How Do I Move to Australia for Work?

Moving to Australia for work is absolutely achievable — but it’s not something you want to approach blindly. The key is understanding the visa pathway that fits your situation, then aligning your job search and paperwork accordingly.

Let’s walk through this step by step.

1. Understand Which Visa Pathway Fits You

Australia’s work migration system is largely skills-based. Most people moving permanently apply under the skilled migration program managed by the Australian Government via the Department of Home Affairs:

🔗 Official visa information:
https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/working-in-australia

The main pathways include:

• Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) – Permanent residence without employer sponsorship
• