Country guide
Migrate to Australia
A clear, points-based system with routes from temporary work to permanent residency and citizenship.
AUD $26.44
National minimum wage per hour (July 2026)
Why Australia?
- One of the world's highest minimum wages
- Medicare covers permanent residents
- 4 weeks' paid annual leave by law
- Jobs in mining, tech, healthcare and farming
- Citizenship after 4 years of living in Australia
- Over 30% of residents were born overseas
Key facts
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Population | 27.1 million (2025) |
| Official language | English |
| Currency | Australian dollar (AUD) |
| National minimum wage | AUD $26.44 / hour (from 1 July 2026) |
| Healthcare | Universal public (Medicare) |
| Main routes | Subclass 189, 190, 491, 482, 494 |
Visa routes
Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)
Points-tested permanent residency for occupations on the skilled list. No employer or state sponsor. Points for age, English, qualifications and experience.
Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)
Like the 189, but a state or territory nominates you. The nomination adds 5 points, and cut-offs are often lower.
Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482)
Employer-sponsored work visa for up to 4 years. It replaced the Temporary Skill Shortage visa on 7 December 2024. Can lead to PR through the subclass 186.
Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491)
A 5-year provisional visa for living and working in regional Australia. Nomination adds 15 points. PR after 3 years.
Cost of living
Typical monthly costs in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
| Expense | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| 1-bed rent (city centre) | AUD $2,000 to $2,800 / month |
| Groceries (one person) | AUD $400 to $600 / month |
| Public transport pass | AUD $150 to $200 / month |
| Internet (50 Mbps+) | AUD $60 to $100 / month |
| Utilities (power, gas, water) | AUD $200 to $300 / month |
Jobs in demand
- Registered nurses & midwives
- Software developers & cybersecurity analysts
- Civil & structural engineers
- Electricians, plumbers & carpenters
- Chefs & hospitality managers
- Secondary school teachers
- Accountants & auditors
- Doctors & GPs
FAQs
What points score do I need for the subclass 189?
The minimum is 65 points. In 2025, most invitation rounds needed 80-90 points. High-demand fields like nursing and engineering sometimes got invitations at lower scores.
How long does the Australian visa process take?
Subclass 189: 6-12 months. Employer-sponsored 482: 3-6 months. State-nominated 190: 8-12 months, including state processing.
Is healthcare free in Australia for migrants?
Permanent residents get full Medicare. Temporary visa holders from countries with a reciprocal agreement (such as the UK, Ireland and NZ) get limited Medicare. Everyone else needs private health insurance.
Can I get permanent residency from a temporary work visa?
Yes. Skills in Demand (482) holders can apply for PR through the subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme) after 2-3 years with their sponsoring employer.
This guide is general information, not legal advice, and rules change often. Always confirm the current requirements on the official government website for your destination. How we research & source our guides.
What is changing in Australia, and when
- Tightened
Students need a new visa to change education provider
Switching provider means a new transfer-stream student visa with the same end date, and you can only move sideways or up, never down to VET. Source (Minister for Home Affairs)
- Cut
Most international students can no longer bring family
Dependants are now allowed only in limited cases, including PhD students, government scholarship holders and ASEAN or Pacific Island students, and must be included in the main application; the same applies to Temporary Graduate visas. Source (Minister for Home Affairs)
Could Australia work for you?
Most refusals come from the wrong route or a weak document. Check yours before you spend.
Free eligibility check →
2 minutes. Results on screen, no sign-up.
Talk it through with a person →
60-minute plan check. $99 to book, $499 in total.
Already there? Read the arrival guide for Australia →
