Engagement, New Zealand and Hong Kong streams, skilled-refugee pilots). Many temporary visas are deliberate stepping-stones to PR: a Student (500) holder can move to a Temporary Graduate (485) and then to skilled PR, and a Skills in Demand (482) worker can transition to PR via the Employer Nomination Scheme (186). The biggest recent shake-up landed in late 2024: the old TSS subclass 482 was rebuilt as the Skills in Demand visa (7 Dec 2024) with Core, Specialist and Essential streams and a shorter, more portable PR pathway; the Global Talent visa was replaced by the invitation-only National Innovation visa (subclass 858); and the Business Innovation and Investment Program (188/132/888) was permanently closed to new applications (31 July 2024). Income thresholds and most visa charges index every 1 July, the GSM points test is under formal government review, and state/territory nomination places were cut sharply for 2025-26, so figures and competitiveness shift year to year and should always be checked against the live Home Affairs pages.
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From skilled-worker and investor visas to family, study and humanitarian routes — each with its real
eligibility requirements, key facts and a link to the official page.
The flagship 'no sponsor needed' permanent visa: score enough points, get invited, then live and work anywhere in Australia.
Who it's for
Skilled workers whose occupation is on the MLTSSL, who have a strong points score, and who want permanent residence without needing an employer, state, or family sponsor.
Key requirements
Be invited to apply via a SkillSelect Expression of Interest (EOI); you can submit at 65 points but invitations in 2025 realistically require far more (construction/trades from ~65-70, health/education from ~75, and high-demand fields like ICT/engineering/accounting commonly 90-110+).
Occupation must be on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) with a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority.
Be under 45 years of age at the time of invitation (age also scores points, peaking 25-32).
At least Competent English (IELTS 6 in each band, or equivalent PTE/TOEFL); Proficient (IELTS 7) and Superior (IELTS 8) earn extra points.
+ 2 more requirements
Minimum to submit EOI
65 points (invitation cut-offs are much higher in practice)
Visa application charge
From AUD 4,910 primary applicant (1 July 2025)
Leads to PR?
It IS permanent residence from grant
Sponsor needed?
No
Independent editorial summary. Confirm current rules on the official source before relying on eligibility details.
Points-tested permanent residence with a state/territory nomination that adds 5 points and can rescue a borderline score.
Who it's for
Skilled workers nominated by an Australian state or territory government, typically because their occupation is in demand there and they meet that state's specific (often stricter) criteria.
Key requirements
Be nominated by a state or territory government and then invited to apply; nomination adds 5 points to your score.
Occupation on the relevant state/territory skilled occupation list with a positive skills assessment.
Under 45 at invitation; at least Competent English (IELTS 6 / equivalent).
Meet the 65-point minimum to lodge an EOI, but each state sets its own higher thresholds plus job-offer, work-experience or residency conditions.
+ 2 more requirements
Nomination bonus
+5 points
Visa application charge
From AUD 4,910 primary applicant (1 July 2025)
Leads to PR?
It IS permanent residence from grant
Sponsor needed?
Yes - state/territory nomination
Independent editorial summary. Confirm current rules on the official source before relying on eligibility details.
A 5-year regional provisional visa worth a big +15 points, designed as a stepping stone to PR via subclass 191.
Who it's for
Skilled workers willing to live and work in designated regional Australia, nominated by a state/territory or sponsored by an eligible relative living in a regional area.
Key requirements
Be nominated by a state/territory government OR sponsored by an eligible family member residing in a designated regional area; this adds 15 points (the largest single points bonus).
Occupation on the relevant skilled list with a positive skills assessment.
Under 45 at invitation; at least Competent English (IELTS 6 / equivalent).
Submit a SkillSelect EOI scoring at least 65 points (state thresholds and conditions are usually higher).
+ 2 more requirements
Nomination/sponsor bonus
+15 points
Validity
5 years (provisional)
Visa application charge
From AUD 4,910 primary applicant (1 July 2025)
Leads to PR?
