How to apply for an Australian work visa?

You can apply for an Australian work visa by creating an ImmiAccount through the official Australian Department of Home Affairs (DHA) website. You will be required to meet specific requirements, including providing documents such as a valid passport, demonstrating the necessary skills, meeting visa requirements, demonstrating English language proficiency, completing health and character checks, and undergoing a skills assessment, depending on your nominated occupation.
 

*Want to apply for an Australian work visa? Y-Axis is here to provide complete assistance!
 

Australia Work Visa from India

Australia offers several types of work visas, including both temporary and permanent options, which allow foreign workers to migrate, reside, and work legally in Australia. To apply for an Australian work visa from India, you must first check your eligibility, get a valid skills assessment, submit an EOI, and receive an invitation before applying.
 

The application process for most of the Australian visas is done through the official Australian Government Department of Home Affairs (DHA), and generally involves the following steps:
 

Step 1: Choose the right type of Australian visa

Australian work visas can be broadly classified into temporary and permanent work visas. Certain visas are also sponsored by the employer, allowing the visa holder to migrate to Australia with sponsorship.

Below is the list of different types of Australian work visas:
 

Temporary Work Visas:

• Skills in Demand (Subclass 482)
• Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)
• Skilled- Recognised Graduate Visa (Subclass 476)
• Skilled Regional (Provisional Visa (Subclass 489)

Permanent Work Visas:

• Skilled Employer-Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494)
• Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa (subclass 191)
• Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (Subclass 186)
• Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)
• Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)
   

Step 2: Check your eligibility

Check if you meet the eligibility criteria for the chosen Subclass visa, including age requirements, English language proficiency, skills assessment, and occupation listed on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL), along with health and character requirements.
 

Step 3: Gather and arrange all the required documents

The documents required for an Australian work visa vary depending on the type of visa you are applying for. However, the general list of Australian work visa requirements is as follows:

• An original and valid passport with at least 6 months of validity
• Recent passport-sized photos
• Proof of visa application fee payment
• Meeting the age requirements (for specific visa subclasses)
• English language proficiency test (IELTS or equivalent)
• Certificate of Sponsorship from a registered Australian employer
• Details of educational qualifications
• Proof of relevant skills and qualifications (as per your nominated occupation)
• Proof of work experience (if applicable)
• Sufficient financial funds to support your stay in Australia
• Proof of character and health assessments
• Other additional requirements, depending on the specific visa you have chosen
   

Step 4: Get a skills assessment

You must have your skills assessed by a registered authority for your nominated occupation, as skilled Australian visas require a positive skills assessment report.
 

Step 5: Submit an Expression of Interest

You will be required to submit an expression of interest through SkillSelect when applying for skilled visas, such as Subclass 189, 190, or 491.
 

Step 6: Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA)

You must receive an invitation to apply through SkillSelect before submitting your Australian work visa application. The submission of an EOI and an invitation is only required for skilled Australian visas and is not mandatory for employer-sponsored visas.
 

Step 7: Submit your visa application online

You can submit your work visa application online by creating an ImmiAccount through the official Australian Department of Home Affairs (DHA) website, during which you will be required to upload your documents.
 

Step 8: Complete the fee payment

Once you submit your application, you will need to pay the required visa fees. The application fees for various Australian work visas are mentioned in the table below:

Type of Visa	Fees (In AUD)
Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa (Subclass 400)	$430
Skills In Demand (Subclass 482)	$3210
Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)	$2300
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491)	$4910
Skilled Employer-Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 494)	$4910
Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa (subclass 191)	$505
Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (Subclass 186)	$4910
Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)	$4910
Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)	$4910
Skilled Regional visa (subclass 887)	$505

Step 9: Await a decision

You can then await a visa decision after submitting your application. The DHA will then assess your visa application and notify you accordingly. The Australian work permit processing time differs based on the visa you are applying for.

