How to work long-term in Australia? Five legal ways + application guide

Hello everyone, I am the assistant of Australian Encyclopedia. Recently, some friends asked me aboutHow to stay and work in AustraliaNow I will summarize the related issues, hoping to help those who want to know more.

As one of the most popular immigration countries in the world, Australia attracts talents from all over the world with its perfect social welfare system and generous working conditions. However, if you want to stay in Australia to work legally, you need to master the correct visa application strategy. This article will systematically analyze the five major mainstream work channels, and provide the latest policy interpretation and application avoidance guide.

1. Skilled Migration

1.1 Independent Skilled Migrant (189 Visa)
Applicable occupations in the MLTSSL medium- and long-term list of professionals need to pass the occupation assessment and EOI score of 65 points. The latest data shows that the invitation score for occupations such as IT engineers and registered nurses has dropped to 85 points.

1.2 State Sponsored Migration (190/491 Visa)
Each state government formulates a list of occupations based on local needs. Western Australia has special policies for construction talents and South Australia has special policies for agricultural experts. When applying, please pay attention to the update time of each state's guarantee quota (usually the 11th of each month).

1.3 Bonus Strategy
• English score: IELTS four 8s can add 20 points
• Bonus points for spouse: spouse’s career assessment + IELTS 6 points
• Studying in a remote area: additional 5 points

2. Employer Sponsorship System

2.1 Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (482 Visa)
The employer needs to pass the labor market test (LMT), and the visa is valid for 2-4 years. The new policy in 2023 will remove the restrictions on the occupation list, and blue-collar occupations such as chefs and auto mechanics will usher in benefits.

2.2 Employer-sponsored permanent residence (186 visa)
After holding a 482 visa for 3 years, you can transfer to permanent residence. The latest review period has been shortened to 8 months. Special attention: The employer needs to prove the ability to continue to operate, and the annual turnover is recommended to be no less than 1 million Australian dollars.

3. Graduate Work Visa (485 Visa)

If you have completed a 2-year degree in Australia, you can apply for:
• PSW: 2 years for undergraduate, 3 years for master, 4 years for doctoral
• GW category: Extended to 4-6 years for certain majors
Please note that the "Alternative English Score" policy implemented in 2023 will make it easier to meet the requirements with the PTE test scores.

4. Business Investment Immigration

4.1 188A Innovation Visa
The household net worth is required to be AUD 1.25 million and the company's annual turnover is AUD 750,000. Victoria has additional turnover requirements for applicants in the catering industry.

4.2 188C Significant Investment Visa
It is necessary to invest A$5 million for 4 years, and the new policy in 2023 requires at least A$1 million to be invested in venture capital funds.

5. Global Talent Visa

For talents in the 10 priority areas (resources, agriculture, financial technology, etc.), international awards or proof of industry influence are required. The quota for the 2022-23 fiscal year will be increased to 15,000, and the review process can be shortened to as little as one month.

FAQ

Q: Can I apply for a work visa without a university degree?
A: You can apply for a 482 visa through VET occupation assessment (e.g. a chef needs Certificate III + 3 years of experience).

Q: Does the employer sponsor have to be a large enterprise?
A: Small and medium-sized enterprises can also provide sponsorship, but they need to provide complete financial statements and employment records. It is recommended to choose an employer that has been established for more than 3 years and has no bad records.

Q: Which occupations make it easier to obtain permanent residency?
A: Healthcare (registered nurses, physical therapists), engineering (mining, civil engineering), and IT (cybersecurity experts) are all in-demand occupations.

Thank you for your reading. I hope this article can help you understandHow to work long term in AustraliaIt is recommended to choose 2-3 alternative options according to your own situation and prepare for language tests and career assessments 12 months in advance. Remember to bookmark the Australian Department of Home Affairs official website (homeaffairs.gov.au) to check the latest occupation list!