1. Points-tested Stream

This stream is for skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer or family member or nominated by a state or territory government.

• Expression of Interest (EOI) & Invitation: You must first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through SkillSelect and receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for the visa. Invitations are issued in regular rounds based on points score and occupation ceilings.
• Points Test: You must meet the current pass mark of at least 65 points on the points test (the higher your score, the better your chance of invitation). Points are awarded for factors like age, English ability, skilled employment experience, qualifications, Australian study, partner skills, etc.
• Skills Assessment: You must have a positive and valid skills assessment for your nominated occupation from the relevant Australian assessing authority.
• Occupation: Your nominated occupation must be on the relevant list of eligible skilled occupations (typically the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List - MLTSSL).
• Age: You must be under 45 at the time of the Invitation to Apply (ITA).
• English: At least Competent English (e.g., IELTS 6.0 in each band or equivalent) is required to be eligible to apply, but a higher score may be needed to achieve sufficient points for an invitation.

2. New Zealand Stream

This stream is for New Zealand citizens who are Special Category (subclass 444) visa holders and have demonstrated commitment and contribution to Australia.

• Visa Holding: You must hold a Special Category Visa (subclass 444).
• Residency: You must have been usually resident in Australia for a continuous period of at least five years immediately before the date of application, and have commenced that period of usual residence on or before 19 February 2016.
• Income: You must have met a specific taxable income threshold (currently AUD $53,900) for at least three of the five income years immediately before application. One of these three years must be the most recently completed financial year (unless an exemption applies, such as for approved parental/carer's leave, or COVID-19 related impacts).
• Age: There is no age requirement for this stream.
• Skills Assessment/Points Test/Occupation List: These are not required for this stream.
• English: There is no specific English test requirement for the main applicant.

3. Hong Kong Stream

This stream is for holders of Hong Kong or British National (Overseas) passports who have held an eligible visa and demonstrated a commitment to Australia.

• Passport: You must hold a Hong Kong passport or a British National (Overseas) passport.
• Residency: You must have been usually resident in Australia for a continuous period of at least four years immediately before the date of application.
• Eligible Visa Holding: At the time of application, you must have held an eligible visa (Subclass 457, 482, or 485 granted on the basis of satisfying the primary criteria) for at least four years and complied with all conditions on that visa.
• Age: There is no age requirement for this stream.
• Skills Assessment/Points Test/Occupation List: These are not required for this stream.
• English: You must have at least Functional English (e.g., IELTS 4.5 average or equivalent), or be willing to pay the second visa application charge instalment.

Common Requirements for All Streams (unless exempted by the stream's criteria):

• Health and Character: You and all included family members must meet the Australian health and character requirements.
• Australian Values Statement: Applicants aged 18 years or older must sign the Australian Values Statement.
• English for Dependants: Adult dependants (18+) who do not have at least Functional English may be required to pay a second visa application charge instalment.
• Debts to the Australian Government: You or any family member must have no outstanding debts to the Australian Government, or have arranged to repay any debts.

This is a permanent visa for skilled workers who are nominated by an Australian State or Territory government agency to live and work in that state or territory.

• Nomination: Mandatory nomination by an Australian State or Territory government agency. You must be prepared to commit to living and working in the nominating state or territory for a minimum period (typically two years).
• Points Test: You must score at least the pass mark (currently 65 points) on the Department of Home Affairs points test, including the 5 points granted for state nomination. The actual points score required for an invitation can be higher depending on demand.
• Skills Assessment: A positive and valid skills assessment for your nominated occupation from the relevant Australian assessing authority is required.
• Occupation: Your nominated occupation must be on the relevant skilled occupation list for this visa, which is a broader list than the one for the Subclass 189 visa. State/Territory governments often have their own specific occupation lists and requirements.
• Age: Generally under 45 at the time of invitation to apply for the visa.
• English: At least Competent English (e.g., IELTS 6.0 in each band or equivalent). Higher English scores can provide additional points on the points test.
• Invitation: You must first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect. After submitting your EOI, certain States or Territories may also require you to submit their own Expression of Interest (EOI) or Registration of Interest (ROI). You can then be invited by the Department of Home Affairs to apply for the visa following nomination by a State or Territory.

This is a provisional (temporary) visa for skilled workers who are nominated by an Australian State or Territory government agency, or sponsored by an eligible relative, to live and work in a designated regional area of Australia. It is a pathway to permanent residency via the Subclass 191 visa after three years.

• Nomination/Sponsorship: You must be nominated by an Australian State or Territory government agency OR be sponsored by an eligible relative (who must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen, and resident in a designated regional area).
• Designated Regional Area: You must commit to living, working, and studying in a designated regional area of Australia (which includes all of Australia except Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane).
• Points Test: You must score at least the pass mark (currently 65 points) on the Department of Home Affairs points test, including the 15 points granted for State/Territory nomination or eligible family sponsorship.
• Skills Assessment: A positive and valid skills assessment for your nominated occupation from the relevant Australian assessing authority is required.
• Occupation: Your nominated occupation must be on the relevant skilled occupation list (a combined list including the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) and the Regional Occupation List (ROL)).
• Age: Generally under 45 at the time of invitation to apply for the visa.
• English: At least Competent English (e.g., IELTS 6.0 in each band or equivalent). Higher English scores can provide additional points on the points test.
• Invitation: You must first submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) in SkillSelect. After submitting your EOI, certain States or Territories may also require you to submit their own Expression of Interest (EOI) or Registration of Interest (ROI) (if not family-sponsored). You can then be invited by the Department of Home Affairs to apply for the visa following nomination by a State or Territory, or through family sponsorship.

• Eligible Provisional Visa: You must have held an eligible visa for at least three years immediately before applying. The eligible visas are the Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional (Provisional)) or Subclass 494 (Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional)) visa.
• Regional Residence: You must have lived in a designated regional area of Australia for at least three years while holding the provisional visa(s).
• Income Requirement: You must provide notices of assessment from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) showing you have met a specified minimum taxable income threshold for at least three income years while holding the provisional visa(s). Note: The minimum income threshold is set by the government and may be subject to change.
• Visa Conditions: You must have complied with the conditions of your provisional visa(s).
• Age, English, Skills: There are no specific new requirements for age, skills assessment, or English language proficiency for the Subclass 191 application itself, as these requirements were met for the grant of the Subclass 491 or 494 visa.