Australia has two main work visa routes. The first is the employer-sponsored Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482), where a business nominates you. The second is the points-tested Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189), a permanent visa for which you need an invitation, not an employer.
The Visitor visa does not allow work. South African applicants use the same routes as everyone else, and you apply online.
Eligibility and Entry Requirements at a Glance
Skilled Independent (189). You can only apply if you are invited after submitting an expression of interest (EOI) in SkillSelect. You must:
- be under 45 when invited
- score at least 65 points on the points test (the invitation may require more)
- have at least competent English
- hold a suitable skills assessment obtained in the 3 years before the invitation date
- have an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list
- meet the health and character requirements; applicants aged 18 or over must also read the Life in Australia booklet and sign the Australian Values Statement
Skills in Demand (482), Core Skills stream. Your employer must be an approved sponsor (or have applied to be a Standard business sponsor) and nominate you for an occupation on the Core Skills Occupation List. There is no age requirement. You need at least 1 year of relevant work experience, a skills assessment where one is required, health insurance and English proficiency unless exempt.
Specialist Skills stream. This is for ANZSCO occupations outside Major Groups 3, 7 and 8, where the nominated salary meets the Specialist Skills Income Threshold. Check the current threshold on the Specialist Skills stream page.
Passport and Travel Document Requirements
You need a valid passport. If you plan to renew it, do so before you apply, and ask Home Affairs what to do if you renew after applying.
Work and Holiday (subclass 462) is a separate option for people aged 18 to 30 with a passport from an eligible country and no dependent children. South Africa is not among the partner countries listed with annual caps, so check the Home Affairs working holiday pages before relying on it.
Visa and Supporting Document Requirements
Expect to provide:
- your passport and identity documents
- a positive skills assessment from the assessing authority for your occupation (for 482, a mandatory assessment must be commenced before you lodge, or the application is not valid)
- evidence of your English language ability
- evidence of every points claim, for the 189 route
- the employer’s nomination and sponsorship details, for the 482 route
- health examination results and police certificates when requested
- for family members: their own applications and evidence of your relationship
Your 189 points come from age, English, skilled employment and education. Age 25 to 32 scores 30 points, 18 to 24 and 33 to 39 score 25, and 40 to 44 scores 15. English scores 0 for Competent, 10 for Proficient and 20 for Superior. Overseas skilled employment scores 5 points for 3 to 4 years, 10 for 5 to 7 years and 15 for 8 or more, and employment points are capped at 20. A doctorate scores 20 and a bachelor degree 15. See the official points table before you claim.
Financial, Health and Entry Conditions
Fees. For applications from 1 July 2026, the base charge is A$6,135 for the Skilled Independent (189) visa, with A$3,070 for each additional applicant aged 18 or over and A$1,540 for each under 18. For Skills in Demand (482) it is A$4,015, plus A$4,015 for each extra applicant aged 18 or over and A$1,005 for each under 18. Confirm the live price on the Home Affairs Visa Pricing Estimator, and ask Home Affairs whether charges are refunded if you are refused before you pay.
Health. Health and character requirements apply to both visas, and the Core Skills stream also requires health insurance.
Validity. The 482 visa lets you work for your sponsor for up to 4 years (5 for Hong Kong passport holders) and travel multiple times, and you may later be able to apply for permanent residence.
How to Prepare or Apply
- Confirm your occupation is on the relevant list and identify the assessing authority for it.
- Get your skills assessment and take an approved English test.
- For the 189 route, submit an expression of interest in SkillSelect and keep it updated. Invitations go to the highest-ranked EOIs by points; ties are separated by the date the EOI reached its score.
- If you are invited, you have 60 days from the invitation date to submit the application online. In the 4 June 2026 round, 10,000 189 invitations were issued and minimum invited scores varied by occupation, from 65 for some trades to 90 for Actuary. See the invitation rounds page for the latest.
- For the 482 route, your employer must be an approved sponsor and nominate you first. Ask your employer and Home Affairs how the sponsorship and nomination steps work before you apply.
Start with the skills assessment, because the route cannot proceed without it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Australia work visa requirements?
For the Skilled Independent (189) visa: an invitation, under 45, at least 65 points, at least competent English, a suitable skills assessment and an occupation on the relevant list. For the Skills in Demand (482) visa: an approved sponsor who nominates you, an eligible occupation, at least 1 year of relevant experience, a skills assessment where required, health insurance and English proficiency.
Is there an Australian work permit?
Searches for an Australian work permit lead to the work visas, mainly the Skills in Demand (482) visa, which lets you work for your sponsor, and the Skilled Independent (189) visa.
Can I get an Australian work visa without a job offer?
Yes, on the 189 route, which needs an invitation and not an employer. The 482 requires a sponsor and nomination.
How long can I work in Australia on a 482 visa?
For up to 4 years with your sponsor (5 years for Hong Kong passport holders).
How long do I have to apply after an invitation?
You have 60 days from the date of the invitation to submit the visa application online.
Can I work on a visitor visa?
No. The Visitor visa does not permit work.
Confirm the current rules, fees and forms with the Australian Department of Home Affairs before you apply. See visa requirements and browse all travel and immigration requirements.