Key takeaways
- Eight main Australia work visa pathways exist in 2026; the Skills in Demand (482) and Employer Nomination Scheme (186) are the primary employer-sponsored routes.
- Base fees for most skilled visas rose to AUD 4,770 on 1 July 2026; the Work and Holiday (462) remains AUD 840.
- Trade workers must complete a skills assessment (TRA or VETASSESS) before lodging any skilled visa application.
- All applications are lodged online via ImmiAccount; paper applications are no longer accepted.
- Processing times range from 1 month (462) to 12+ months (186 Direct Entry) — plan accordingly.
Australia work visa 2026: quick answer
As of July 2026, the main Australia work visa pathways are the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482, AUD 4,770 base fee), Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186, AUD 4,770), General Skilled Migration visas (subclasses 189/190/491, AUD 4,770), and the Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462, AUD 840) — the only working-holiday option for Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani, Nepali and Sri Lankan passport holders. All applications are lodged online via ImmiAccount; trade occupations require a skills assessment (AUD 1,000–1,500 via TRA or VETASSESS), and employer-sponsored visas add a Skilling Australians Fund levy of AUD 3,000–5,000 per year paid by the sponsor.
What are the main Australia work visa types in 2026?
Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482)
The subclass 482 replaced the old TSS visa in late 2024 and is now the primary temporary employer-sponsored pathway. It has three streams: Specialist Skills (for occupations earning above AUD 135,000), Core Skills (for occupations on the Core Skills Occupation List), and Essential Skills (for lower-paid essential roles with a sectoral agreement). Most trade occupations — electrician, welder, plumber, carpenter, HVAC technician, tiles/ceramic setter — fall under the Core Skills stream. The visa allows a stay of up to 4 years with a pathway to permanent residence via the Temporary Residence Transition stream of subclass 186 after 2–3 years. The base application charge from 1 July 2026 is AUD 4,770 for the primary applicant.
Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186)
Subclass 186 grants permanent residence directly. It has two main streams: Direct Entry (for applicants with a positive skills assessment and at least 3 years relevant work experience) and Temporary Residence Transition (for 482 visa holders who have worked for their nominating employer for 2–3 years). A third stream, Labour Agreement, applies to niche sectors. From 1 July 2026, a lower visa application charge applies for eligible citizens of Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste. The standard base fee remains AUD 4,770. The employer must hold Standard Business Sponsorship, pass labour market testing, pay the nomination fee (AUD 540), and the Skilling Australians Fund levy.
General Skilled Migration (subclasses 189, 190, 491)
These are points-tested permanent visas that do not require an employer sponsor. Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent) is for applicants who meet the points threshold (currently 65 points) without state nomination. Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated) requires nomination by an Australian state or territory government, adding 5 points. Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional) requires nomination by a state/territory or sponsorship by an eligible relative in a designated regional area, adding 15 points. All three share the same base fee of AUD 4,770 from 1 July 2026. Trade workers must obtain a skills assessment from Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) or VETASSESS before lodging an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect.
Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462)
This is the only working-holiday option for passport holders from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka. The subclass 417 Working Holiday visa is NOT available to these nationalities. Subclass 462 has an annual cap per country, requires a minimum education level (usually a tertiary qualification or two years of undergraduate study), functional English (IELTS 4.5 overall or equivalent), and a letter of support from the home government (for some countries). The 2026 fee is AUD 840 payable online. It grants 12 months work rights with a single employer for up to 6 months, and the option to apply for a second or third year by completing specified work in regional Australia.
Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485)
Subclass 485 is for recent graduates of Australian institutions — not a primary work visa for overseas applicants. It has two streams: Graduate Work (18 months, requires skills assessment for a trade occupation) and Post-Study Work (2–4 years depending on qualification level and study location). The base fee is AUD 4,770 from 1 July 2026. If you are already in Australia on a student visa, this is your bridge to skilled work experience.
How much does each Australia work visa cost in 2026?
Visa fees are indexed annually on 1 July. The figures below are the official base application charges for the primary applicant as of July 2026, sourced from the Department of Home Affairs visa pricing page. Always confirm the current fee at time of application.
| Visa subclass | Base fee (primary) | Partner | Child (each) | Key additional costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 482 Skills in Demand | AUD 4,770 | AUD 2,385 | AUD 1,190 | Skills assessment (AUD 1,000–1,500), English test (~AUD 350), health exams (~AUD 300–500), police certificates |
| 186 Employer Nomination Scheme | AUD 4,770 | AUD 2,385 | AUD 1,190 | Skills assessment, English test, health exams, police certificates; employer pays SAF levy AUD 3,000–5,000/yr + nomination fee AUD 540 |
| 189 Skilled Independent | AUD 4,770 | AUD 2,385 | AUD 1,190 | Skills assessment, English test, health exams, police certificates, SkillSelect EOI (free) |
| 190 Skilled Nominated | AUD 4,770 | AUD 2,385 | AUD 1,190 | Skills assessment, English test, health exams, police certificates, state nomination fee (varies, some free) |
| 491 Skilled Work Regional | AUD 4,770 | AUD 2,385 | AUD 1,190 | Skills assessment, English test, health exams, police certificates, state/regional nomination fee |
| 462 Work and Holiday | AUD 840 | N/A | N/A | English test (if required), health exams, police certificates, government support letter (some countries) |
| 417 Working Holiday | AUD 650 + 1.4% surcharge | N/A | N/A | Health exams, police certificates (not available to BD, IN, PK, NP, LK passport holders) |
| 485 Temporary Graduate | AUD 4,770 | AUD 2,385 | AUD 1,190 | Skills assessment (Graduate Work stream), English test, health exams, police certificates |
Eligibility criteria for South Asian applicants
Applicants from Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka face specific requirements. For employer-sponsored visas (482, 186), the occupation must be on the relevant skilled occupation list and the employer must be an approved sponsor. English language requirements vary: subclass 482 Core Skills stream requires IELTS 5.0 overall (no band below 4.5) or equivalent; subclass 186 Direct Entry requires IELTS 6.0 overall (no band below 5.0). For General Skilled Migration, a minimum of IELTS 7.0 in each band (or equivalent PTE/TOEFL) is typically needed to claim maximum points. Skills assessments for trades are mandatory and must be done through Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) or VETASSESS — the process includes a documentary review, a technical interview, and sometimes a practical assessment. Health examinations must be completed with a panel physician approved by the Department of Home Affairs; police certificates are required from every country lived in for 12 months or more in the last 10 years.
