Obtaining work in Australia can broaden your horizons, helping you develop the work experience necessary to participate in the global economy. Applicants with the necessary qualifications in eligible occupations can obtain a well-paying position within Australia, while others might choose to take an extended holiday to fund their travels around the country.
This article will discuss the different work visas available in Australia, the documentation necessary to support your application, and the application process for different visa options.
Understanding Australia Work Visas
Working in Australia allows talented workers to enhance their skills and visit beautiful locations. Some visa options will enable you to work in Australia on a temporary basis, while others offer a path to permanent residency or citizenship. The option you choose depends on your job offer, goals, and sponsorship.
Purpose and Benefits
Australian work visas are designed to bring global talent into the country, which offers benefits to the applicant, their employer, and Australia as a whole.
Unlike a visitor visa, a work visa enables you to take on paid employment while in Australia; it also does not have the same restrictions on work hours as a student visa.
While you get access to well-paying jobs with reputable employers, the Australian government helps to generate revenue and fill crucial positions in skilled occupations. Australian companies will also benefit from the skills and experience you bring to the position.
Eligibility Criteria
For most of the employment visa types, you must be employed in a nominated occupation, and you will work for the same employer for the duration of your stay in Australia. You will have to have a job offer and perform the specified work. The work you perform during your trip must not be above the minimum wage, and you must follow Australian law to maintain your visa status.
You also must meet all the typical requirements for immigration into Australia, including the health and character requirements.
Types of Work Visas
The Department of Home Affairs has introduced a variety of different options for workers, depending on their occupation, age, country of origin, and the length of their stay in Australia.
Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visas
This permanent visa enables applicants under the age of 45 to remain in Australia indefinitely. You must work in an eligible skilled occupation and be nominated by an approved company that will sponsor you during your stay.
Subclass 186
This option requires nomination; you can then live, work, and stay in the country indefinitely. You can also leave and re-enter Australia as many times as you like during the first five years of your visa, and you can bring your family with you.
To apply, you must have at least three years of work experience in a nominated occupation, complete a skills assessment, and show English language proficiency. You will also need to be nominated by your employer.
Subclass 482
Also called the Temporary Skill Shortage Visa, this provisional visa provides a pathway to permanent residency for workers who want to stay longer than 2 to 4 years. You can only work for the nominating entity and must have two years of relevant work experience and English proficiency.
Once you have completed your subclass 482 work visa, you can then apply for permanent residency if you choose.
Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)
If you are in an essential industry but are not sponsored by anyone, you can apply for the Skilled Independent Visa.
You cannot apply for this visa directly; instead, you will submit an Expression of Interest on SkillStream, the Australian government site for skilled workers. If the Department of Home Affairs believes you are a good fit, you will be invited to apply.
When you complete your Expression of Interest, your submission will be assessed using a points-based system. This considers things like your age, employment experience, qualifications, and English language proficiency.
This is a permanent visa, and you will be able to bring dependents with you. It also provides a pathway to Australian citizenship.
Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa (Subclass 482)
This option enables you to work for an Australian employer temporarily in for positions where organizations cannot find a suitable Australian applicant. There are several different options depending on the length of your stay and who you are working for.
The Short-Term Visa Stream allows you to stay for up to 2 years or four years if an International Trade Obligation applies. The Medium-Term Stream is valid for up to 4 years.
The Labour Agreement Stream is an agreement between an employer and the government, and it is valid for up to 4 years. Should you choose to relocate permanently, your employer can nominate you for an Employer Nomination Scheme visa.
These rely on Labour Market Testing, which means that the employer must prove that they tried and failed to recruit an Australian worker for the position. The company must advertise the position at least twice for at least 28 days in the four months before recruiting the overseas worker.
Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190)
This permanent visa requires that you be nominated by an Australian state or territory government. To start, you will submit an expression of interest on SkillSelect. You may then be contacted by a state or territory government based on your form submission, and they will then nominate you for the visa. You also must score 65 points or more on the points-based skill assessment, similar to the subclass 189 visa.
Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (Subclass 187)
For this option, you must be sponsored by employers in a designated regional area of Australia who cannot find a suitable employee locally. This option enables you to live, work, and study in Australia indefinitely, and you can also bring your loved ones along.
