Moving to Australia
Australia's skills-based immigration system rewards qualifications, work experience, and language ability through a competitive points system (SkillSelect). With a strong job market, high wages, and enviable lifestyle, Australia attracts thousands of skilled migrants each year through permanent and temporary pathways.
Find my best Australia visa- ✦SkillSelect points system with invitations-to-apply (EOI) model
- ✦Subclass 189 and 190 visas grant permanent residency directly
- ✦Strong demand for tech, healthcare, engineering, and trades workers
- ✦Working Holiday Maker visa for younger travellers from 40+ countries
Skilled Worker(5)
Skilled Independent (subclass 189)
SC 189
Australia's points-tested permanent residency visa with no state sponsorship or employer required.
Skilled Nominated (subclass 190)
SC 190
Points-tested permanent residency with state or territory nomination. Nomination adds 5 extra points to your score.
Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482)
TSS 482
Employer-sponsored temporary work visa for skilled workers in shortage occupations. Bridge to permanent residency.
Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491)
491
State/territory or family-sponsored regional skilled visa. Lower points threshold than the 189 independent stream — nominated by a state typically adds 15 points, making it accessible to candidates with CRS scores that wouldn't qualify federally. Leads to the 191 permanent residency after 3 years living and working regionally.
Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)
485
Post-study work rights for international graduates of Australian institutions. Two streams: Post-Vocational Education Work (18 months) and Post-Higher Education Work (2-4 years depending on degree level). Path to skilled migration.
Working Holiday(2)
Working Holiday Maker (subclass 417)
WHM 417
Allows young people from eligible countries to work and holiday in Australia for up to 1-3 years.
Work and Holiday Visa (Subclass 462)
462
Work and travel visa for nationals of partner countries (US, Argentina, Chile, Indonesia, India, Israel, Singapore, Vietnam, etc.) aged 18-30. Different from Subclass 417 (Working Holiday) which is for UK, EU, and Commonwealth countries.
Where to live
5 cities in Australia, ranked
Sydney
Australia's largest city. Strong tech (Atlassian, Canva, Afterpay). Beach and harbour built into daily life.
Melbourne
Cultural capital of Australia. Coffee and food scene strongest in the country. 10-20% cheaper than Sydney.
Brisbane
Queensland capital. Designated regional zone for the 491 visa (faster PR pathway). Subtropical, walkable river city, growing tech.
Perth
WA capital, mining and resources hub. Designated regional zone for the 491 visa. Mediterranean climate, isolated (5+ hours from Sydney).
Gold Coast
Queensland coastal city. Designated regional zone for the 491 visa. Strongest lifestyle play in Australia: surf, climate, walkable beach suburbs.
Real-time listings
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