The table below has details of the different Australian work visas and the average processing time for each:

Type of Visa	Processing Time
Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa (Subclass 400)	10-20 days
Skills In Demand (Subclass 482)	10-13 months
Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)	1-3 months
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491)	15-28 months
Skilled Employer-Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 494)	7-12 months
Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa (subclass 191)	8-14 months
Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (Subclass 186)	12-18 months
Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)	8-12 months
Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)	19-26 months
Skilled Regional visa (subclass 887)	3-17 months

Step 10: Fly to Australia

Once your visa is approved, you will receive a visa grant letter that will allow you to reside and work in Australia.

*Are you looking for step-by-step assistance with Australian Immigration? Contact Y-Axis, the world's No. 1 overseas immigration consultancy, for end-to-end support!

 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the different types of Australian work visas available?

Australia offers both temporary and permanent work visa options for graduates, skilled professionals, and those on a working holiday. The different types of Australian work visas are:

Temporary work visas

• Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482)
• Training visa (subclass 407)
• Working Holiday visa (subclass 417)
• Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462)
• Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485)
• Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa (subclass 400)

Permanent work visas

• Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa (subclass 186)
• Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)
• Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)
• Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (provisional) visa (subclass 494)
• Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191)
• Distinguished Talent visa

2. How do I apply for an Australian work visa from India?

To apply for an Australian work visa from India, you must create an ImmiAccount, select the correct visa type, meet the requirements, and submit your application online.

You can follow the steps below to apply for an Australian work visa from India:

Step 1: Choose the visa type that suits your purpose

Step 2: Arrange the documents required for the visa

Step 3: Apply online via the official ImmiAccount

Step 4: Pay the application fee

Step 5: Await the visa decision
 

3. What are the Australia work visa requirements?

The eligibility requirements for an Australian work visa are as follows:

• An original passport (minimum validity of 6 months)
• Meet the minimum age requirements (specific visa types)
• Have a valid skills assessment
• Evidence of English language proficiency (IELTS)
• Sufficient funds to support your stay in Australia
• A valid sponsorship from a registered Australian employer (For employer-sponsored work visa)
• Positive skills assessment report (skilled visa)
• State or territory nomination (for Subclass 190 visa)
• Expression of Interest (EOI) and Invitation to Apply (ITA) (for Subclass 189 visa)

4. Which visa is best for working in Australia temporarily?

The visa that is best for temporary work in Australia depends on your purpose of visiting the country. Some of the most common temporary work visas available in Australia include the Subclass 482 visa, the Subclass 400 visa, the Subclass 417 visa, and the Subclass Temporary Work (International Relations) (subclass 403) visa.

• Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) visa for skilled workers
• Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) (subclass 400) visa for short-term or project-based contractual projects
• Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa for young individuals looking to work while taking a holiday
• Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) for skilled workers looking to reside and work in designated regional areas of Australia
• Temporary Work (International Relations) (subclass 403) visa for those who are temporarily working in Australia in activities that involve promoting cultural exchange or international relations between Australia and other countries.

5. What documents are required to apply for an Australian work visa?

The documents required to apply for an Australian work visa include:

• Valid passport
• Visa application form
• Copies of your latest passport-sized photographs
• Proof of identity (identity card or birth certificate)
• Proof of funds (bank statements)
• Proof of educational qualifications and skills (degree, diploma)
• Proof of English language proficiency (IELTS)
• Skills Assessment (specific visa types)
• Valid job offer or employment sponsorship (for employment-based work visas)
• Proof of work experience (payslips, reference letters, etc.)
• Medical certificate
• Criminal clearance certificate

6. How much does an Australian work visa cost?

The Australian work visa fees vary depending on the visa subclass you are applying for and range from AUD 403 to AUD 4,910. The table below has details of the different Australian work visa types along with their fees:

Type of Visa	Fees (In AUD)
Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa (Subclass 400)	$430
Skills In Demand (Subclass 482)	$3210
Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)	$2300
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491)	$4910
Skilled Employer-Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 494)	$4910
Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa (subclass 191)	$505
Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (Subclass 186)	$4910
Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)	$4910
Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)	$4910
Skilled Regional visa (subclass 887)	$505

 

7. How long does it take to process an Australian work visa application?

The Australian work visa processing time for Indians typically ranges from a few days to several months, depending on the type of visa being applied for. The table below has details of the different kinds of Australian work visas along with the average processing times for each:

Type of Visa	Processing Time
Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa (Subclass 400)	10-20 days
Skills In Demand (Subclass 482)	10-13 months
Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)	1-3 months
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491)	15-28 months
Skilled Employer-Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 494)	7-12 months
Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa (subclass 191)	8-14 months
Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (Subclass 186)	12-18 months
Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)	8-12 months
Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)	19-26 months
Skilled Regional visa (subclass 887)	3-17 months

 

8. Can I apply for an Australian work visa without a job offer in hand?

Yes, you can apply for an Australian work visa even without a job offer through points-based skilled migration visas. Australian work visas such as Skilled Independent visa (Subclass 189) and Skilled Nominated visa (Subclass 190), and Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491), allows you to apply for the visa without an employment offer, provided you fulfill other criteria such as having an occupation listed on the Skills Occupations List (SOL), score the required points, have a state or territory nomination, regional state nomination when applying for the Subclass 491 visa. A job offer is only needed if you are applying for a Skills in Demand visa (Subclass 482), Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186), or the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa (Subclass 494).
 

9. What is the Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) in Australia?

The Skilled Independent visa (Subclass 189) in Australia is a points-based visa for skilled migration. The Subclass 189 visa is a permanent residency visa for highly skilled workers seeking to work and permanently settle in Australia, without requiring a sponsorship or job offer from an Australian employer, family member, or state. With a Subclass 189 visa, you can access social services, education, and Medicare services. The 189 visa can also lead to citizenship, provided the residency requirements are met. To apply for a Subclass 189 visa, you must:

• Be under 45 years of age
• Score at least 65 in the points test
• Have an occupation that is listed on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL)

10. What is the Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190) in Australia?

Subclass 190 is a permanent visa for skilled workers in Australia who have been nominated by a state or territory government. The skilled nominated visa is points-based and allows qualifying applicants to permanently reside, study, and work in any region or area in Australia. With a Subclass 190 visa, you can sponsor eligible family members, access social security benefits, and apply for citizenship upon meeting the eligibility requirements. To apply for a Subclass 190 visa, you must:

• Have an occupation listed on the skilled occupation list (SOL)
• Skills assessment
• Receive an invitation to apply
• Score at least 65 points
• Have a nomination from a state or state government

11. How to submit an Expression of Interest?

You can follow the 3-step process given below to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI):

Step 1: Create an ImmiAccount

Arrange the required documents, including work experience, qualifications, proof of identity, etc.

Step 2: Fill out the Expression of Interest (EOI) form

Fill out the EOI form with your personal details, including education, work experience, skills assessment, language tests, etc.

Step 3: EOI submission

You can review your application to check if the information is updated and accurate, and then submit your Expression of Interest (EOI).
 

12. What is the points test for Australian skilled migration?

Applicants are required to undergo a points-based test when applying for Australian skilled migration visas. The points test assesses applicants based on factors such as age, work experience, educational qualification, and English language proficiency to evaluate their eligibility for a skilled Australian visa. Applicants must score at least 65 points to qualify for an EOI.
 

