VISA COMPARISON CHARTS FOR AUSTRALIANS

This information is to be used for comparison only and does not represent an exhaustive list of visas or their requirements.

Employer sponsored categories comparison chart

VISA TYPE	VISA DURATION	SKILLSELECT EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI) REQUIRED	SPONSORSHIP REQUIRED	REQUIRED TO WORK IN REGIONAL AUSTRALIA	POINTS TESTED VISA	SKILL/QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS	OTHER ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Temporary Skills Shortage- TSS visa (subclass 482)	From one day up to four years	Not required	Yes, by an employer	No, unless you occupation is on the Regional TSS occupation list	No	Occupation must be on the TSS Occupations List (Medium, Short, Regional) and applicant must have the skills necessary to perform the occupation. Applicant must also have the necessary English language skills unless exempted	After a period of employment of 3 years in the same position an employer may be able to sponsor a subclass 482 visa holder through the Temporary Residence Transition stream under ENS or RSMS (see below)
Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa (subclass 186)	Permanent	Not required	Yes, by an employer	No	No	Require a skills assessment by the relevant Australian authority and three years’ work experience, unless exempt Relevant registration or licensing must be held if required	Occupation must be on the Consolidated Sponsored Occupation List. Employee is to be paid at least the same as an Australian in the same occupation in the same locationMust be: Under 45, unless exempt Have at least competent English (IELTS 6 or equivalent), unless exempt
Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) visa (subclass 187) Direct Entry stream	Permanent	Not required	Yes, by a regional employer	Yes	No	Must have a related Australian or overseas equivalent qualification or be exempt Overseas qualified trades workers will need to have their skills assessed by Trades Recognition Australia Relevant registration or licensing must be held if required	Occupation must be an ANZSCO skill level 1-3. Employee is to be paid at least the same as an Australian in the same occupation in the same locationMust be: Under 45, unless exempt Have at least competent English (IELTS 6 or equivalent), unless exempt

VISA
TYPE

VISA
DURATION

SKILLSELECT EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI) REQUIRED

SPONSORSHIP
REQUIRED

REQUIRED
TO WORK
IN
REGIONAL
AUSTRALIA

POINTS
TESTED
VISA

SKILL/QUALIFICATION
REQUIREMENTS

OTHER ELIGIBILITY
REQUIREMENTS

Temporary Skills Shortage- TSS visa (subclass 482)

From one day up to four years

Not required

Yes, by an employer

No, unless you occupation is on the Regional TSS occupation list

Occupation must be on the TSS Occupations List (Medium, Short, Regional) and applicant must have the skills necessary to perform the occupation. Applicant must also have the necessary English language skills unless exempted

After a period of employment of 3 years in the same position an employer may be able to sponsor a subclass 482 visa holder through the Temporary Residence Transition stream under ENS or RSMS (see below)

Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa (subclass 186)

Permanent

Not required

Yes, by an employer

Require a skills assessment by the relevant Australian authority and three years’ work experience, unless exempt Relevant registration or licensing must be held if required

Occupation must be on the Consolidated Sponsored Occupation List. Employee is to be paid at least the same as an Australian in the same occupation in the same locationMust be:

Under 45, unless exempt
Have at least competent
English (IELTS 6 or equivalent), unless exempt

Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) visa (subclass 187)
Direct Entry stream

Permanent

Not required

Yes, by a regional employer

Yes

Must have a related Australian or overseas equivalent qualification or be exempt Overseas qualified trades workers will need to have their skills assessed by Trades Recognition Australia
Relevant registration or licensing must be held if required

Occupation must be an ANZSCO skill level 1-3. Employee is to be paid at least the same as an Australian in the same occupation in the same locationMust be:

Under 45, unless exempt
Have at least competent
English (IELTS 6 or equivalent), unless exempt

Points tested skilled migration comparison chart

VISA TYPE	VISA DURATION	SKILLSELECT EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI) REQUIRED	SPONSORSHIP REQUIRED	REQUIRED TO WORK IN REGIONAL AUSTRALIA	POINTS TESTED VISA	SKILL/QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS	OTHER ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Skilled – Independent visa (subclass 189)	Permanent	SkillSelect EOI is mandatory	No	No	Yes	Nominated occupation must be on the applicable Skilled Occupation List (SOL) and skills assessed by relevant assessing authority	Must be: Invited to apply Under 45 Have at least competent English
Skilled – Nominated visa (subclass 190)	Permanent	SkillSelect EOI is mandatory	Yes, applicant must be nominated by a state/territory government	No	Yes	Nominated occupation must be on the applicable 190 Occupation List and skills assessed by relevant assessing authority	Must be: Invited to apply Under 45 Have at least competent English
Skilled – Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489) Sponsored	Up to four years	SkillSelect EOI is mandatory unless renewing a provisional visa	Yes, applicant must be sponsored by an eligible relative	Yes	Yes	Nominated occupation must be on the applicable Skilled Occupation List (SOL) and skills assessed by relevant assessing authority	Must be: Invited to apply Under 45 Have at least competent English
Skilled – Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489) State or territory nominated	Up to four years	SkillSelect EOI is mandatory unless renewing a provisional visa	Yes, applicant must be nominated by a state/territory government	Yes	Yes	Nominated occupation must be on the applicable Skilled Occupation List and skills assessed by relevant assessing authority	Must be: Invited to apply Under 45 Have at least competent English