Yes - pathway to subclass 191 after 3 years
Independent editorial summary. Confirm current rules on the official source before relying on eligibility details.
The permanent-residence finish line for 491 (and old 494) holders who have lived and earned in regional Australia for three years.
Who it's for
Holders of a regional provisional visa (subclass 491, or 494) who have met the regional residence and income-evidence requirements and now want full permanent residence.
Key requirements
Have held an eligible regional provisional visa (491 or 494) for at least 3 years.
Have lived in a designated regional area while holding that provisional visa and complied with its conditions.
Provide ATO Notices of Assessment showing you met the minimum taxable income requirement for at least 3 income years during the provisional period (the three years need not be consecutive).
Meet health and character requirements.
Regional residence required
3 years on the provisional visa
Income evidence
ATO Notices of Assessment for 3 income years (no separate legislated dollar minimum currently in force)
Visa application charge
From around AUD 540 primary applicant (much lower than GSM visas)
Leads to PR?
It IS permanent residence
Independent editorial summary. Confirm current rules on the official source before relying on eligibility details.
The renamed and rebuilt TSS visa (since Dec 2024): employer-sponsored work for up to 4 years with a faster, more portable path to PR.
Who it's for
Skilled workers with a job offer from an approved Australian sponsor whose occupation is on the Core Skills Occupation List, or who earn a high specialist salary, or who fill an essential lower-paid role under a labour agreement.
Key requirements
Core Skills stream: occupation on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL, around 456 occupations) and earnings at or above the Core Skills Income Threshold - AUD 76,515 (2025-26), rising to AUD 79,499 from 1 July 2026 - or the market salary rate, whichever is higher.
Specialist Skills stream: earnings at or above the Specialist Skills Income Threshold - AUD 141,210 (2025-26), rising to AUD 146,717 from 1 July 2026; no fixed occupation list and faster (target ~7-day) processing, but excludes trades, machinery operators, drivers and labourers.
Essential Skills stream: lower-paid essential occupations accessed only via a labour agreement (the relabelled labour-agreement stream, being formalised in 2026).
At least 1 year of full-time (or equivalent) relevant work experience in the past 5 years - cut from 2 years under the old TSS rules.
+ 2 more requirements
Core Skills Income Threshold
AUD 76,515 (2025-26), AUD 79,499 from 1 Jul 2026
Specialist Skills Income Threshold
AUD 141,210 (2025-26), AUD 146,717 from 1 Jul 2026
Validity
Up to 4 years
Visa application charge
From AUD 3,210 base (1 July 2025), plus SAF levy (~AUD 1,200-4,200) paid by the sponsor
Independent editorial summary. Confirm current rules on the official source before relying on eligibility details.
The main employer-sponsored permanent visa: an Australian business nominates you for PR, either after working for them (TRT) or directly (Direct Entry).
Who it's for
Skilled workers whose Australian employer wants to sponsor them for permanent residence - current 482/TSS holders transitioning after time with the employer, or candidates nominated directly with a strong skills assessment and experience.
Key requirements
Be nominated by an approved Australian employer for a position paying at least the Core Skills Income Threshold (AUD 76,515 from 1 July 2025) or the annual market salary rate, whichever is higher.
Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream: have worked for the sponsoring employer (generally 2 years) in the nominated occupation while holding a 482/TSS visa; from 29 Nov 2025 only sponsored work counts toward this.
Direct Entry stream: at least 3 years of relevant skilled work experience and a positive skills assessment for the occupation.
Generally under 45 at application (some exemptions, e.g. certain high earners and long-term 457/482 holders).
+ 2 more requirements
Salary floor
AUD 76,515 CSIT (from 1 July 2025) or market rate, whichever is higher
Age limit
Under 45 at application (with exemptions)
Visa application charge
From AUD 4,910 primary applicant (1 July 2025)
Leads to PR?
It IS permanent residence from grant
Independent editorial summary. Confirm current rules on the official source before relying on eligibility details.
