How to Get a Work Permit for Australia
Australia, as a Commonwealth country, offers several different types of visas for skilled workers. It’s possible that some of these visas will allow you and your family to settle there permanently or temporarily. As of 2024, Australia remains one of the top destinations for immigrants looking for better job opportunities and quality of life. In this comprehensive guide, I will walk you through everything you need to know about getting a work permit in Australia.
Employment Permits and Visas in Australia
Australia provides employment-based work permits and visas to various types of skilled professionals who want to migrate there for employment. The Australian government has designed an elaborate visa system to attract global talent and fill skill shortages in its economy.
Here is a list of some of the main work visa categories in Australia:
The Various Categories of Australian Work Visas
- Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa – This permanent residence visa allows employers to nominate highly skilled or talented workers to live and work in Australia.
- Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) visas – These visas allow regional Australian employers to sponsor qualified workers for permanent residency.
- Skilled Independent visa for workers invited by Australia and skilled New Zealand citizens – This lets you live and work anywhere in Australia permanently.
- Skilled Nominated visa – A permanent residency visa for skilled professionals nominated by an Australian state or territory government.
- Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa – Enables an Australian employer to sponsor a suitably skilled worker from overseas when an Australian is not available.
- Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa – For skilled people wanting to live and work in regional Australia.
- Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa – Allows highly specialized short-term work.
- Temporary Work (International Relations) visa – A temporary work visa to develop Australia’s international relations.
- Distinguished Talent visa for those with globally recognized high achievements in their field.
Some examples of occupations eligible for an Australian work visa are:
- Qualified professionals like engineers, teachers, nurses, accountants etc.
- Individuals taking part in certain cultural or social events
- Recognized experts in academia, business, culture, or sports
- Temporary workers coming for training
- Eligible business owners and investors
So in a nutshell, if you have skills or talents in demand in Australia or get a job offer from an Australian employer, you can apply for the appropriate work visa.
Requirements for an Australian Work Visa
The requirements you need to fulfill depend on your specific situation and the type of visa you are applying for.
Here are the key criteria for some of the main Australian work visa categories:
Visa Under the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) (Direct Entry Stream)
The ENS visa has the following needs:
- You must have qualifications to suit the nominated job (skills assessment required, some exemptions).
- Your occupation must be on the relevant skilled occupation list.
- An Australian employer must nominate you.
- You must meet health and character requirements.
- English language ability at Proficient level.
- Minimum 3 years relevant work experience.
- Generally under 45 years (some exceptions).
- Must read the Life in Australia booklet and sign Australian Values statement.
Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) Visa (Direct Entry Stream)
To qualify for an RSMS visa, you must:
- Get nominated by a regional Australian employer
- Be under 45 years of age
- Nominated in an eligible skilled occupation
- Have competent English
- Have 3 years related work experience
- Possess suitable skills for the job (skills assessment needed, some exemptions)
- Sign a two year work contract with the sponsoring regional employer
- Meet health and character requirements
- Read and sign the Australian Values Statement
Skilled Independent Visa
For skilled workers invited by Australia, you generally need:
- Get an invitation from an Australian state/territory government agency
- Be under 45 years old
- Nominated in an eligible skilled occupation
- Have suitable skills (skills assessment required, some exemptions)
- Get 65+ points on Australia’s points-based immigration system
- Have competent English
- Meet health and character requirements
- Read and sign the Australian Values Statement
Cost of an Australian Work Visa
The visa application fees are:
- A$4,045 (US$2,955) – For Employer Nomination Scheme and Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme visas
- A$1,265 to A$2,645 (US$925 to US$1,925) – For Temporary Skill Shortage visa, depending on stream
- A$360 (US$265) – Skilled Regional visa (Provisional pathway)
- A$310 (US$225) – Standard fee for temporary work visas
- A$4,110 (US$3,000) – Distinguished Talent visa
So the costs range from a few hundred dollars for short-term temporary visas to around $3000-4000 for permanent skilled visas.
Application Process for an Australian Work Visa
Most visa applications can be submitted online through the ImmiAccount system on the Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs website.
If you need a formal invitation before you can apply, you can submit an expression of interest (EOI) through SkillSelect and get invited based on your qualifications.
The typical documentation you need includes:
- Birth certificate
- Educational qualifications & skills assessment
- Medical examination
- Police clearance certificates
- Evidence of work experience
- English language test results
- Copy of passport
You also need to sign the Australian values statement.
The processing time varies from a few weeks for short-term visas to many months for permanent skilled visas.
Types of Jobs & Salaries in Australia
Some of the top occupations with good job opportunities in Australia are:
Healthcare
- Doctors – Average salary around AU$142,000 per year
- Nurses – Average salary AU$75,000 per year
- Dentists – Average salary around AU$115,000 per year
Engineering & Construction
- Civil Engineers – Average salary around AU$83,000 per year
- Electrical Engineers – Average salary around AU$98,000 per year
- Construction Managers – Average salary AU$112,000 per year
Information Technology
- Software Engineers – Average salary AU$85,000 per year
- ICT Business Analysts – Average salary AU$90,000 per year
Education
- School Teachers – Average salary AU$80,000 per year
- University Lecturers – Average salary around AU$100,000 per year
Salaries can vary based on your specific skills, experience level, location in Australia, and employer. But overall the incomes are very good compared to most countries.
Benefits of Working in Australia
Here are some of the main advantages of living and working in Australia on a temporary or permanent basis:
1. High Wages
Wages in Australia are among the highest globally. Even minimum wage jobs pay very well compared to other developed economies.
2. Excellent Quality of Life
Australia offers an enviable lifestyle with scenic natural beauty, vibrant cities, good infrastructure, healthcare, low crime rates and political stability.
3. In-Demand Skills
With growing labor shortages, Australia needs skilled migrants in healthcare, engineering, IT, construction, education and many other fields.
4. Pathway to Permanent Residency
Some temporary work visas like skilled regional visas can lead to permanent residency and Australian citizenship later.
5. Multicultural Society
Modern Australia has an open and welcoming attitude towards immigrants. Over 30% of the population are first-generation migrants.
So if you have in-demand professional skills, Australia offers exceptional career and settlement prospects. The country continues to attract talent through its merit-based immigration system.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here I’ve answered some common questions on Australian work permits:
Q1. How long is an Australian work permit valid for?
It depends on the visa type – skilled and employer-sponsored visas are often valid for up to 4 years initially. Temporary work visas range from a few months to a maximum of 4 years validity. Some visas can be extended or lead to permanent residence.
Q2. Can I bring my family members too?
Yes, skilled work visas generally allow you to migrate with your spouse/partner and dependent children below 18 years. Some temporary visas may restrict family members.
Q3. Do I need a job offer to apply for an Australian working visa?
Most skilled and permanent visas require employer sponsorship or state/territory nomination. But a few visas like the Skilled Independent visa don’t need a job