“Australia skilled visa” isn’t one application — it’s a decision between at least three distinct pathways with different sponsors, different tests, and very different timelines to permanent residency. Picking the wrong one wastes months. Here’s how the three main routes actually compare in 2026, and how to work out which one fits your situation.
The three main pathways
Subclass 482 — Skills in Demand visa (employer-sponsored, temporary)
The 482 is Australia’s main employer-sponsored temporary work visa, replacing the old Temporary Skill Shortage visa structure. It has three streams — Core Skills, Specialist Skills, and Labour Agreement — and requires a genuine job offer before you can apply at all (Department of Home Affairs, Skills in Demand visa).
- Occupation: must sit on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) relevant to your stream.
- Salary: must clear both the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) — AUD 76,515/year, rising to roughly AUD 79,499 from 1 July 2026 — and the genuine market salary rate for the role.
- Experience: typically at least two years of relevant work experience; some occupations require a formal skills assessment.
- English: competent English, generally IELTS 5.0 in each band or equivalent, though this varies by stream and occupation.
- Employer obligations: since 1 July 2025, employers must pass “genuine position testing” — proof they genuinely tried to fill the role with an Australian worker first, plus payment of the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy.
- Fee: the base visa application charge rose to AUD 4,015 per applicant from 1 July 2026 across all three streams, with an equal charge for an adult dependant and roughly AUD 1,005 per child. Applications lodged before that date are assessed under the earlier fee schedule regardless of when a decision is made.
- Length & PR: visa validity depends on the occupation and stream (commonly up to 4 years); time on a 482 can count toward eligibility for permanent employer-sponsored pathways later, but the 482 itself is temporary.
Subclass 189 — Skilled Independent visa (points-tested, permanent, no sponsor)
The 189 is the only major skilled pathway that needs no employer, state, or family sponsor — you qualify entirely on your own points score. It grants permanent residency directly (Department of Home Affairs, Skilled Independent visa (189)).
- Your occupation must be on the relevant Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List.
- You need a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority for your occupation.
- You submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect and are invited to apply only if your points score is competitive enough in that invitation round.
- Points test pass mark: 65 points minimum, but in practice invitation rounds for popular occupations regularly require notably higher scores — 65 is a floor, not a guarantee of invitation.
Subclass 190 — Skilled Nominated visa (points-tested, permanent, state-nominated)
Structurally similar to the 189, but you need nomination from an Australian state or territory government, which adds 5 points to your total and commits you to living in that state for a period after arrival (conditions vary by state).
- Easier to reach the pass mark than the 189 because of the automatic 5-point boost.
- Each state publishes its own priority occupation list and criteria — check the specific state’s migration site, since demand and rules differ significantly (e.g. Victoria vs Western Australia).
- Also grants permanent residency on grant.
Points test essentials (189 & 190 only — 482 is not points-tested)
Both the 189 and 190 use the same points test. Factors include:
- Age — maximum points typically for 25–32, declining afterward; applicants must be under 45 at the time of invitation.
- English language — competent English is the entry bar; superior English (equivalent to IELTS 8 in each band) scores the most points.
- Skilled employment — points for years of relevant work experience, both overseas and in Australia, with Australian experience scoring more heavily.
- Education — a relevant degree, doctorate, or trade qualification adds points.
- State nomination or family sponsorship — adds 5–15 points depending on the pathway.
Use the official points calculator on the Department of Home Affairs site before assuming you’ll clear the pass mark — third-party calculators are often outdated.
Which pathway fits you?
- Already have an Australian job offer? The 482 is usually fastest — no points test, and processing for the majority of applications runs around 61 days once submitted.
- No job offer, strong English, in-demand occupation, competitive age? The 189 gives permanent residency with no sponsor required, but invitation rounds are competitive.
- Points just short of a 189 invitation, or open to living in a specific state? The 190’s extra 5 points can be the difference — worth checking your target state’s current occupation list.
FAQ
Can a 482 visa lead to permanent residency? Not automatically — the 482 itself is temporary. Many 482 holders later transition to a permanent employer-sponsored visa or build enough points/experience for a 189 or 190, but this requires a separate application and eligibility check.
Do I need a skills assessment for every pathway? Almost always for the 189 and 190. For the 482, it depends on your specific occupation and stream — some are exempt, others require it.
What’s the realistic total cost beyond the visa fee? Budget for the skills assessment fee (varies by assessing body), English test fees, health checks, and — for the 482 — the employer’s SAF levy, which the employer (not you) is legally required to pay.
This is preparation guidance, not migration or legal advice — occupation lists, thresholds and fees change frequently, so confirm current details on homeaffairs.gov.au before applying, and consider a registered migration agent for complex cases. If you’re weighing Australia against other destinations, our easiest work visas comparison is a useful next read — or join the VisaMet waitlist to get help tracking your application.