Employer-sponsored work in regional Australia for 5 years, with a built-in path to permanent residence via subclass 191.
Who it's for
Skilled workers with a job offer from an approved employer in a designated regional area who can commit to living and working regionally on the road to PR.
Key requirements
Be nominated by an approved employer in a designated regional area for an occupation on the relevant skilled list.
At least 3 years of full-time relevant work experience in the nominated occupation.
Hold a positive skills assessment for the nominated occupation.
Under 45 years of age at the time of application (with limited exemptions).
+ 2 more requirements
Validity
5 years (provisional)
Experience required
3 years in the nominated occupation
Age limit
Under 45 at application
Leads to PR?
Yes - via subclass 191 after 3 years regional
Independent editorial summary. Confirm current rules on the official source before relying on eligibility details.
A complementary labour pathway letting Australian employers sponsor skilled refugees and displaced people through the standard skilled visas.
Who it's for
Skilled refugees and displaced people abroad who have a job offer from an endorsed Australian employer and who would otherwise be blocked from normal skilled visas by documentation or status barriers.
Key requirements
Be a skilled refugee or displaced person identified/referred through the program's delivery partner (Talent Beyond Boundaries) and offered a role by an endorsed Australian business.
Be sponsored under one of three labour-agreement streams: Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186), Skills in Demand (subclass 482), or Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (subclass 494).
Meet the relevant skilled-visa criteria as concessionally applied under the labour agreement (concessions can apply to evidence of skills, work experience, English and age).
Fill roles in eligible industries such as health, education, IT, hospitality and construction.
+ 1 more requirement
Pilot size
500 primary places (plus family); ~330 remaining as at Aug 2025
Pilot end date
Extended to 30 June 2026
Sponsoring visas
186 / 482 / 494 labour-agreement streams
Leads to PR?
Yes - via the 186 stream, or 482/494 transitioning to PR
Independent editorial summary. Confirm current rules on the official source before relying on eligibility details.
A non-points permanent residence route for long-settled New Zealand citizens already living and working in Australia.
Who it's for
New Zealand citizens who have lived in Australia long-term on a Special Category (subclass 444) visa and want full Australian permanent residence (and a path to citizenship).
Key requirements
Hold a Special Category (subclass 444) visa.
Have been usually resident in Australia for a continuous period of at least 5 years, having started that residence on or before 19 February 2016.
Meet a minimum taxable income requirement - at least AUD 53,900 (per relevant income year) for at least 3 of the last 5 income years, including the most recent year (some exemptions, e.g. for primary carers, apply).
Meet health and character requirements.
+ 1 more requirement
Visa application charge
From around AUD 4,640 primary applicant (indexed)
Income requirement
AUD 53,900 for 3 of the last 5 income years (with exemptions)
Leads to PR?
It IS permanent residence from grant
Sponsor needed?
No
Independent editorial summary. Confirm current rules on the official source before relying on eligibility details.
A simplified, no-skills-test permanent residence route for Hong Kong and BNO passport holders already in Australia on a qualifying visa.
Who it's for
Hong Kong SAR or British National (Overseas) passport holders who came to Australia on an eligible 457, 482 or 485 visa under the Hong Kong concessions and have built up residence here.
Key requirements
Hold a HKSAR or BNO passport (primary applicant).
Hold or have held an eligible subclass 457, 482 or 485 visa covered by the Hong Kong concessions.
Have been usually resident in Australia for a continuous period of at least 4 years immediately before applying, holding a qualifying visa throughout.
Have Functional English (e.g. IELTS average band of at least 4.5).
+ 2 more requirements
Residence required
4 years continuous in Australia on a qualifying visa
English
Functional English (~IELTS average 4.5)
Skills assessment / occupation list
Not required
Leads to PR?
It IS permanent residence from grant
Independent editorial summary. Confirm current rules on the official source before relying on eligibility details.
