Immigration to Australia

How Australia selects migrants

Visas are run by the Department of Home Affairs, and the government sets the number of places in the permanent Migration Program each year. Ministerial directions decide which applications are processed first, which is why waiting times shift with policy.

An approved sponsor can employ a worker on a temporary 482 visa and later nominate them for the permanent 186. Student visa applicants must show a genuine intention to study and enough funds, and research degrees are a separate route toward permanent residency.

Permanent visas are split between the Skill and Family streams, and most skilled visas start with an Expression of Interest (EOI) in the SkillSelect system. English is proven with tests such as IELTS or PTE, and occupations through a skills assessment by the relevant assessing authority. Regional visas give extra options to people willing to live outside the largest cities. Requirements for students, sponsors and minimum salaries are revised regularly, so conditions should be checked on the Home Affairs website before applying.