Stream
Overview
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What you get
Key entitlements granted to visa holders.
- Live, work and study in Australia indefinitely
- Sponsor eligible family members to come to Australia
- Apply for Australian citizenship, if eligible
Eligibility
High-level requirements. Detailed criteria are on the Department of Home Affairs website.
Have an eligible occupation
Have relevant work experience
Licensing, registration or membership
Have a positive skills assessment
Be nominated
You must be nominated by an Australian employer whose business is actively and lawfully operating.
You must apply for the visa within 6 months of the nomination being approved.
We can't grant you a visa if:
- we are aware of adverse information about your nominator or any person associated with them, unless it is reasonable to disregard this information, or
- the nomination is withdrawn, or
- the position is no longer available
You might be eligible for a refund of the visa application charge depending on the circumstances.
Be this age
Usually, you must be under 45 years of age when you apply.
You are exempt from this criteria if any of the following applies to you:
- you are nominated as an academic (university lecturer or faculty head at Academic Level B, C D or E) by a university in Australia
- you are nominated as a scientist, researcher or technical (scientific) specialist at ANZSCO skill level 1 or 2 by a Federal, State or Territory government science agency, or an Australian university
- you currently hold a Special Category (subclass 444) or New Zealand citizen's family member (subclass 461) visa and have worked for the employer who nominated you, in the nominated position, for at least 2 years in the last 3 years immediately before you apply. The 2 years excludes periods of unpaid leave.
Meet our health requirement
Meet our character requirement
Sign the Australian values statement
If you are 18 years of age or older, you must:
- have read, or had explained to you, the Life in Australia booklet and
- sign an Australian Values Statement that confirms you will respect the Australian way of life and obey Australian laws.
Have this level of English language
Have paid back your debt to the Australian government
Not have had a visa cancelled or a previous application refused
We will consider your immigration history when we make a decision on your application, which means you might not be eligible for this visa if you have had a visa cancelled or refused.
In some circumstances you may still apply for a permanent visa if you have had a visa cancelled or an application refused see Limitations on applications in Australia.
If applying for a visa from outside Australia see Can I go to Australia.
If you want immigration assistance, see Who can help with your visa application.
Costs & fees
Indicative fees for the main applicant and family members.