Australia's invitation-only 'exceptional talent' permanent visa - replaced the Global Talent visa and absorbed the closed investor program.
Who it's for
Globally recognised high achievers and exceptional talent in priority sectors - researchers, entrepreneurs, investors, and standout professionals - whose work will substantially benefit Australia.
Key requirements
Submit an Expression of Interest and receive an invitation from the Department of Home Affairs (invitation-only - you cannot lodge without one).
Demonstrate an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement and continuing prominence in your field.
Have a nominator with a national reputation in the same field - an Australian citizen, permanent resident, eligible NZ citizen, or an Australian organisation.
Show your skills will provide substantial benefit to Australia, with priority given to Tier 1 sectors (critical technologies such as AI, health industries, and renewables/low-emission technologies).
+ 1 more requirement
Application basis
Invitation only (after EOI)
Age
No hard limit (under 18 / over 55 must show exceptional benefit)
Processing time
Roughly 6-12 months for Tier 1/priority cases; ~13-27 months for standard cases
Leads to PR?
It IS permanent residence from grant
Independent editorial summary. Confirm current rules on the official source before relying on eligibility details.
Australia's former business-owner and investor migration program - now closed to all new applications.
Who it's for
Formerly business owners, entrepreneurs and investors; no longer open - listed here so applicants don't waste time pursuing a route that no longer exists.
Key requirements
CLOSED to new applications - the program stopped accepting new EOIs and applications from 31 July 2024.
No new subclass 188 (provisional) or 132 applications can be lodged; the investor pathway has been discontinued.
Existing applications lodged before closure continue to be processed under the prior rules.
Some 188 provisional holders retain a pathway to the permanent subclass 888 visa under transitional arrangements.
Status
Closed to new applications since 31 July 2024
Replacement
National Innovation visa (subclass 858) for high-calibre talent/investors
Existing applications
Still processed; refunds offered to some EOI applicants
Leads to PR?
Only for pre-existing 188 holders via the 888
Independent editorial summary. Confirm current rules on the official source before relying on eligibility details.
Two-stage onshore route for the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian, leading to permanent residence.
Who it's for
People already in Australia who are married to, or in a genuine de facto relationship with, an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
Key requirements
Married or in a de facto relationship (generally 12+ months of cohabitation, unless the relationship is registered or there are compelling circumstances) with an eligible sponsor.
Sponsor must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible NZ citizen; sponsorship is approved separately and lifetime-sponsorship limits apply.
Apply onshore: the 820 (temporary) is granted first, then the 801 (permanent) is generally decided about 2 years after lodgement.
Provide evidence of a genuine and continuing relationship (financial, social, household and commitment aspects).
+ 2 more requirements
Base application fee
AUD 9,365 (from 1 July 2025; covers both the 820 and 801 stages)
Processing time (820)
Approx. 50% within ~20 months, 90% within ~26 months (as at early 2026)
Leads to PR?
Yes - the 801 is permanent
Sponsor needed?
Yes (eligible partner sponsor)
Independent editorial summary. Confirm current rules on the official source before relying on eligibility details.
The 'fiance(e)' visa: enter Australia to marry your intended Australian partner, then apply for a partner visa.
Who it's for
People outside Australia who are engaged to an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen and intend to marry within the visa period.
Key requirements
Genuine intention to marry the sponsoring partner within the visa validity period.
Both parties must be 18 or older.
Have met in person as adults and be known to each other (face-to-face).
Applicant outside Australia when the visa is lodged and granted.
+ 2 more requirements
Base application fee
Approx. AUD 9,365 (aligned with the partner visa charge from 1 July 2025)
Validity
Stay and marry within the visa period (typically up to ~15 months)
Leads to PR?
Indirectly - after marriage, apply onshore for Partner 820/801
Sponsor needed?
Yes
Independent editorial summary. Confirm current rules on the official source before relying on eligibility details.
The faster (but very expensive) permanent parent visa for parents of Australians willing to pay a large contribution.
