Navigating the many Australian work visas is no easy feat, particularly if you aren't sure which options you qualify for - so which are the most popular?

Regardless of whether you’re a backpacker, a builder or a barrister, if you want to be legally employed and earn a wage during your time here, then Australian work visas are a must. The only question is, which one is right for you?

One of the most popular Australian work visas and pathways into experiencing day to day life in the Land Down Under, the Working Holiday visa is an uncomplicated, straightforward visa option for young people aged between eighteen and thirty from eligible countries. However, the process gets slightly more complex for those outside of this age bracket. 

For the sake of streamlining the plethora of information out there, let’s focus on your options for Australian work visas as a skilled migrant, and which of these best suit your background and future goals. 

Four Australian Work Visa Pathways For Skilled Migrants 

Like the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand and Singapore, Australia too uses a points-based immigration system. Designed to be a way of ranking or prioritising applicants for jobs based on their characteristics, such as education, language skills and work experience, if you’re able to meet certain criteria, you can expect the process to be a much more straightforward experience. 

In line with many other westernised nations, Australia has both chronic and pandemic induced skills shortages, which is placing pressure on the local labour market. Unable to fill these vacancies from existing citizens, Australia is opening the door to skilled migrants willing to travel to the Land Down Under and make a life for themselves and their family, providing that they are prepared to deploy their existing skill set or qualification. 

While there are many Australian work visas that are designed to match a wide range of backgrounds and plans for the future, applications from skilled migrants will often fall under one of the following four categories. 

189 Visa - The 189 Visa is a points-tested permanent visa for skilled workers who are not sponsored by an Australian employer, family member or nominated by a state or territory. Applicants must obtain a minimum of 65 points on the point assessment to be eligible to apply for the Skilled Independent visa (Subclass 189). For applicants aged under 45, this visa lets invited workers with skills that we need to live and work permanently anywhere in Australia. 

190 Visa - Similar to the 189 visa, this pathway is also a points-tested permanent visa for skilled workers who are nominated by an Australian State or Territory government. Applicants must obtain a minimum of 65 points on a points assessment to be eligible to apply for a Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190), but must be nominated by a participating State or Territory government in Australia. 

491 Visa - Recently implemented as a replacement for the retired 489 visa, the Skilled Regional Visa is designed to encourage skilled workers to live and work in specified regional parts of Australia for up to five years. Applicants must be sponsored by an Australian relative who is living in a designated area, or by a State or Territory government, but does not provide a pathway to permanent residency on its own. 

191 Visa - The subclass 191 skilled regional visa will be open to new applications in November 2022, and will allow Subclass 494 and 491 visa holders to transition to permanent residency. While applicants don't need a sponsor or nominator, you must have lived for at least three years in a designated regional area, and have had a taxable income at or above a specific income threshold for at least three years while holding your eligible visa​. 

Given the complexities involved with navigating Australian work visas, imagine a service that helps you take care of the whole process of taking the plunge to live and work overseas? From deciding where to live, securing employment, and helping you to navigate the relevant migration approvals, at Allied Health Jobs Australia, these are the core of what we do best. 

Meet The Experts On Allied Health Jobs Australia 

Imagine a service that helps you take care of the whole process of taking the plunge to live and work overseas. From deciding where to live, securing employment, and helping you to navigate the relevant migration approvals, at Allied Health Jobs Australia, these are the core of what we do best. 

Unlike agents who only help with the migration process, or recruiters who only take care of job placement, AHJA has consciously niched down into allied health as our area of expertise. Fundamentally, becoming an AHJA client doesn’t mean that the services stop once your visas are approved. For people who have made it to the migration application process, our 100% success rate means that we’re just as invested in your journey as you are.

As a qualified allied health care professional, you’re in demand - and Australia wants you. If you’ve ever found yourself daydreaming about what a future in the Land Down Under could look like for you, get in touch with us today for a free, no obligation chat to explore your options.