Subclass 189 · Skilled
Skilled Independent — Points-tested
Permanent residence without a state or employer nomination. Invitation and verifiable points claims required.
Australian visa pathways · official-source research
Explore Australian visa pathways.
Compare 18 distinct visa subclasses and streams, organised by their purpose, sponsorship requirements and possible outcomes.
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Subclass 190 · Skilled
Skilled Nominated
Permanent skilled migration following state or territory nomination and a SkillSelect invitation.
Subclass 491 · Skilled
Skilled Work Regional
A five-year regional provisional option based on nomination or eligible family sponsorship.
Subclass 494 · Employer
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional
Regional employer nomination and sponsored work, subject to detailed occupation, salary and visa criteria.
Subclass 482 · Employer
Skills in Demand — Overview
Compare Core Skills, Specialist Skills and Labour Agreement streams and their different eligibility tests.
Subclass 482 · Employer
Skills in Demand — Core Skills
Core Skills Occupation List, employer nomination, threshold and market-rate salary requirements.
Subclass 482 · Employer
Skills in Demand — Specialist Skills
Occupation-group and high-income criteria with relevant experience and sponsorship evidence.
Subclass 482 · Employer
Skills in Demand — Labour Agreement
Visa conditions and concessions depend on an approved employer labour agreement.
Subclass 186 · Employer
Employer Nomination Scheme
Compare Direct Entry, Temporary Residence Transition and Labour Agreement pathways to permanent residence.
Subclass 407 · Study & training
Training Visa
Structured occupational training and approved sponsorship; not a substitute for ordinary work sponsorship.
Subclass 500 · Study & training
Student Visa
Study eligibility, Genuine Student evidence, new offshore rules and family restrictions effective 2 October 2026.
Subclass 485 · Study & training
Temporary Graduate Visa
Post-Vocational Education Work, Post-Higher Education Work and eligible second-stream pathways.
Subclass 191 · Regional PR
Regional Provisional Stream
Permanent residence option for eligible former regional provisional visa holders, subject to holding-period and tax notices.
Subclass 189 · Hong Kong
Hong Kong Stream
A distinct subclass 189 route based on qualifying passport, visa and residence history.
Subclass 191 · Hong Kong
Hong Kong Stream
A distinct regional permanent-residence route for qualifying Hong Kong or BN(O) passport holders.
Subclass 858 · Innovation & business
National Innovation Visa
Invitation-only pathway for internationally recognised exceptional talent and achievements.
Subclass 188 · Innovation & business
BIIP Closure and 888 Transition
Subclass 188 closed to new applications in 2024; eligible pre-existing cases require stream-specific review.
Subclass 888 · Innovation & business
Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent)
Permanent visa routes for qualifying prior applicants or holders under defined rules and cohorts.
Read full guide: Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent)
Explore the complete Australia Pathways guides for each visa category. References to Australian Government sources are provided inside the individual guides.