Who it's for
Parents of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen who can pay the substantial 'contribution' to obtain PR more quickly than the non-contributory queue.
Key requirements
Have a child who is a settled Australian citizen, PR, or eligible NZ citizen acting as sponsor.
Meet the 'balance of family' test (at least half your children live permanently in Australia, or more live in Australia than in any other single country).
Provide an Assurance of Support (a financial bond) before the second instalment is called.
Pass health and character checks (the second instalment is called only after these pass).
+ 1 more requirement
First instalment (VAC)
Approx. AUD 5,040 per main applicant (indexed)
Second instalment
Approx. AUD 43,600 per adult applicant (the large 'contribution')
Processing time
Roughly 12-15 years (capped program)
Leads to PR?
Yes - permanent on grant
Independent editorial summary. Confirm current rules on the official source before relying on eligibility details.
The low-cost permanent parent visa - cheap to apply for, but with an extraordinarily long queue.
Who it's for
Parents of an Australian citizen, PR, or eligible NZ citizen who want permanent residence and are willing to wait many years rather than pay the contributory amount.
Key requirements
Have a child who is a settled Australian citizen, PR, or eligible NZ citizen acting as sponsor.
Meet the 'balance of family' test.
Provide an Assurance of Support before grant.
Meet health and character requirements.
+ 1 more requirement
First instalment (VAC)
Approx. AUD 5,280 per main applicant
Second instalment
Approx. AUD 2,065 per applicant (called before grant)
Processing time
Roughly 30 years (queue is decades long) - effectively a generational wait
Leads to PR?
Yes
Independent editorial summary. Confirm current rules on the official source before relying on eligibility details.
The practical workaround for the decade-long parent queue: live with your child in Australia for up to 5 years at a time, no balance-of-family test.
Who it's for
Parents of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen who want to spend long, continuous periods in Australia while waiting for (or instead of) a permanent parent visa.
Key requirements
Be sponsored by an approved child sponsor who is an Australian citizen, PR, or eligible NZ citizen, aged 18+, and who has lived in Australia for at least 4 years.
The sponsor must be approved FIRST (a separate sponsorship application) before the parent can lodge the visa.
Sponsor must meet a minimum income test - household income of at least AUD 83,454.80 (a partner's income can be combined, with the main sponsor earning at least 50% of it).
No 'balance of family' test (unlike permanent parent visas).
+ 2 more requirements
Application charge
AUD 6,070 (up to 3 years) or AUD 12,140 (up to 5 years); plus a ~AUD 420 sponsorship fee
Validity
Up to 3 or 5 years per grant; renewable up to a 10-year lifetime maximum
Sponsor income test
Household income at least AUD 83,454.80
Leads to PR?
No - temporary only (cannot lead directly to PR)
Independent editorial summary. Confirm current rules on the official source before relying on eligibility details.
Permanent residence for a dependent child of an Australian parent - 101 if the child is overseas, 802 if onshore.
Who it's for
Dependent children (biological, adopted, or step-children) of an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
Key requirements
Be the dependent child of an eligible Australian sponsor (parent).
Be single - not married, engaged, or in a de facto relationship.
Be under 18, OR aged 18-24 and a full-time student financially dependent on the parent, OR have a disability preventing self-support (age/study rules waived).
101: child outside Australia at lodgement and grant; 802: child onshore.
+ 1 more requirement
Base application fee (101)
Approx. AUD 3,235 main applicant
Base application fee (802)
Approx. AUD 3,140 main applicant
Processing time
Roughly 20-26 months (varies)
Leads to PR?
Yes - permanent on grant
Independent editorial summary. Confirm current rules on the official source before relying on eligibility details.
The single visa for studying full-time at a registered (CRICOS) Australian institution, with limited work rights.
Who it's for
International students enrolled in a registered full-time course in Australia - from ELICOS and schools through to vocational, higher education and postgraduate research.
Key requirements
Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) in a CRICOS-registered course.
