The complete guide to Australian immigration. Australia selects on profile — points, salary, degree, youth — and applies the same procedure to all nationalities.
5
Visas covered
~5 months
Visa 189 (median)
Jul. 2026
Updated
Free · Results in 3 minutes
Overview
Australia — unapologetic merit-based selection.
The Australian system, run by the Department of Home Affairs, selects on objective criteria: points score, salary, degree, or age. Nationality plays no role in the procedure.
65 pts
Minimum on the test (189)
Home Affairs
Federal administration
All
Nationalities — single procedure
Watch the 2026 figures: visa fees rose sharply on July 1 (the student visa is now the most expensive in the world), and salary thresholds are indexed every year. On the upside, the Working Holiday remains one of the most accessible in the world — no draw, and no quota for many countries — and the skilled routes lead to genuine permanent residence.
Which visa for your situation in Australia?
Free assessment · Results in 3 minutes · No commitment
How to enter?
Three main entry doors.
Depending on your profile, the selection logic is not the same.
Profile-based selection
The 189 visa (permanent residence) ranks candidates by score: age, English, experience, degrees. 65 points is the legal minimum — in practice, invitations start at 85–95+. No employer or sponsorship needed.
Employer sponsorship
The Skills in Demand (482) rests on a nomination by an approved employer, at a salary of at least AUD 79,499. One year of experience is enough, and permanent residence opens after 2 years (visa 186).
Studies and youth
Student visa (500), post-study (485), and Working Holiday (417, ages 18–30 or 35 depending on the country): temporary routes that build the Australian experience valued by the permanent routes.
Good to know: Australia permanently closed its entrepreneur/investor program (BIIP) in July 2024 — there is no longer a settlement route through investment or self-employment.
Available visas and permits
The main visas we support.
Click a permit to see the requirements, required documents, timelines, and practical tips. Each of these visas comes with full guidance in your nomadpass space.
189
Skilled Independent (189) — Skilled worker
Points-based permanent residence · no employer
All nationalitiesVery selective
›
Timeline
EOI: depends on score · then ~5 months (median, May 2026)
Cost
AUD 6,135 (non-refundable)
Status obtained
Immediate permanent residence
Selection
65 pts minimum — actual invitations at 85–95+
Under 45, occupation on the MLTSSL list, skills assessment, and Competent English at minimum. Superior English earns +20 points — often decisive.
State nomination (visa 190, +5 pts) or the regional route (491, +15 pts) are alternatives when your score falls short.
482
Skills in Demand (482) — Employer-sponsored permit
Sponsored temporary visa · 3 streams depending on salary
All nationalitiesEmployer required
›
Timeline
Days to weeks (Specialist) · 1–4 months (Core Skills)
The employer must be an approved sponsor and pay at least the stream threshold AND the market rate for the position — base salary only.
2024 reform: one year of experience is enough, and 180 days to change sponsor if you leave.
500
Student visa (500) — Student
Full-time studies · CRICOS institution
All nationalitiesDemanding
›
Timeline
~4 to 8 weeks (higher education)
Cost
AUD 2,500 — the most expensive in the world (July 1, 2026)
Required funds
AUD 29,710 (12 months of living expenses) + tuition + travel
Work allowed
48 hrs per fortnight during term
The Genuine Student requirement and the financial proof (stable, traceable funds) account for most refusals — and the fees are not refunded.
After graduation: the 485 visa opens 2 to 3 years of unrestricted work.
485
Temporary Graduate (485) — Post-study
Working after an Australian degree
All nationalitiesAustralian degree required
›
Timeline
Weeks to months (applied for from within Australia)
Cost
AUD 5,750 (+150% in 18 months)
Duration
2 years (bachelor's/master's) · 3 years (research/PhD)
Requirements
Under 35 · IELTS 6.5 · 6-month window
Two fee increases in 18 months and shorter durations since 2024: check the current rules, not older guides.
Experience gained on the 485 feeds directly into the 189/190 visas toward permanent residence.
PVT
Working Holiday (417)
12-month working holiday · ages 18–30 or 35 depending on the country
Per bilateral agreementAccessible
›
Timeline
Often a few days to a few weeks
Cost
AUD 840 (first application) · AUD 5,000 in funds
Age / duration
Ages 18–30/35 depending on the country · 12 months, extendable twice
Type
Open permit — 6 months max per employer
No draw (unlike Canada); quota depends on your country's agreement — but since July 2026, age is assessed strictly on the day you file.
88 days of specified work in a regional area open the 2nd year; 6 months open the 3rd.
This list presents the main permits, which cover the vast majority of relocation situations. It is not exhaustive: other specific routes exist (190/491 visas by state nomination, the invitation-only National Innovation Visa) with the country's official authorities.
Not sure which permit to choose?
Our assessment identifies the right visa in 3 minutes
Competent authorities
The official bodies for your procedure.
Australian immigration is federal and almost entirely online.
The expression-of-interest (EOI) platform for points-based visas (189, 190, 491): profile, score, invitation rounds.
Skills assessment bodies
Each occupation has its approved assessor (Engineers Australia, ACS for IT, VETASSESS...) — a positive assessment is a prerequisite for the skilled routes.
Regulatory news
Recent changes to Australia's immigration rules.
Jul 2026
Australia — Annual indexation on July 1: student visa at AUD 2,500, Temporary Graduate (485) at AUD 5,750, Working Holiday (417) at AUD 840.
Update
By project
Your situation, your visa.
Select your profile to access the detailed guides.
5 visas and permits are covered for Australia, including Skilled Independent (189) — Skilled worker · Skills in Demand (482) — Employer-sponsored work visa · Student visa (500). The free assessment identifies the one that fits your situation in 3 minutes.
How long does it take to get a visa for Australia?
From 3 days to about 7 months depending on the visa. For example, Skilled Independent (189) — Skilled worker: EOI: variable (invitation not guaranteed) · then ~5 months (median) to 12 months (90%).
How much does a visa for Australia cost?
Official fees depend on the visa. For example, Skilled Independent (189) — Skilled worker: AUD $6,135 (main applicant).
Is the information on Australia up to date?
Yes: every sheet cites its official sources (Home Affairs — Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189), Home Affairs — Points table (subclass 189), Home Affairs — SkillSelect) and carries a verification date. Last verified: 2026-10-06.
