Australian visas for

overseas skilled workers

For more information on employer sponsored visa options or

to locate your DIAC office, phone 131 881 or visit www.immi.gov.au

DIAC07/00151 March 2010


Type of visa
Subclass 457 – Business
(Long Stay)
Employer sponsored categories
Employer Nomination Scheme
(ENS)
Regional Sponsored Migration
Scheme (RSMS)
Skilled – Independent
Skilled – Sponsored
General Skilled Migration (GSM) categories
Skilled – Regional Sponsored
(provisional)
Skilled – Regional
Skilled – Graduate
Skilled – Recognised Graduate
Visa information for overseas workers
This information is for comparison only and does not represent an exhaustive list of visas or their requirements.
For more information and updates go to www.immi.gov.au
Required to work in regional General Skilled Migration
Visa duration Sponsorship required? Skill requirements Additional information Pathways to permanent visa types/citizenship
Australia? points test
From one day up to 4 years Yes, by an employer No, unless approved prior to 14 This visa is not points tested Applicant must have the skills necessary Occupation must be on a gazette notice and terms and May apply for ENS with a formal skills assessment
September 2009 under regional to perform the occupation and English conditions of employment must be no less favourable or after 2 years continuous work in the occupation in
certification arrangements language skills unless exempted than those that are provided to an Australian performing Australia
equivalent work
May apply for RSMS
Dependants have full work/study rights
Permanent Yes, by an employer No This visa is not points tested Skills assessment by relevant Australian Occupation must be on the Employer Nomination May apply for citizenship after 4 years of lawful
authority, 3 years full-time work Scheme Occupation List (ENSOL) and terms and residence in Australia, including at least 12 months of
experience and registration or licensing conditions of employment must be no less favourable permanent residency
if required than those provided to an Australian performing
equivalent work
Permanent Yes, by an employer Yes This visa is not points tested Relevant diploma or higher qualification Once visa is granted, applicant must work for the May apply for citizenship after 4 years of lawful
and registration or licensing if required sponsoring employer for 2 years residence in Australia, including at least 12 months of
permanent residency
Permanent No No Require 120 points Nominated occupation must be on Must have recently completed an Australian qualification May apply for citizenship after 4 years of lawful
Skilled Occupation List (SOL) and in Australia or have recent relevant work experience residence in Australia including at least 12 months of
skills assessed by relevant assessing permanent residency
authority
Permanent Yes, by a state/territory government No Require 100 points Nominated occupation must be on Must have recently completed an Australian qualification May apply for citizenship after 4 years of lawful
agency or an eligible Australian SOL and skills assessed by relevant in Australia or have recent relevant work experience residence in Australia including at least 12 months of
relative assessing authority permanent residency
3 years with option to apply for Yes, by a state/territory government Yes, an applicant must live, work and Require 100 points Nominated occupation must be on Must have recently completed an Australian qualification May apply for the Skilled – Regional visa after 2 years
one further 12 month visa agency or an eligible Australian study in a specified regional area SOL and skills assessed by relevant in Australia or have recent relevant work experience residence and 12 months full-time work in a Specified
relative assessing authority Regional Area
May apply for a visa under the RSMS at any time
Permanent No No This visa is not points tested Must have lived for at least 2 years and n/a May apply for citizenship after 4 years of lawful
residence in Australia including at least 12 months of
worked full-time for at least 12 months
permanent residency
in a Specified Regional Area while
holding a provisional GSM visa
18 months No No This visa is not points tested Nominated occupation must be on This visa is for overseas students who have recently May apply for a permanent GSM or employer sponsored
SOL, skills assessed by relevant completed an Australian qualification in Australia and visa at any time
assessing authority and English need additional time to gain the skills needed to apply for
language threshold met a permanent GSM visa
18 months No No This visa is not points tested Must have completed a bachelor degree This visa is for graduates from recognised overseas May apply for a permanent GSM or employer sponsored
or higher qualification in a specified educational institutions who have skills in demand visa at any time
discipline at a recognised overseas in Australia
educational institution in the last
24 months