Meet the Genuine Student (GS) requirement (which replaced the old Genuine Temporary Entrant test in 2024).
Show financial capacity for living costs - at least AUD 29,710 per year for the main student (indexed; plus tuition and travel).
English proficiency, commonly IELTS ~5.5-6.0 overall (varies by course, level and provider; higher for some).
+ 2 more requirements
Application fee
AUD 2,000 (increased from AUD 1,600 on 1 July 2025)
Work rights
Up to 48 hours per fortnight while course is in session; unlimited on breaks; unlimited for Masters by Research/PhD
Funds required
~AUD 29,710/year living costs (main applicant) + tuition + airfare
Leads to PR?
Indirectly - via 485 Temporary Graduate then skilled PR
Independent editorial summary. Confirm current rules on the official source before relying on eligibility details.
Post-study work rights for recent international graduates of Australian institutions.
Who it's for
Recent graduates of eligible Australian qualifications who want to live, work and gain experience in Australia after study. Main streams: Post-Higher Education Work and Post-Vocational Education Work.
Key requirements
Recently completed an eligible CRICOS-registered Australian qualification meeting the Australian study requirement.
Be under 35 at time of application for most applicants (reduced from 50 on 1 July 2024); exceptions to 50 apply for Hong Kong/BNO passport holders and Masters-by-research/PhD graduates.
English generally IELTS 6.5 overall with no band below 5.5, with the test taken within 1 year of application.
Hold or have recently held an eligible student visa.
+ 1 more requirement
Application fee
Approx. AUD 2,235 (main applicant; indexed)
Visa duration
Post-Higher Education: ~2 years (Bachelor/coursework Master), up to 3 years (PhD); extra time for some regional study
Age limit
Under 35 (exceptions to 50 for HK/BNO and research graduates)
Work rights
Full work rights
Independent editorial summary. Confirm current rules on the official source before relying on eligibility details.
Up to three years of travel-and-work in Australia for young people from eligible countries.
Who it's for
Young adults (18-30, or 18-35 for some nationalities) from partner countries who want to holiday and work in Australia for a year, extendable via regional/specified work.
Key requirements
Aged 18-30 at time of application (18-35 for citizens of some countries, e.g. Canada, France, Ireland, Italy and the UK, depending on stream).
Hold a passport from an eligible country (417 'Working Holiday' and 462 'Work and Holiday' cover different country lists; 462 may require a government support letter, minimum education, and English for some nationalities).
Have adequate funds - typically around AUD 5,000 - plus a return/onward travel ticket or the funds for one.
No dependent children accompanying you.
+ 2 more requirements
Application fee
Approx. AUD 670 (from 1 July 2025; both 417 and 462)
Validity
12 months per grant; up to 3 years total via specified-work extensions
Age limit
18-30 (up to 35 for select nationalities)
Funds required
~AUD 5,000 + onward travel funds
Independent editorial summary. Confirm current rules on the official source before relying on eligibility details.
Australia's main short-stay visa for tourism, visiting family, or short business activities - by far the most-applied-for Australian visa.
Who it's for
People who want to come to Australia temporarily as a tourist, to visit family or friends, or for short business visitor activities (meetings, conferences, negotiations - not paid work).
Key requirements
Apply under the relevant stream: Tourist, Business Visitor, Sponsored Family, or Frequent Traveller.
Show genuine intention to stay temporarily and to leave before the visa expires (a genuine visitor).
Demonstrate sufficient funds to cover your stay and adequate ties to your home country.
Meet health and character requirements; some applicants must do a health examination.
+ 2 more requirements
Application charge
From AUD 200 (Tourist/Business streams, offshore); higher for longer-validity grants
Validity
Stays usually 3, 6 or 12 months per entry; some grants valid up to ~10 years for short visits
Work rights
No work rights (business visitor activities only; no paid employment)
Leads to PR?
No - short-stay temporary only
Independent editorial summary. Confirm current rules on the official source before relying on eligibility details.