13. Can I include my family members in my Australian work visa application?

Yes, you can include your family members in your Australian work visa application if they fulfill the eligibility requirements and submit proof of relationship, health, and character. You can include your family members when you lodge the visa application for the first time. You must, however, fulfil specific requirements to include your family in your Australian work visa application:

• Eligible family members (spouse or dependent children) can apply
• The family members must complete health and character checks
• Submit proof of relationship (birth or marriage certificates)
• Sufficient funds to support your stay in Australia
• Employer sponsorship certificate (Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa)

14. Do I need to take an English language test for an Australian work visa?

Yes, you will be required to take an English language test for an Australian work visa if you are not a citizen of an English-speaking country. Most Australian work visas require English language proficiency, as demonstrated by the IELTS, TOEFL iBT, or PTE Academic tests. Candidates applying for a skilled migration visa must take an English language test to help them score more points in the points-based test.
 

15. What is a skills assessment, and why is it required for Australian visas?

A skills assessment is an evaluation of your skills, work experience, education, and qualifications to see if they align with the standards of your nominated occupation. A designated and verified skills assessing authority conducts the skills assessment to determine your qualifications and skills as per the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) to check if your experience is at the required skill level. Getting your skills assessed is compulsory when applying for Australian skilled migration visas, as it provides evidence that you possess the necessary skill set and qualifications required for your chosen field.
 

16. Can I convert my temporary work visa to permanent residency in Australia?

Yes, you can convert your temporary work visa to permanent residency in Australia, depending on the subclass of visa you hold and whether you meet the relevant eligibility criteria. Some of the most common visas that lead to Australian PR are as follows:

• Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482): A 482 visa holder may qualify for permanent residence if they fulfil specific criteria, such as working for their Australian employer for at least 2 out of 3 years. You must also have your employer sponsor you for PR through the Temporary Residence Transition stream.
• Skilled Regional visas: Temporary provisional visas such as the Subclass 491 visa lead to PR if you meet specific criteria, including holding the visa for at least 3 years.
• Skilled work visas: You can also apply for the skilled permanent visas, such as Subclass 189 or Subclass 190 visa pathways, provided you submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) and receive an ITA.

17. How do I find a sponsor for an Australian work visa?

Here are some tips that can help you find a sponsor for an Australian work visa:

• Look for employers by using keywords.

Search for employers who have previously sponsored visas by using keywords such as “visa sponsorship, 482 visa, sponsorship, DHA, or 494 visa”. This will help you filter job roles that require or include sponsorships.

• Conduct thorough research

Research and identify companies and organizations that have approved sponsors or are authorized to sponsor visas.

• Expand your network

Connect with industry experts and professionals via trusted platforms like LinkedIn, and participate in virtual networking events or workshops to expand your professional network.

• Focus on MNCs

Target MNCs in Australia as they are experienced and maintain a streamlined sponsorship process.

• Get in touch with Australian recruiters.

Contact recruiters in your field, occupation, or industry, who can connect you with sponsors.
 

18. What are the common reasons for Australian work visa refusals?

Some of the most common reasons for Australian work visa refusals include:

• Incorrect or incomplete application
• Inaccurate documentation
• Applying for the wrong visa category

19. Can international students in Australia apply for a work visa after graduation?

Yes, international students in Australia can apply for a work visa after graduation by applying via the Post-Study Work stream under the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485). The 485 visa allows qualifying graduates to reside and work in Australia for a certain period of time (2-4 years), depending on their qualifications. To be eligible for a Subclass 485 visa, you must have held an Australian student visa in the last six months, while also fulfilling other criteria, such as holding a degree from a registered Australian university, meeting health and character requirements, etc.  
 

20. How can Y-Axis help me with my Australian work visa application?

Y-Axis has over 25+ years of experience in providing visa and immigration assistance. Y-Axis maintains a track record of 1 million successful applications and has counselled over 10 million individuals. The expert immigration advisors and experts at Y-Axis can help you with your Australian work visa application by providing the following services:

• Free eligibility check through the Australia Immigration Points Calculator
• Expert guidance/counseling for Australia Immigration
• Coaching services for PTE & IELTS Coaching
• Complete guidance for an Australian PR visa
• Job search services to find related jobs in Australia
• Complete documentation and application filing assistance.