Australia skilled migration visas
Compare all 8 Australian skilled migration visas: 189, 190, 491, 482, 186, 494, 858 and 407. Requirements, validity, benefits, and PR pathways.
Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186)
Permanent — full work rights from day one
Visa 186 is the permanent employer-nominated pathway in Australia. Your employer nominates you for a permanent position with full work rights from day one. There are three streams: Direct Entry (no prior 482 needed), Temporary Residence Transition (after 2-3 years on a 482), and Labour Agreement (specific industries). The 186 doesn't have an EOI points test in most streams — your employer's nomination is the primary qualification.
Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)
Permanent — no expiration
The 189 is the most coveted skilled migration visa in Australia: full permanent residence with no employer or state nomination required. You apply directly to the federal government on points, and once granted you can live, work and study anywhere in Australia indefinitely. After 4 years on the visa you become eligible for citizenship. Your occupation must be on the MLTSSL (medium- and long-term strategic skills list) and you'll compete in monthly EOI invitation rounds.
Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)
Permanent — 2-year initial state commitment
Visa 190 is a permanent state-nominated skilled migration pathway. You receive permanent residence in exchange for a 2-year commitment to live and work in the nominating state. Each Australian state runs its own occupation list and selection criteria, with cutoffs that vary monthly. Compared to visa 189, the 190 typically has lower competitive cutoffs but constrains your initial location. Once the 2-year obligation is fulfilled you can move anywhere in Australia.
Training visa (subclass 407)
Up to 2 years
Visa 407 is a temporary training visa valid for up to 2 years. It supports occupational training that requires hands-on, work-based learning that can't be obtained in your home country. The training must be a structured program under an approved sponsor (employer, government body, or training provider). It's not a path to permanent residence on its own, but it can be a stepping stone to other employer-sponsored visas like the 482 or 186.
Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482)
Up to 4 years (renewable)
Visa 482 is the main employer-sponsored temporary work visa in Australia, valid for up to 4 years. Your Australian employer must nominate you for a position they can't fill locally, and you must hold a positive skills assessment for that occupation. The 482 grants full work rights at the sponsoring employer and is a stepping stone to permanent residence via the 186 (employer nomination) or 494 (regional). The MLTSSL stream offers a clearer path to PR than the STSOL stream.
Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491)
5 years — eligible for PR after 3 years
Visa 491 is a 5-year provisional visa for skilled migrants willing to live and work in regional Australia (anywhere outside the Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane metro areas). After 3 years of regional residence with sufficient income, you become eligible for permanent residence via the visa 191. The 491 has the lowest competitive cutoffs of all skilled migration pathways and grants access to a larger pool of nominated occupations than the 190.
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa (subclass 494)
5 years — eligible for PR after 3 years
Visa 494 is the regional version of employer-sponsored migration, valid for 5 years. Your regional Australian employer nominates you for a role they can't fill locally. After 3 years of regional residence with sufficient income, you become eligible for permanent residence via visa 191. The 494 has lower competitive thresholds than the 482 and gives access to the full ROL (Regional Occupation List).
Global Talent visa (subclass 858)
Permanent — fastest standard PR pathway
Visa 858 is Australia's premium fast-track to permanent residence for top-tier talent in priority sectors: technology, finance, healthcare, agritech, energy, defense and quantum. There's no points test and no employer nomination required, but applicants must demonstrate internationally recognized achievements and command a salary in the top tier (currently ~AUD 162,000+). Processing times are typically faster than standard skilled migration pathways.