Australia's permanent protection program for refugees and others in humanitarian need, offshore and onshore.
Who it's for
People subject to persecution or substantial human-rights abuse - resettled from offshore (Refugee and Special Humanitarian streams) or granted onshore protection after arriving in Australia.
Key requirements
Offshore Refugee (200) / In-country (201) / Emergency Rescue (203) / Woman at Risk (204): be outside your home country, usually referred (e.g. by UNHCR), and meet the refugee definition.
Global Special Humanitarian (202): be outside your home country, subject to substantial discrimination amounting to gross human-rights violations, and have a proposer who is an Australian citizen/PR or an eligible organisation.
Onshore Protection (866): be in Australia lawfully and engage Australia's protection obligations (refugee or complementary protection).
Meet health, character and security/national-security checks.
+ 1 more requirement
Program size
20,000 places in 2025-26 (held at the 2023-24 level)
Application fee
Nil for offshore humanitarian visas; Protection (866) generally has no/low charge
Leads to PR?
Yes - these are permanent visas with full work rights and settlement support
Sponsor/proposer needed?
Required for the 202 (Special Humanitarian); referral (e.g. UNHCR) for the refugee streams
Independent editorial summary. Confirm current rules on the official source before relying on eligibility details.
A new permanent visa allocated by random ballot for nationals of Pacific island countries and Timor-Leste with a job offer in Australia.
Who it's for
Citizens of participating Pacific island countries and Timor-Leste (plus a separate Treaty stream for Tuvaluan nationals) who are selected in the annual ballot and have an Australian job offer.
Key requirements
Register in the annual Pacific Engagement visa ballot (a small registration fee applies) and be randomly selected - selection is required before you can apply.
Be a citizen of an eligible participating country and hold a valid passport from that country (Pacific Engagement stream) or be a Tuvaluan national (Treaty stream, under the Australia-Tuvalu Falepili Union).
Be aged 18 to 45 at the time of application.
Have a genuine offer of ongoing employment in Australia (the primary applicant needs a qualifying job offer).
+ 2 more requirements
Program size
3,000 permanent places per year (inclusive of family); up to 280 for the Tuvalu Treaty stream in 2025-26
Selection
Random ballot - registration then selection required before applying
Age limit
18-45 at application
Leads to PR?
It IS permanent residence from grant (with full work rights and access to services)
Independent editorial summary. Confirm current rules on the official source before relying on eligibility details.
What's the easiest and cheapest way to migrate to Australia?
It depends entirely on your situation. If you're young (under 30-35) and from an eligible country, a Working Holiday visa (417/462) is the lowest-barrier way to live and work here temporarily (around AUD 670 plus ~AUD 5,000 in savings). If your partner is Australian, the Partner visa is the most direct path to PR. For skilled workers there's no truly 'cheap' permanent route - the lowest-friction option is points-tested GSM: if your occupation is on the MLTSSL and you score well, subclass 189 needs no sponsor; if your score is borderline, a state nomination (190, +5 points) or a regional pathway (491, +15 points) makes an invitation easier. Government charges for GSM visas are around AUD 4,910 for the main applicant, on top of skills-assessment fees, English tests and any agent fees. Employer-sponsored routes (482/186) shift much of the cost and the SAF levy onto the sponsoring employer. Nationals of Pacific island countries and Timor-Leste also have a low-cost ballot route - the Pacific Engagement visa (192) - that grants PR directly if selected.
Do I need a job offer to immigrate to Australia?
Not always. The points-tested General Skilled Migration visas (189, 190, 491) rely on points, a skills assessment and (for 190/491) a government nomination - not a job offer. Partner, parent, child, student and working-holiday visas also don't require a job offer. You DO need an approved employer sponsor for the Skills in Demand (482), Employer Nomination Scheme (186) and regional 494 visas, and you need a genuine job offer (though not a formal sponsor) for the Pacific Engagement visa (192). So skilled workers without an Australian employer usually aim for the GSM route, while those who land a sponsoring employer use the 482-to-186 pathway.
