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Oceania

Australia

Skill-stream points test, state nomination, and one of the world's most generous post-study work programs.

Permanent migration cap (2025)
185,000 places
Skilled stream
~70% of places
Maximum applicant age (most GSM)
44 years
PR → citizenship
4 years (1 as PR)

Why Australia?

Australia's permanent migration program is capped at ~185,000 places per year, with roughly two-thirds reserved for skilled migration. The General Skilled Migration (GSM) program — Subclass 189 (independent), 190 (state nominated) and 491 (regional) — is the primary route for skilled workers without an employer. Employer-sponsored (Subclass 482, 186) and student-to-PR pipelines via the Temporary Graduate (485) visa round out the system.

How the immigration system works

Administered by the Department of Home Affairs. Most economic visas are points-tested with a minimum of 65 points but a competitive cut-off typically 80–95 depending on occupation. SkillSelect manages the Expression of Interest pool. Each state and territory operates nomination lists for the 190 and 491 visas. New Zealand citizens, ANZSCO occupations, and English ability all influence outcomes.

Who Australia is best for

  • Skilled professionals under 45 with high-demand ANZSCO occupations
  • International students at Australian universities and TAFEs
  • Sponsored workers (TSS 482) with eligible employers
  • Working holiday makers from eligible countries
  • Significant Investor (Subclass 188) and Global Talent applicants

Visa pathways

7 pathways into Australia

Each pathway has its own eligibility, documents, processing time and cost. Tap any pathway to read its full deep-dive guide.

Real-world examples

If this sounds like you…

Indian civil engineer, age 30, 5 years' experience

Occupation on MLTSSL, IELTS 8/8/7/7 (Superior English = 20 points). Likely 90+ points with state nomination through NSW or Victoria.

Subclass 190 state nomination

Filipino registered nurse aiming to migrate

AHPRA registration + 2+ years' experience usually positions nurses well in 190/491 nomination lists.

Skills assessment → 190 / 491 nomination

British backpacker, age 28

UK passport holders qualify for Working Holiday (417) up to age 35.

Subclass 417 Working Holiday

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about Australia

What's the minimum points score for a 189 visa?

65 points is the floor to receive an EOI invitation, but cut-offs typically range from 80 to 95+ depending on occupation.

Is there an age limit?

Most points-tested skilled visas require you to be under 45 at the time of invitation.

How long until PR leads to citizenship?

4 years lawful residence in Australia, the last 12 months as a permanent resident, plus a citizenship test.

Can students work?

Yes — up to 48 hours per fortnight during term, unlimited during breaks (and unlimited in aged care and adult migrant English programs in some periods).

What is state nomination?

States and territories nominate skilled applicants in occupations they need, adding 5 (190) or 15 (491) points and unlocking access to invitation rounds.

What replaced the GTE for students?

From March 2024, the Genuine Student (GS) requirement replaced GTE, focusing on the link between the chosen course and the applicant's future plans.

Can I include partners and children?

Yes for all major visa categories — they're assessed under the same application.

Do I need a skills assessment for all skilled visas?

Yes — every GSM visa requires a positive skills assessment from the relevant authority (e.g. EA, ACS, VETASSESS, AHPRA).

Official government resources

Verify before you apply

Immigration rules change frequently. Always confirm the latest requirements on the official portal.

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