Moving to Australia
3 routes for people from the US, Canada and the UK, each checked against official sources. Find the one that fits, then check it with the source before you apply.
A job offer
Australia skilled visa
Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189, points-tested stream); related state-nominated (190), regional (491) and employer-sponsored Skills in Demand (482) visas
Skilled workers under 45 in an occupation on Australia's skilled lists who pass a skills assessment and the points test; the 189 gives permanent residence from day one without a job offer.
- What you need
- Under 45 when invited to apply.
- Must be invited after submitting an expression of interest; the points test pass mark is 65, and invitation rounds often require more.
- Positive skills assessment for a nominated occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list.
- At least competent English (approved test), more English earns more points.
- Not for
- People 45 or over (189)
- Occupations not on the skilled lists
- Where you apply
- Online. Expression of interest in SkillSelect, then an online visa application after invitation.
- How long it takes
- Processed by priority under Ministerial Direction No. 122. As of November 2026 Home Affairs was processing offshore single applications lodged in or before November 2025.
- First permit
- Permanent.
- Renewal
- Permanent visa; travel facility valid 5 years.
- Longer term
- 0Citizenship after about 4 years.
- Family
- Partner and dependent children can be included.
Study
Australia student visa
Student visa (subclass 500)
People enrolled in an Australian course who can show about AUD 29,710 a year for living costs plus tuition and travel.
- What you need
- Valid Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) in a registered course.
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) unless exempt.
- Financial capacity for 12 months: living costs of AUD 29,710 for the student (as reported from Home Affairs; secondary source), plus tuition and travel. (AUD 29,710 a year)
- From 2 October 2026 new rules limit applying from inside Australia and including family members (partners and children) unless exempt.
- Not for
- People who want to bring a partner or children (restricted since 2 October 2026 unless exempt)
- Where you apply
- Online. Online, generally from outside Australia unless you hold an eligible visa and meet an exemption.
- How long it takes
- Offshore applications are processed under Ministerial Direction 115 (lodged on or after 14 November 2025).
- First permit
- Up to 6 years, in line with enrolment.
- Renewal
- Apply for a new student visa for further study.
- Family
- Family members generally cannot be included from 2 October 2026 unless exempt.
Treaties and special cases
Australia working holiday visa
Working Holiday visa (subclass 417) for UK and Canadian passport holders; Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462) for US passport holders
UK and Canadian citizens aged 18 to 35, and US citizens aged 18 to 30, who want 12 months of travel and work in Australia, extendable to 3 years.
- What you need
- Subclass 417: 18 to 30, or 35 for some countries; UK and Canadian passport holders can apply up to 35 (secondary sources). Subclass 462 (US): 18 to 30 inclusive.
- Apply online from outside Australia; not accompanied by dependent children; must not have entered Australia on a 417 or 462 visa before (for the first visa).
- Enough money to support yourself and a return or onward ticket. Home Affairs' figure (commonly cited as about AUD 5,000) was not confirmed in this pass.
- Second visa: 3 months of specified work; third visa: 6 months. UK passport holders are exempt from the specified-work requirement under the Australia-UK FTA arrangements (secondary sources: from 1 July 2024).
- Not for
- People with dependent children who would come along
- US citizens over 30
- Where you apply
- Online. ImmiAccount online application, lodged from outside Australia for the first visa. You must be in the same location (inside or outside Australia) when the visa is granted as when you applied.
- How long it takes
- Home Affairs is 'normalising' WHM processing; it expects around three months on average.
- First permit
- 12 months.
- Renewal
- A second and third 12-month visa are possible (subject to specified work, except UK passport holders). Work for any one employer is limited to 6 months (condition 8547).
- Family
- Must apply on your own; family members cannot be included.
- Your passport
- UK and Canadian citizens use subclass 417 (up to age 35). US citizens use subclass 462 (up to age 30).