Step-by-step application process via ImmiAccount
- Create an ImmiAccount on the Department of Home Affairs portal using a valid email address.
- Gather documents: passport, birth certificate, marriage certificate (if applicable), qualifications, employment references, English test results, skills assessment outcome, police certificates, and health exam referral (HAP ID).
- Complete the online form for the chosen visa subclass. Answer all questions truthfully; inconsistent answers are a common refusal reason.
- Upload supporting documents in the required formats (PDF, JPG, PNG). Keep file sizes under 5 MB each.
- Pay the visa application charge by credit/debit card or BPAY. The fee is non-refundable even if the visa is refused.
- Submit the application and note the Transaction Reference Number (TRN). You will receive an acknowledgement letter with next steps.
- Attend biometrics appointment (if requested) at an Australian Visa Application Centre (AVAC) in your country.
- Wait for a decision. Processing times vary: 482 Core Skills ~ 2–4 months; 186 Direct Entry ~ 6–10 months; GSM visas ~ 8–12 months. You can check current global processing times on the Department's website.
Skills assessment for trade occupations
Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) assesses most construction, engineering, automotive and electrical trades. The typical pathway for offshore applicants is the Offshore Technical Skills Record (OTSR): you compile a portfolio of evidence (employer references, photos, videos, qualifications) and undergo a technical interview with a TRA-approved assessor in your home country. Costs range from AUD 1,000 to AUD 1,500 depending on the occupation and assessment body. VETASSESS handles a broader range of professional and trade occupations and follows a similar documentary review plus interview model. A positive skills assessment is valid for 3 years for visa purposes. Start the assessment early — it can take 2–4 months — because you cannot lodge the visa without it.
Processing times as of October 2026
| Visa subclass | 75% of applications processed within | 90% of applications processed within |
|---|---|---|
| 482 Skills in Demand (Core Skills) | 3 months | 5 months |
| 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (Direct Entry) | 8 months | 12 months |
| 189 Skilled Independent | 9 months | 14 months |
| 190 Skilled Nominated | 7 months | 11 months |
| 491 Skilled Work Regional | 7 months | 11 months |
| 462 Work and Holiday | 1 month | 2 months |
| 485 Temporary Graduate | 4 months | 6 months |
Times are indicative and can change monthly. Complex cases (e.g., health or character issues) take longer.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using an unregistered migration agent — always verify their MARA registration number.
- Submitting expired English test results (valid for 3 years for visa purposes).
- Failing to declare previous visa refusals or cancellations for any country.
- Not providing a complete employment history (gaps over 3 months need explanation).
- Uploading low-quality scans that case officers cannot read.
- Assuming a job offer alone guarantees a visa — the employer must be an approved sponsor and the occupation must be on the relevant list.
Key takeaways
- Eight main Australia work visa pathways exist in 2026; the Skills in Demand (482) and Employer Nomination Scheme (186) are the primary employer-sponsored routes.
- Base fees for most skilled visas rose to AUD 4,770 on 1 July 2026; the Work and Holiday (462) remains AUD 840.
- Trade workers must complete a skills assessment (TRA or VETASSESS) before lodging any skilled visa application.
- All applications are lodged online via ImmiAccount; paper applications are no longer accepted.
- Processing times range from 1 month (462) to 12+ months (186 Direct Entry) — plan accordingly.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I apply for an Australia work visa without a job offer?
- Yes. General Skilled Migration visas (189, 190, 491) do not require a job offer, but you must meet the points test and have a positive skills assessment.
- Is the subclass 417 Working Holiday visa available for Bangladeshi passport holders?
- No. Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani, Nepali and Sri Lankan passport holders are only eligible for subclass 462 Work and Holiday visa.
- How long does a skills assessment take?
- Typically 2–4 months from lodgement to outcome, depending on the assessing authority and completeness of your evidence.
- What is the Skilling Australians Fund levy?
- A levy paid by the employer (not the visa applicant) for employer-sponsored visas: AUD 3,000 per year for small businesses, AUD 5,000 per year for large businesses.
- Can I include my family in my Australia work visa application?
- Yes. Most skilled visas allow you to include your partner and dependent children; additional fees apply per person (see cost table).
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply for an Australia work visa without a job offer?
Yes. General Skilled Migration visas (189, 190, 491) do not require a job offer, but you must meet the points test and have a positive skills assessment.
Is the subclass 417 Working Holiday visa available for Bangladeshi passport holders?
No. Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani, Nepali and Sri Lankan passport holders are only eligible for subclass 462 Work and Holiday visa.
How long does a skills assessment take?
Typically 2–4 months from lodgement to outcome, depending on the assessing authority and completeness of your evidence.
What is the Skilling Australians Fund levy?
A levy paid by the employer (not the visa applicant) for employer-sponsored visas: AUD 3,000 per year for small businesses, AUD 5,000 per year for large businesses.
Can I include my family in my Australia work visa application?
Yes. Most skilled visas allow you to include your partner and dependent children; additional fees apply per person (see cost table).