How does the points test work and what score do I really need?
You self-assess points in a SkillSelect EOI based on age (best 25-32), English ability (Competent/Proficient/Superior), skilled work experience in and outside Australia, qualifications, and bonuses for a skilled partner, Australian study, regional study or community language. You need a minimum of 65 points just to submit an EOI, but that almost never wins an invitation - in 2025, competitive scores have been roughly 75+ for health/education and 90-110+ for popular fields like ICT, engineering and accounting. State nomination (+5) and regional sponsorship (+15) can lift a borderline score. Note: the points test is currently under government review and may change. (Some special 189 streams - the New Zealand and Hong Kong streams - have no points test at all, relying instead on residence and income/English requirements.)
How much money do I need to show, and how long does it all take?
Funds depend on the visa: student applicants must show roughly AUD 29,710 per year for living costs (plus tuition and airfare), and Working Holiday applicants around AUD 5,000 plus onward-travel funds. Skilled and partner visas have no fixed savings figure but carry large application charges. Timelines vary enormously - points-tested GSM has two stages (time in the SkillSelect pool waiting for an invitation, which can be months to over a year, then several months of processing). Employer-sponsored 482 grants can be quicker (the Specialist Skills stream targets ~7 days), and Visitor (600) visas are often decided in days. Parent visas are the extreme: the contributory 143 takes ~12-15 years and the non-contributory 103 effectively decades. The National Innovation visa typically takes 6-12 months for priority cases and longer otherwise. Always check the live processing-time tool on the Home Affairs website.
Can I bring my partner and children with me?
Generally yes. All the main skilled visas (189, 190, 491, 482, 186, 494, 858), the Pacific Engagement visa (192), and most family, student and graduate visas let you include your partner/spouse and dependent children as secondary applicants - they get the same visa status and, on permanent visas, the same PR. You pay additional charges per family member. A skilled partner can also earn you extra points on the points-tested visas. Two exceptions to note: Working Holiday visas do not allow you to bring dependent children, and dependent children of Australians can apply for their own Child visa (101/802).
How do I get permanent residence from a temporary 482 work visa?
Since the December 2024 reforms, all three Skills in Demand (482) streams - Core, Specialist and Essential - can transition to permanent residence through the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) Temporary Residence Transition stream. You generally need about 2 years of relevant work (shortened from the old 3 years), and from 29 November 2025 only sponsored work counts toward that requirement; the time can be split across more than one approved sponsor. Alternatively, if your occupation is on the right list you may qualify independently for a points-tested GSM visa.
Can my parents come and live with me in Australia?
Permanent parent visas exist (contributory 143/173 and non-contributory 103), but the program is capped at around 8,500 places a year, so even the 'fast' contributory route takes about 12-15 years and the cheap non-contributory queue runs into decades. Parents must also pass a 'balance of family' test. Because of those waits, most families use the Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 870): your child sponsors you (the sponsor must meet a household-income test of about AUD 83,454.80 and have lived in Australia 4+ years), there's no balance-of-family test, and you can stay up to 3 or 5 years per grant, renewable to a 10-year lifetime cap. The 870 costs roughly AUD 6,070 (3 years) or AUD 12,140 (5 years), but it gives no work rights, no Medicare and does not lead to PR.
Can I still migrate to Australia as a business owner or investor?
Not through the old investor program. The Business Innovation and Investment Program (subclasses 188/132/888) was closed to new applications from 31 July 2024, and the Global Talent visa was abolished at the same time. They were replaced by a single, invitation-only National Innovation visa (subclass 858), now sitting inside the new 'Talent and Innovation' Migration Program category (4,300 places for 2025-26). It targets globally recognised, exceptional talent in priority sectors (including some high-calibre entrepreneurs and investors) rather than offering a straightforward 'invest X dollars for PR' route. For most ordinary business migrants there is currently no open pathway.