Work Visas

Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa: This visa enables regional employers to address identified labour shortages within their region by sponsoring skilled workers where employers can’t source an appropriately skilled Australian worker.

1. Visa requirements:

• be nominated by an approved work sponsor
• have an occupation on a relevent skilled occupation list
• have a suitable skill assessment for the occupation
• be under 45 years of age
• meet minimum standards of English language proficiency

2. Three Streams

Employer Sponsored Stream
• This visa enables regional employers to address identified labour shortages within their region by sponsoring skilled workers where employers can’t source an appropriately skilled Australian worker.

Labour Agreement Stream

• This stream is for skilled workers nominated by employers who have a labour agreement. Labour agreements are developed between the Australian Government (represented by the Department) and employers.

Subsequent Entrant

• This visa is for members of the family unit of a Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (SESR) (Provisional) visa (subclass 494) holder who are applying separately for their SESR visa and wish to join the primary SESR visa holder in Australia.

​This visa does not commence until 16 November 2022. It is for people who have lived, worked and studied in designated regional area Australia on a previous, eligible visa (for instance, 494 visa, 491 visa and their bridging visas).

A. Short-term stream

This visa enables employers to address labour shortages by bringing in skilled workers where employers can’t source an appropriately skilled Australian worker. You can stay for up to 2 years or up to 4 years if an International Trade Obligation (ITO) applies.

You must

• be nominated to work in an occupation on the list of eligible short-term skilled occupations
• have at least 2 years relevant work experience in your nominated occupation or a related field
• have a relevant skills assessment if this is required for your occupation
• work only for your sponsor or associated entity, unless you are exempt
• meet minimum standards of English language proficiency unless you are exempt from needing to show this

B. Medium-term stream

This visa enables employers to address labour shortages by bringing in skilled workers where employers can’t source an appropriately skilled Australian worker. You can stay up to 4 years.

You must

• be nominated to work in an occupation on the list of eligible medium and long-term skilled occupations
• have at least 2 years relevant work experience in your nominated occupation or a related field
• have a relevant skills assessment if this is required for your occupation
• work only for your sponsor or associated entity, unless you are exempt
• meet minimum standards of English language proficiency unless you are exempt from needing to show this

C. Labour agreement stream

This visa is for skilled workers nominated by employers who have a Labour Agreement. It lets you live and work in Australia temporarily. Labour agreements are developed between the Australian Government (represented by the Department) and employers. You can stay up to a maximum of 4 years, depending on the terms in the labour agreement.

You must

• be nominated to work in a specified occupation under the terms of a Labour Agreement
• have at least 2 years relevant work experience in your nominated occupation or a related field
• have a relevant skills assessment if this is required for your occupation
• work only for your sponsor
• meet minimum standards of English language proficiency unless you are exempt from needing to show this

D. Subsequent entrant

This visa is for family members of subclass 457 and TSS visa holders who are applying separately for their TSS visa and wish to join the primary subclass 457 or TSS visa holder in Australia.

You can stay for as long as your visa is valid. You must be a partner or a dependent of a subclass 482 or 457 visa holder.

A. Direct Entry stream

This visa lets skilled workers, who are nominated by an employer, live and work in Australia permanently.

You must

• have an occupation that is on the list of eligible skilled occupations
• have at least 3 years relevant work experience, unless you are exempt
• have a positive skills assessment, unless you are exempt

B. Labour Agreement stream

This visa lets skilled workers who are nominated by their employer live and work in Australia permanently. The Labour Agreement stream might be for you if you currently work, or will work, for an employer who is a party to a labour agreement.

You must

• currently work, or will work, for your nominating employer who is party to a labour agreement.
• meet the age, skills and English language requirements of the labour agreement

C. Temporary Residence Transition stream

This visa lets skilled workers, who are nominated by their employer, live and work in Australia permanently.

You must

• hold a subclass 457, TSS or related Bridging visa A, B or C
• usually, have worked for your employer for at least 3 years full time while holding a subclass 457 or TSS visa
• have been nominated by an Australian employer whose nomination was approved in the 6 months before you apply

The Highly Specialised Work stream of this temporary visa lets you do short-term, highly specialised work in Australia. It is suitable if you have specialised skills, knowledge or experience not generally available in Australia.

• Australian Home Affairs can grant for up to 6 months (depending on the circumstances).
• Generally, for a stay period longer than 3 months, a strong business case must be provided with the application.
• You can’t apply for this visa in Australia or stay longer by extending this visa.

You must

• have highly specialised skills, knowledge or experience that can help Australian business and can’t reasonably be found in Australia
• only do the work or activities for which your visa was granted

This visa allows you to come to Australia to do specific types of work on a short-term, temporary basis.

A. Special Program stream

This visa lets you stay in Australia to take part in an approved special program. Special programs can include youth exchange, cultural enrichment or community programs, school language assistants or “gap year school volunteering “. You can stay up to 12 months.

B. Religious Work stream

This visa lets you do full-time religious work for a religious institution in Australia. You and your family who apply for the visa with you can stay here for up to 2 years. You can stay up to 2 years.

C. Research Activities

This visa lets you observe or take part in a research project at a research or tertiary institution in Australia. You and your family who apply for the visa with you can stay here for up to 2 years.

D. Other Social and Cultural Activity (Invited Participant) stream

This visa lets you come to Australia if you are invited to participate in a community-based event, including sporting events. You and your family who travel on the visa with you can stay here for up to 3 months.

E. Sporting Activities

This visa allows you to play, coach, instruct or adjudicate for an Australian team, or do high-level sports training with a sporting organisation. You and your family can stay in Australia for up to 2 years.

F. Entertainment Activities stream

This temporary visa lets you come to Australia to work in the entertainment industry on film, television or live productions as a performer, production or support staff. You can include family members in your visa application. You can stay up to 2 years.

G. Other streams

For example, Superyacht Crew stream (up to 12 months), Staff Exchange Arrangements (up to 2 years), Australian Government endorsed events (stay for the duration of the event or up to 4 years), and Domestic Work for Executives (up to 2 years).

Investor Retirement visa (subclass 405) This temporary visa is for self-funded retirees who have no dependents and want to live in Australia during their retirement years. This is a temporary visa. It allows you to:

• work in Australia for up to 40 hours per fortnight
• travel to and remain in Australia for four years from the date the visa is granted – after that time you will need another visa
• have your partner (who has also been granted this visa) accompany you to Australia.