🇦🇺 Australia at a Glance
Visa Programs
| Program | Min Income / Points | Min Savings | Language | Processing (Official / Real) | Path to PR | Path to Citizenship | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) | 65 points minimum pass mark; competitive invitations at 80+ in 2026 | — | — | 6-12 months (75% processed within 9 months) / — | — | — | — |
| Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190) | 65 points (including 5 nomination points); competitive varies by state | — | — | 6-12 months (after state nomination) / — | — | — | — |
| Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491) | 65 points (including 15 nomination/sponsorship points) | — | — | 6-12 months / — | — | — | — |
| Employer Sponsored Visa (Subclass 482 TSS / 494 SESR) | No points test — TSMIT AUD $73,150/year (~EUR 44,000) minimum salary | — | — | 3-6 months for 482; 6-9 months for 494 / — | — | — | — |
| Global Talent Visa (Subclass 858) | Must earn or demonstrate potential to earn AUD $167,500/year (~EUR 101,000) — Fair Work high income threshold | — | — | 3-6 months (priority processing) / — | — | — | — |
Financial Requirements
Settlement Funds: No formal savings requirement for most skilled visas. Student visa requires proof of AUD $29,710/year (~EUR 18,000) living costs. Skilled migrants should realistically budget AUD $10,000-20,000 (~EUR 6,000-12,000) for initial settlement costs.
Income Thresholds
€44,000 (per year)
TSMIT: AUD $73,150/year minimum. Significant increase from AUD $53,900 in 2023. Market salary rate must also be met, whichever is higher.
€101,000 (per year)
AUD $167,500/year Fair Work high income threshold. Must earn this or demonstrate potential to earn it.
€32,500 (per year)
AUD $53,900/year minimum taxable income for 3 years in regional Australia to convert 491 to PR.
Investment Minimums
€3,000,000
AUD $5,000,000 in complying investments (government-approved managed funds, VCPE, and balancing investments). Cannot be direct property purchase.
€150,000
AUD $250,000+ net business/personal assets. Must establish or acquire a business in Australia within 2 years. Business turnover of AUD $1,250,000+ required.
Total visa application costs (including skills assessment, health checks, police clearances, English tests, and visa fees) typically range from AUD $5,000-10,000 (~EUR 3,000-6,000) per applicant. Skills assessments alone cost AUD $300-1,200+ depending on the assessing authority. Using a registered migration agent adds AUD $3,000-8,000. Tax system: progressive rates from 0% (tax-free threshold AUD $18,200) to 45% (over AUD $190,000). Medicare levy of 2% applies to all tax residents.
Reality Check
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Not checking occupation lists before starting — your occupation must appear on the relevant skills list (MLTSSL, STSOL, or ROL).
- Underestimating skills assessment timelines — start 3-6 months before you plan to submit an EOI.
- Ignoring the ACS work experience deduction for IT professionals — they deduct 2-4 years, reducing your points.
- Applying only for 189 and ignoring 190/491 — state nomination pathways are faster and more accessible for many applicants.
- Not researching state nomination requirements — each state has different priority occupations and criteria that shift quarterly.
- Choosing an expensive migration agent without verifying their MARA registration at mara.gov.au.
Insider Tips
- Superior English (IELTS 8.0+ each band) is worth 20 points — often the difference between an invitation and waiting indefinitely.
- Professional Year programs (for accounting, engineering, IT) add 5 points and provide Australian work experience — strategic for recent graduates.
- Consider regional pathways seriously — Perth, Adelaide, and Gold Coast offer good quality of life while qualifying as regional for visa purposes.
- State nomination priorities shift quarterly — monitor state migration websites for updated occupation lists and invitation rounds.
- If your occupation is on the MLTSSL, you can apply for 189, 190, and 491 simultaneously — cast a wide net.
- The age cutoff is 45 at time of invitation, not application. If you are approaching 45, submit your EOI as early as possible.
Who Qualifies?
Best visa: Subclass 189 or 190 (if points competitive) or Employer Sponsored 482
Software engineers, data scientists, and cybersecurity professionals are on the MLTSSL. ACS skills assessment deducts 2-4 years from IT work experience — factor this in. Points competition is high for ICT roles. Employer sponsorship (482) bypasses the points test if you find a sponsoring employer. Salaries are strong: AUD $100,000-160,000+ for experienced tech roles.
Best visa: Subclass 189/190 or employer sponsorship
Nurses, doctors, pharmacists, and physiotherapists are in extreme demand across all states. Healthcare roles receive priority processing and lower points thresholds via 190 state nomination. Registration with AHPRA is required and takes 2-6 months. Salaries: nurses AUD $75,000-95,000, doctors AUD $150,000-400,000+.
Best visa: Subclass 491 (regional) or Employer Sponsored 482
Electricians, plumbers, carpenters, and welders are on skills lists. TRA (Trades Recognition Australia) skills assessment required — involves technical interview and may include a job-ready program. Regional areas have strongest demand. Salaries: AUD $70,000-110,000 for experienced tradespeople.
