How to Move to Australia

Australia Visa Options

Australia offers five main visa pathways for non-citizens. The Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) is points-based and does not require employer sponsorship or state nomination, granting permanent residency directly upon approval. The Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) also grants PR but requires nomination by a state or territory government, which adds 5 points to your score. The Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482) is employer-sponsored with a minimum salary of AUD $70,000 per year and processes in about 8 weeks. The Working Holiday visa (subclass 417 for passport countries, 462 for others) allows those aged 18 to 30 (or 35 for some nationalities) to live and work in Australia for up to one year, with extensions available for regional work. The Global Talent visa (subclass 858) targets highly skilled individuals in priority sectors and grants PR directly.

• 189 and 190 visas grant permanent residency on arrival
• Points test rewards age, English, qualifications, and work experience
• Skills assessment is mandatory before lodging a skilled visa application
• Regional areas offer additional points and lower thresholds
• Working Holiday visa is among the most popular in the world

Cost of Living in Australia

Australia has a high cost of living offset by high wages. The median salary is approximately AUD $85,000 per year (roughly €51,000) according to the ABS. One-bedroom apartments in central Sydney range from AUD $2,200 to $3,200 per month. Melbourne is slightly cheaper at AUD $1,800 to $2,600. Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide offer rents 25 to 40 percent below Sydney. Groceries are more expensive than in Europe or North America, with a weekly grocery bill for one person running AUD $100 to $150. Public transport monthly passes cost AUD $100 to $180 depending on the city. A single person can live comfortably on AUD $3,500 to $4,500 per month outside Sydney, including rent.

Language Requirements

English proficiency is a core requirement for Australian skilled migration. The Skilled Independent (189) and Skilled Nominated (190) visas require a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 in each band (competent English), which also earns points in the points test. Higher scores earn more points: IELTS 7.0 in each band (proficient) adds 10 points, and IELTS 8.0 in each band (superior) adds 20 points. The Temporary Skill Shortage (482) visa requires IELTS 5.0 overall with no band below 4.5. Accepted tests include IELTS, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, and the Cambridge C1 Advanced. Citizens of the UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, and New Zealand are exempt from English language testing. Citizenship requires functional English, typically demonstrated through the citizenship interview.

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Credential Recognition

A skills assessment is mandatory for all Australian skilled visa applications and must be completed before lodging. The assessing authority varies by occupation. Engineers apply through Engineers Australia. IT professionals go through the Australian Computer Society (ACS). Healthcare workers are assessed by the relevant medical board or AHPRA. General professional occupations use VETASSESS. Trades workers apply through TRA (Trades Recognition Australia). The assessment typically takes 6 to 12 weeks and costs AUD $500 to $1,500 depending on the authority and occupation. Your occupation must appear on the relevant Skilled Occupation List (SOL or MLTSSL) to be eligible for a skilled visa. Check the list before starting the assessment process, as occupations are reviewed and updated regularly.

Visa Application Process

Australian skilled visa applications are lodged online through the Department of Home Affairs ImmiAccount portal. For the 189 and 190 visas, you must first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect with your points score, then wait for an invitation to apply. Current minimum competitive scores for a 189 invitation sit at 65 to 90 points depending on the occupation. Once invited, you have 60 days to lodge the full application. Processing takes approximately 12 weeks for both 189 and 190 visas. The 482 employer-sponsored visa processes in about 8 weeks and requires the employer to have approved sponsor status. Required documents include a valid passport, skills assessment outcome, English test results, police clearance certificates from every country you have lived in for 12 months or more, and health examinations conducted by a Bupa Medical Visa Services panel physician.

Path to Permanent Residency and Citizenship

The 189 and 190 visas grant permanent residency directly upon approval. Holders of the 482 temporary visa can transition to PR through the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) after 2 to 3 years of employment with their sponsoring employer. The Global Talent visa (858) also grants PR directly. Australian citizenship requires 4 years of lawful residence, with at least 1 year as a permanent resident, and presence in Australia for at least 2 of the 4 years (with no more than 12 months total absence). Citizenship applicants must pass a citizenship test of 20 multiple-choice questions on Australian values, history, and democratic beliefs, requiring 75% (15 out of 20) to pass. Australia permits dual citizenship, so you do not need to renounce your existing nationality.

Your First Days in Australia

Arriving in Australia on a permanent or temporary visa requires a few key registrations in the first weeks. Your Tax File Number (TFN) should be applied for online immediately upon arrival, as employers cannot pay you without one. Opening a bank account is straightforward in the first 100 days with just your passport, after which ID requirements become stricter. Expect the full setup process to take 2 to 5 weeks.

Moving with Family

Partners and children can be included on your primary visa application as dependants. Including a partner on a 189 or 190 application does not reduce your chances, and partners with competent English and a skills assessment in a nominated occupation contribute additional points. Dependant children must be under 18 (or under 23 if a full-time student). Public schools are free for PR holders, while temporary visa holders typically pay fees of AUD $5,000 to $12,000 per year depending on the state. Private school fees range from AUD $10,000 to $40,000 per year. Childcare (daycare and preschool) is subsidized through the Child Care Subsidy, covering 50 to 90 percent of costs based on household income. Parental leave provides 18 weeks of government-funded pay at the minimum wage.

Healthcare in Australia

Medicare is Australia's universal public health insurance system. Permanent residents and citizens are automatically eligible for Medicare, which covers GP visits, hospital treatment as a public patient, and subsidized prescription medicines through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). Holders of temporary visas (including 482) from countries with reciprocal healthcare agreements (UK, Ireland, New Zealand, and several others) also qualify for Medicare. Private health insurance is optional but common, costing AUD $100 to $300 per month for singles. The Medicare Levy is 2% of taxable income, and a Medicare Levy Surcharge of 1 to 1.5% applies to higher earners (above AUD $93,000 single) who do not hold private hospital cover. The Lifetime Health Cover loading adds 2% per year of age over 31 if you delay purchasing private hospital cover.

Taxes in Australia

Australia taxes residents on worldwide income using a progressive scale. The first AUD $18,200 is tax-free. Rates then climb from 19% (up to $45,000), to 32.5% ($45,001 to $120,000), 37% ($120,001 to $180,000), and 45% (above $180,000). The 2% Medicare Levy applies on top of income tax. Superannuation (retirement savings) is mandatory, with employers contributing 11.5% of your ordinary earnings into a super fund (increasing to 12% by July 2025). Temporary visa holders who leave Australia permanently can claim their super as a Departing Australia Superannuation Payment, though it is taxed at up to 65% for the taxable component. Australia has double taxation agreements with over 40 countries. There is no inheritance tax or wealth tax.