Skilled and employer-sponsored visas

These visas are for workers whose skills Australia is seeking. Some are points-tested and either invited or nominated by a state or territory; others are sponsored by an employer; several are tied to regional Australia. Some are permanent and some are temporary or provisional, meaning a first visa that can lead to a later permanent one. The pages below describe what each visa is; whether you qualify, and for which occupation, is a question for a registered migration agent, not for this page.

General information, not immigration advice. This page explains what these Australian visas are. It is not migration or legal advice, it does not recommend a visa, and it does not tell you how to qualify or how to apply. For advice about your own situation, consult a registered migration agent or an Australian immigration lawyer. Visa rules and fees change; the official detail is on the Department of Home Affairs website.

Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) Permanent

A permanent visa. Its points-tested stream is for invited skilled workers not sponsored by an employer, state or family member; separate streams cover eligible New Zealand citizens and eligible Hong Kong and British National (Overseas) passport holders.
Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) Permanent

A points-tested visa for skilled workers nominated by a state or territory government.
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) Temporary, with a permanent pathway

A points-tested provisional visa for skilled workers nominated by a state or territory, or sponsored by an eligible relative, to live and work in regional Australia.
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494) Temporary, with a permanent pathway

A provisional visa for skilled workers sponsored by an employer in regional Australia.
Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186) Permanent

For skilled workers nominated by an Australian employer for a permanent position.
Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) Temporary

For an employer to sponsor a skilled worker to fill a position, on a temporary basis.
National Innovation visa (subclass 858) Permanent

For people with an internationally recognised record of exceptional achievement in an eligible field.

Visa application charges, income and asset thresholds, age limits, points and processing times change and are not listed here. Check the current figures on the Department of Home Affairs fees and charges and processing times pages (current as at 13 July 2026).

Source: the Department of Home Affairs visa list. Each visa links to its official page for the full detail.

Comparing practitioners for this kind of visa?

Every listing is drawn from an official public register, with the date it was checked.

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