Australia Skilled Visa 2026: 482, 189, 190 and 491 Compared

You're a skilled worker looking at Australia, and the visa numbers are piling up: 482, 189, 190, 491. Each is a different Australia skilled visa. Which one suits you comes down to two questions: will an employer sponsor you, and how many points can you score?

Figures below are as of September 2026. The Department of Home Affairs changes fees and thresholds regularly, so confirm everything on immi.homeaffairs.gov.au before you apply.

Which Australia skilled visa fits you?

These are visa application charges only. Family members, skills assessments, English tests and health checks cost extra.

The National Innovation visa, briefly

The National Innovation visa (subclass 858) is a permanent visa for people with an internationally recognised record of exceptional achievement. You need a nominator with a national reputation in your field and an invitation after submitting an expression of interest.

The Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482)

The Skills in Demand (SID) visa lets an approved employer sponsor you when it can't find a suitably skilled Australian. Its income thresholds have applied since 7 December 2024. You can stay up to four years and apply for permanent residence later if eligible.

Core Skills stream. Your occupation must be on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL). You need at least one year of relevant experience, a skills assessment if your occupation requires one, and English that meets the minimum standard unless exempt.

Specialist Skills stream. For occupations in ANZSCO Major Groups 1, 2, 4, 5 or 6 where the salary meets the higher Specialist Skills Income Threshold.

Labour Agreement stream. For workers nominated by employers with a labour agreement with the Australian Government.

Income thresholds for 2026 to 2027

Thresholds are indexed every 1 July. In 2026 they rose 3.8%.

Your employer must also pay the annual market salary rate, meaning what an Australian doing the same job would earn. The new figures don't affect nominations lodged before 1 July 2026.

Employer sponsorship: who pays the SAF levy?

Your employer pays these costs and can't pass them on to you or your family.

The Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy is paid in full when the employer lodges the nomination, so a large business nominating you for four years pays AUD7,200.

You pay the visa application charge: AUD4,015 for you and each dependant aged 18 or over, and AUD1,005 for each dependant under 18.

Points-tested visas: 189, 190 and 491

If you don't have an employer sponsor, the points-tested visas are your main option. All three require an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list, a suitable skills assessment and an invitation through SkillSelect.

Skilled Independent (189). A permanent visa with no sponsor or nominator. You must be under 45 to be invited.

Skilled Nominated (190). A permanent visa that needs nomination by a state or territory government, which adds 5 points. You can live and work anywhere in Australia.

Skilled Work Regional (491). A five-year provisional visa for living, working and studying in a designated regional area. You need a state or territory nomination or sponsorship by an eligible relative, which adds 15 points. You can apply for permanent residence three years after grant, if eligible.

Each state and territory sets its own nomination criteria, and these change often.

How the points test works

You need at least 65 points to be invited. Here are the main categories as of September 2026.

Work experience points are capped at 20, and only your highest qualification counts.

Say you're a 31-year-old civil engineer in Pune with a bachelor's degree, six years' experience and a proficient English score. That's 30 for age, 15 for your degree, 10 for experience and 10 for English, so 65. If your partner applies with you and has competent English, you'd reach 70, and a 190 nomination would take you to 75.

Skills assessments, English tests, health insurance and Medicare

Skills assessments. The assessing authority for your occupation checks your qualifications and experience. You need a suitable assessment for a 189, 190 or 491, and some 482 applicants need one too.

English tests. Home Affairs sets which tests and scores it accepts. Your result affects both eligibility and points.

Health insurance on a 482. You're personally liable for healthcare costs, and keeping adequate health insurance for your whole stay is a visa condition. Some countries have reciprocal healthcare agreements with Australia.

Medicare for permanent residents. Permanent visas such as the 190 let you enrol in Medicare, Australia's public health scheme.

How to apply for a points-tested visa, step by step

1. Check your occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list.
2. Get a skills assessment from the assessing authority for your occupation.
3. Take an approved English test and aim for the highest score you can.
4. Submit an EOI in SkillSelect. Add your test results and skills assessment, and update your EOI if your circumstances change.
5. Apply for state nomination if you're targeting a 190 or 491.
6. Wait for an invitation. Once invited, you have 60 days to lodge your visa application in ImmiAccount.
7. Complete health and character checks and pay the visa application charge.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Using last year's salary threshold. Nominations lodged from 1 July 2026 must meet the new figures.
• Claiming points you can't prove. Invitations are based on your EOI, and Home Affairs checks the evidence.
• Paying an employer for sponsorship. It's illegal and can end your visa hopes.
• Arriving on a 482 without cover. Adequate health insurance is a visa condition.

Your next steps

Work out your points with the Home Affairs calculator and check whether your occupation is on a skilled list. If you'd rather go through an employer, our guide to finding visa sponsorship jobs can help you find one.

Budget for visa charges for each family member, skills assessments, tests, health insurance and your first months of rent. Weighing nearby options? Compare our New Zealand work visa guide, and check current figures on immi.homeaffairs.gov.au before you apply.