Move to Australia, every legal route
Australia's points-tested skilled migration program is one of the few major destinations that doesn't require a job offer. Here's every realistic route in, from the points test to family visas — including a couple of doors that have recently closed.
Visa & immigration routes
Tap a category to expand it. Figures are indicative — always confirm current details on the official government site before applying.
Points-Based / Highly Skilled 2 routes ▾
The main independent route — no job offer needed, scored on age, English, education and experience.
Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189)
Points-tested, no sponsor and no state nomination required. Requires a positive skills assessment in an occupation on the relevant skilled list.
~AUD $4,640 (base application charge, primary applicant)
~12–24 months from Expression of Interest to grant
- Positive skills assessment
- At least 65 points on the points test
- Under 45 years old
- Competent English (minimum)
- Nominated occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list
- Skills assessment
- English test results
- Passport
- Evidence of work experience
Skilled Nominated / Regional Visas (subclass 190 / 491)
Adds state or territory nomination (190) or regional nomination (491) points and access to more invitation rounds — often more accessible than 189 alone.
~AUD $4,640 plus any state nomination fee
~12–24 months
- Positive skills assessment
- State/territory or regional nomination
- Meets the (lower, nomination-boosted) points threshold
- Skills assessment
- English test results
- State nomination approval
- Passport
Employer-Sponsored 1 route ▾
For applicants with a genuine job offer from an approved Australian employer.
Skills in Demand Visa (subclass 482)
Australia's main employer-sponsored temporary visa, replacing the old TSS visa framework, with Core Skills, Specialist Skills and Labour Agreement streams.
~AUD $1,455 (Short-term) to $3,035 (Medium-term)
Several weeks to a few months once sponsored
- Job offer from an approved sponsor
- Occupation on the relevant skilled list
- Salary at least AUD $76,515 (Core Skills, rising to ~$79,499 from July 2026)
- Relevant skills/qualifications
- Nomination from employer
- Skills assessment (in some cases)
- Passport
- Evidence of experience
Startup / Entrepreneur / Investor 1 route ▾
The old investor/business visa program has closed — only an elite, invitation-only route remains.
National Innovation Visa (subclass 858)
Replaced the Business Innovation and Investment Program and the old Global Talent visa. Invitation-only, for people with an internationally recognised record of exceptional achievement.
No investment requirement — standard visa application charges apply
~4–8 months once invited
- An internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement in an eligible field (professions, sport, arts, or academia/research)
- An invitation to apply from the Department of Home Affairs
- Evidence of exceptional achievement
- References
- Passport
Working Holiday 1 route ▾
Popular and accessible, but currently limited to a specific list of countries.
Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417 / 462)
Lets young people from eligible countries live and work in Australia for up to 12 months, extendable with regional work.
AUD $840 (first visa), $1,000 (second/third)
Usually a few weeks
- Aged 18–30 (up to 35 for a few countries)
- Citizen of an eligible country
- Around AUD $5,000 in savings plus return travel funds
- Passport
- Proof of funds
- Health checks in some cases
Family / Spousal / Partner 1 route ▾
For spouses, de facto partners and family of Australian citizens, PRs or eligible New Zealand citizens.
Partner Visa (subclass 820/801)
A two-stage visa: temporary (820) then permanent (801), applied for together with one combined fee.
~AUD $11,710 (primary applicant, from July 2026)
~17–24 months for the temporary stage; permanent stage assessed 2+ years after lodgement
- Genuine and continuing relationship (married or de facto)
- Evidence across financial, household, social and commitment dimensions
- Sponsor is an Australian citizen, PR, or eligible NZ citizen
- Proof of relationship
- Joint financial and household evidence
- Police clearances
- Health examinations
Digital Nomad 1 route ▾
No dedicated visa — remote work is a grey area typically handled under standard visitor rules.
Remote Work Under Visitor Visa (subclass 600)
Australia has no digital nomad visa. Working remotely for a genuinely foreign employer while visiting is generally tolerated under visitor status, but this is not an official, protected category.
AUD $250 (offshore) or $630 (onshore) for the Tourist stream
A few weeks
- Standard visitor visa eligibility
- Employment and income genuinely from outside Australia
- Passport
- Proof of funds
- Return travel evidence
Seasonal / Agricultural 1 route ▾
Australia's seasonal farm work scheme is currently closed to African applicants.
Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme
A guest-worker scheme for seasonal and longer-term agricultural work.
N/A for African applicants — not currently eligible
N/A
- Citizen of a participating Pacific Island country or Timor-Leste
Graduate / Post-Study Work 1 route ▾
For international students who complete an Australian qualification.
Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485)
An open work visa for recent graduates of Australian institutions, length depending on qualification level.
~AUD $5,750
A few months
- Recently completed a CRICOS-registered qualification
- Met the study requirement (usually 2 academic years in Australia)
- Under 50 years old
- Competent English
- Evidence of qualification completion
- English test results
- Passport
Student 1 route ▾
Australia remains a top study destination for African students.
Student Visa (subclass 500)
For enrolled study at a CRICOS-registered institution, with limited work rights during term.
~AUD $2,500, plus tuition and OSHC
Several weeks
- Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)
- Genuine Student requirement
- Overseas Student Health Cover
- Financial capacity of ~AUD $29,710/year for living costs
- CoE
- Financial evidence
- English test results
- Passport
Best career pathways right now
Not sure which of the six countries fits your profession best? Try the career planner →
Healthcare
Nursing, aged care and allied health remain chronically short-staffed as the population ages, and most roles sit on the Core Skills Occupation List.