Global Talent Visa (Subclass 858)
For highly skilled individuals who demonstrate exceptional talent in sports, art, research, or science, they may be able to apply for the Global Talent Visa. They must demonstrate exceptional circumstances, such as being internationally recognized for their work. Additionally, applicants must by nominated by someone residing in Australia who is recognized as an authority in the field. This offers immediate permanent residency.
Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417 & 462)
Working holiday visas allow people between the ages of 18 and 30 to stay in Australia and obtain lawful employment for up to 12 months. When your first working holiday visa expires, you can apply for a second working holiday visa, whether that is the 417 or 462. It’s possible to apply for a third working holiday visa as well, for a total period of up to 3 years.
The subclass 417 working holiday visa does not require English fluency or a specific educational degree; you simply must hold a valid passport from one of the eligible countries. Young people using this working holiday visa may find jobs in food and beverage services, retail, or manual labor.
However, the working holiday visa 462 does require you to have an educational certificate and English proficiency.
Work Visa Application Process
To work in Australia, whether for an extended holiday or permanently, you must complete the proper documents, demonstrate you fulfill all visa qualifications and pay an application fee. For some categories, you will also have to be nominated or invited to apply.
Finding an Employer Sponsor
If you have a visa that requires sponsorship, you must receive a job offer from an eligible organization to participate. To do so, you can search for a list of approved sponsors for the Labour Agreement on the Department of Home Affairs website. You may also try reaching out to companies on popular job boards like LinkedIn or Seek. The DUC Employment Hub is another popular option for finding potential sponsors.
Skills Assessment
For skilled visas, you must undergo a skills assessment with the proper skill-assessing authorities for your particular occupation. These are trade organizations that will examine your resume, qualifications, certifications, and other metrics to identify why you have the necessary skills to complete the obligations of the given job.
You will contact them and request an assessment. Should you pass, they will provide you with a letter to include in your visa application.
Some visas are on a points-based system through SkillSelect, which will assign you a number out of 65 based on your work history, previous employment, certifications, and other metrics.
English Language Requirements
Save for the working holiday visa subclass 417; you need English proficiency. If you are not from an English-speaking country like the United States, United Kingdom, New Zealand, Canada, or the Republic of Ireland, you must have at least Functional or Competent English based on an approved test, such as the IELTS.
Health and Character Requirements
The government wants to ensure that you will not cost their taxpayers money while you are working in Australia, so they will request that you undergo a medical exam. You should have health insurance for the duration of your stay.
You will also need a valid Australian police certificate, which will prove that you do not pose a danger to the public.
Visa Application Fees
Visa fees differ based on the type of visa you are securing. They are as follows:
- ENS Visa: From AUD4,770.00
- Skilled Independent Visa: From AUD4,765.00
- Temporary Skill Shortage Visa: AUD1,495.00 for short-term or AUD3,115.00 for medium-term
- Skilled Nominated Visa: From AUD4,770.00
- Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme: From AUD4,770.00
- Global Talent Visa: From AUD4,840.00
- Working Holiday Visa: AUD650.00
Processing Times
Processing times for different visas are, on average:
- ENS Visa: 4 months
- Skilled Independent Visa: 18 months
- Temporary Skill Shortage Visa: 37 days
- Skilled Nominated Visa: 16 months
- Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme: 4 months
- Global Talent Visa: 9 months
- Working Holiday Visa: 1 day for 417 subclass, 47 days for 462 subclass
Common Reasons for Work Visa Refusals
Common reasons that your work visa may be denied include:
- Invalid passport
- Missing information
- Improperly submitted forms
- Misrepresentation of your credentials
- Insufficient funds
- Criminal history
- Failed medical exam
- Choosing the wrong visa category
- The sponsor withdrew their nomination
Tips for a Successful First Work Visa Application
To ensure you have the best possible chance of receiving your visa, consider the following steps.
- Work with a migration expert: An immigration lawyer can help you prepare your application and ensure it is right the first time.
- Network with potential employers: Developing a good relationship with a potential sponsor will benefit you immensely.
- Start early: Seek out employers well before, as the processing times can be very long.
- Build your career: You will have a better chance of being accepted with documented work experience.
- Fill out your application thoroughly: Double-check everything thoroughly.
- Improve your English language skills: If you are not a native English speaker, study hard for your IELTS exam.
Choose the right visa: Make sure you apply for the correct one based on your needs; a migration expert can help with this as well.