Australia offers work permits and employment-based visas for different types of expert workers moving to Australia for job-related purposes. Some of the work visas for skilled professionals include the following list.

Types of Work Permits for Australia

1. Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa – allows skilled workers nominated by their employer to live and work in the country permanently.
2. Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) visa – allows skilled workers nominated by their employer in regional Australia to live and work in the country permanently.
3. Skilled independent visa – for invited workers and New Zealand citizens with skills Australia needs to live and work permanently anywhere in Australia
4. Skilled Nominated visa – lets nominated skilled workers live and work in Australia as permanent residents.
5. Temporary Skill Shortage visa – temporary visa that enables an employer to sponsor a suitable skilled worker when an Australian is not available
6. Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa – temporary visa for skilled workers who want to live and work in regional Australia.
7. Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa – temporary visa that lets you do short-term, highly-specialized work in the country.
8. Temporary Work (International Relations) visa – temporary visa to work in particular circumstances that improve Australia’s international relations
9. Distinguished Talent visa (subclass 858 for applying within Australia or 124 for applying outside of Australia) – permanent visa for people who have an internationally recognized record of outstanding achievement in a profession, sport, the arts, or academia and research.

In addition to these visas, Australia also has a Business Talent (Permanent) visa, which is specifically for establishing or developing a new or existing business in Australia. Read more about this type of visa in the Self-Employment Visas section below.

Work visas exist for the following professions:

1. skilled workers
2. people participating in specific activities
3. highly specialized workers
4. trainees, short-term
5. experienced businesspeople
6. investors

If you are unsure which visa is the most suitable for you, or if you don’t know how to proceed with your application for an Australian visa, contact our immigration professionals today. They will guide you on all the steps you need to take to successfully secure your visa.

Australian Work Visa Requirements

The requirements for depend on your circumstances and the type of visa you apply for.

The different requirements per category are as follows:

Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa (Direct Entry Stream)

For the ENS Visa, you must:

1. have the skills necessary for the job (skills assessment will be required, with some exemptions).
2. be on the relevant list of eligible skilled occupations.
3. be nominated by an Australian employer.
4. meet health (learn more about Australia’s medical exam below) and character requirements.
5. have at least Competent English.
6. have at least three years of relevant work experience.
7. be under 45 years of age (with some exemptions).
8. read or have been explained the Life in Australia booklet, and sign the Australian Values Statement. 

Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) Visa (Direct Entry Stream)

For the RSMS Visa you must:

1. be nominated by an approved Australian employer for a job in regional Australia.
2. be under 45 years of age.
3. be on the relevant list of eligible skilled occupations.
4. have at least Competent English.
5. have at least three years of relevant work experience.
6. have the skills necessary for the job (skills assessment will be required, with some exemptions).
7. agree to remain employed with your nominating employer in regional Australia for a minimum of 2 years.
8. meet health and character requirements.
9. read or have been explained the Life in Australia booklet, and sign the Australian Values Statement.

Skilled Independent Visa 

For invited workers, who must:

1. be nominated by an Australian state or territory government agency and invited to apply by submitting an expression of interest (EOI).
2. be under 45 years of age.
3. be on the relevant list of eligible skilled occupations.
4. have the skills necessary for the job (skills assessment will be required, with some exemptions).
5. satisfy points test with 65 points or more (learn more about Australia’s immigration point system below).
6. have at least Competent English.
7. meet health and character requirements.
8.  read or have been explained the Life in Australia booklet, and sign the Australian Values Statement.