Best visa: No dedicated digital nomad visa — must qualify through standard skilled or employer-sponsored routes
Australia has no digital nomad visa. Working remotely for a foreign employer while on a tourist visa is not legal. Some remote workers use Working Holiday Visas (417/462) if from eligible countries and under 31 (or 35 for some), but these are limited to 1 year initially and have employer restrictions.
Best visa: No current dedicated retiree visa (Investor Retirement Visa 405 closed to new applicants)
Australia's Investor Retirement Visa (subclass 405) is closed to new applications. There is no current dedicated retiree visa. Options: Significant Investor Visa (AUD $5M), parent visa (if children are Australian), or the Contributory Parent Visa (subclass 143, cost AUD $50,000+, wait 5-12 years). Australia is not retiree-immigration-friendly.
Best visa: Significant Investor Visa (188C - AUD $5M) or Business Innovation (188A)
The SIV path is straightforward if you have AUD $5M in complying investments. No age limit, no English requirement, no points test. But investments must be in approved managed funds, not property. Business Innovation (188A) is more accessible financially but requires running a business in Australia. Programs under ongoing review.
Cost of Living
Salary Data (Annual, EUR)
| Profession | Junior (Gross / Net) | Mid (Gross / Net) | Senior (Gross / Net) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | €— / €— | €— / €— | €— / €— |
| Nurse | €— / €— | €— / €— | €— / €— |
| Teacher | €— / €— | €— / €— | €— / €— |
| Marketing Manager | €— / €— | €— / €— | €— / €— |
| Graphic Designer | €— / €— | €— / €— | €— / €— |
| Mechanical Engineer | €— / €— | €— / €— | €— / €— |
| Accountant | €— / €— | €— / €— | €— / €— |
| Data Analyst | €— / €— | €— / €— | €— / €— |
| Architect | €— / €— | €— / €— | €— / €— |
| Chef | €— / €— | €— / €— | €— / €— |
Net reflects Australian income tax (progressive 0%-45% plus 2% Medicare levy). Tax-free threshold is AUD $18,200. Superannuation (11.5% employer contribution) is in addition to gross salary and not included in these figures.
Downloadable Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How many points do I need for an Australian skilled visa in 2026?
The minimum pass mark is 65 points for subclasses 189, 190, and 491. However, the competitive reality for subclass 189 is that most occupations require 80+ points to receive an invitation. Subclass 190 (with state nomination adding 5 points) and 491 (with 15 bonus points) are more achievable. Points come from age (max 30 if under 30), English (max 20 for IELTS 8+), work experience, education, and bonus factors.
What is the difference between the 189, 190, and 491 visas?
Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent) grants immediate PR with no sponsor required — you can live and work anywhere in Australia. Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated) also grants immediate PR but requires state/territory nomination and a commitment to live in that state for 2 years. Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional) is a provisional visa requiring 3 years living and working in regional Australia before applying for PR (subclass 191). The 491 adds 15 bonus points, making it the most accessible for lower-scoring applicants.
What skills assessment do I need and how long does it take?
Every skilled visa applicant needs a positive skills assessment from the relevant authority for their occupation. ACS (IT professionals): 6-8 weeks, deducts 2-4 years from experience. Engineers Australia: 3-4 months. VETASSESS (general professions): 2-3 months. TRA (trades): 2-6 months including practical assessment. Costs range from AUD $300 to AUD $1,200+. Start this process first — it is the longest lead-time item.
Do I need a job offer to get a skilled visa?
Not for subclass 189 (independent) or 190 (state nominated). These are points-based and do not require an employer. However, employer-sponsored visas (subclass 482 and 494) do require a job offer from an approved sponsor employer. The 482 bypasses the points test entirely — your employer sponsors you directly. Having a job offer does not add points to the 189/190/491 points test.
How does the employer sponsorship salary threshold work?
The Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) was raised to AUD $73,150/year in late 2023. Your employer must offer at least this amount (or the market salary rate for the role, whichever is higher). This effectively prices out many lower-paying skilled roles from sponsorship. Some concessions exist for specific industries and regional areas.
What does regional Australia mean for visa purposes?
For the 491 visa, regional Australia includes everywhere except Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane metro areas. This means cities like Adelaide, Perth, Gold Coast, Canberra, Newcastle, Wollongong, Hobart, and Geelong all qualify as regional. Many of these offer excellent quality of life and strong job markets. The definition has been expanded over time to incentivize regional migration.
How long until I can become an Australian citizen?
You can apply for citizenship after 4 years of lawful residence in Australia, with at least 12 months as a permanent resident. You must have been physically present in Australia for at least 2 of the 4 years, including 9 of the 12 months immediately before applying. You must pass a citizenship test in English covering Australian values, history, and responsibilities. Processing takes 1-12 months.
Can my partner work in Australia on my visa?
Yes. Partners included on skilled visa applications (189, 190, 491) receive full work rights. Partners of 482 visa holders receive an open work permit (subclass 482 secondary). Partners can add 5-10 points to your points test if they have skilled qualifications, English proficiency, and a positive skills assessment. Partners without these do not lose points — they just do not contribute bonus points.
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