Skilled migration and regional pathways
Australia visas and regional options in plain English
See SkillSelect, points-tested visas, Skills in Demand employer visas, and regional pathways in one clear guide.
Country
Australia
Status
Skilled migration coverage
Last reviewed
June 27, 2026
Summary
SkillSelect, points-tested visas, SID employer visas, regional pathways
Note
Australia is easier to understand when you check points, state support, employer-backed work, and regional access separately. The 2026-27 migration plan also gives more weight to people already in Australia, so applicants outside Australia should expect fewer openings than the published 185,000 total suggests.
Country
Status
Summary
Choose a starting point
Which guide should you open first?
Start with the guide that looks most relevant below, then switch only if another option matches your situation more clearly.
Recommended first guide
Expression of Interest and invitation flow
Australia’s SkillSelect system is the starting point for subclass 189, 190, and 491 skilled pathways.
For most visitors, this is the most useful first guide to open before comparing the other options.
Key checks for Australia
Key checks for Australia
Start with the three checks that matter most for Australia before going deeper.
Australia usually starts with an Expression of Interest and an invitation, not with a direct visa filing.
Home Affairs says subclasses 189, 190, and 491 are points-tested, and the EOI page says candidates need at least 65 points.
As of May 2026, employer-sponsored routes sit under the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482). For the Core Skills stream, the published threshold is AUD 76,515 through June 30, 2026, and Home Affairs indexes it annually.
Official sources to start with
Official sources to start with
The links below point to the most useful official government sources for checking the country rules directly.
Correction
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