Typical salary: AUD $65,000-$110,000
Usual visa route: Skills in Demand Visa (subclass 482)
Technology
Cybersecurity, software engineering and data roles are consistently on skilled occupation lists.
Typical salary: AUD $85,000-$140,000
Usual visa route: Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189)
Construction & Trades
A sustained construction boom keeps trades in high demand across most states, and several trades qualify for state/regional nomination.
Typical salary: AUD $70,000-$120,000
Usual visa route: Skilled Nominated / Regional Visas (subclass 190 / 491)
Education
Teacher shortages, especially in regional areas and STEM subjects, continue to drive demand.
Typical salary: AUD $75,000-$100,000
Usual visa route: Skills in Demand Visa (subclass 482)
Workplace culture & etiquette
Informal and direct
Australian workplaces are typically informal — first names, casual dress in many industries, and direct (but polite) communication.
"Tall poppy syndrome"
Overt boasting about achievements can be viewed negatively — understated confidence lands better than visible self-promotion.
Work-life balance is a genuine value
Leaving on time and taking full lunch breaks is normal and expected, not a sign of low commitment.
Egalitarian hierarchy
Managers are often addressed by first name and expected to be approachable — rigid hierarchy is less common than in many other markets.
Social side of work matters
Friday drinks, BBQs and sporting chat (especially cricket, AFL, rugby) are common ways colleagues bond.
Cost of living snapshot
| City | 1-bed rent | Groceries | Transport |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney Australia's largest job market and its most expensive city. | ~AUD $2,200–3,000/month | ~AUD $400–600/week | ~AUD $200–300/month |
| Melbourne A strong cultural and jobs hub, meaningfully cheaper than Sydney. | ~AUD $1,800–2,500/month | ~AUD $350–550/week | ~AUD $180–250/month |
| Perth The most affordable of the three, with a resources-driven economy. | ~AUD $1,500–2,000/month | ~AUD $350–500/week | ~AUD $150–200/month |
Neighbourhood guide: Sydney
Ratings only — we don't list or scrape live rentals. For actual listings, use Domain, the trusted platform for Australia.
Blacktown
One of Sydney's most diverse and affordable areas, with jobs nearby at Olympic Park and quick train access to the city.
Commute: ~40 min to CBD by train
Liverpool
A major hub for newly arrived migrant communities with affordable housing and everyday amenities.
Commute: ~45 min to CBD by train
Fairfield / Cabramatta
Deeply established migrant communities, affordable daily living, and excellent, diverse food options.
Commute: ~45-50 min to CBD by train
Mount Druitt
One of the most budget-friendly parts of greater Sydney, with a large shopping centre and nearby TAFE colleges.
Commute: ~50 min to CBD by train
Studying? Watch for rental scams
Australian universities run their own on-campus and affiliated accommodation portals — apply as early as your offer allows, since places near the CBD-based campuses go quickly. For share housing, always inspect (or have someone inspect) before transferring any bond money.
Trusted platforms to search instead of random social media listings:
- Your university's official accommodation service
- Flatmates.com.au
- realestate.com.au
- Domain
Your first 30 days
Get a local SIM card
Prepaid SIMs from Boost, Amaysim or Woolworths Mobile are available immediately at the airport or any supermarket.
Open a bank account
CBA and Westpac let you apply online before you even land. Open within 6 weeks of arrival — after that, stricter ID checks apply.
Apply for a Tax File Number (TFN)
Apply online via the ATO as soon as possible — it typically arrives by mail within 28 days, and most employers will let you start work while you wait.
Register for Medicare (if eligible)
Bring your passport, visa and a second ID to a Medicare service centre — your card usually arrives within 10 working days.
Set up myGov
This single login links your tax, Medicare and other government services together.
Find housing
Most share-house and rental listings run through realestate.com.au, Domain, or Flatmates.com.au — a strong rental reference or extra bond can help without local rental history.
Tourist & visiting visas
Kept deliberately separate from the work/study/family routes above — this is specifically for a holiday, family visit, or short trip.
Visitor Visa (subclass 600)
For tourism, family visits, or short business trips, typically granted for 3, 6, or occasionally 12 months.
AUD $250 (offshore application) or $630 (onshore)
Days to a few weeks
- Valid passport
- Genuine intention to visit temporarily
- Sufficient funds
- Health and character requirements
- Passport
- Bank statements
- Travel itinerary
- Invitation letter if visiting family (Sponsored Family stream)
Best places to visit
Sydney Opera House & Harbour Bridge
Australia's most iconic skyline, with BridgeClimb tours and harbour views.
Great Barrier Reef
The world's largest reef system — dive or snorkel among turtles, fish and coral.
Uluru (Ayers Rock)
A sacred sandstone monolith in the Red Centre, famous for changing colour at sunrise and sunset.
Kings Park and Botanic Garden, Perth
One of the world's largest inner-city parks, voted Australia's top attraction.
Kangaroo Island
See kangaroos, koalas and echidnas in the wild off the South Australian coast.
Australian visa fees, thresholds and program availability change frequently — figures above are indicative and current as of our last research pass. Always confirm details on the official Department of Home Affairs website before making decisions or payments.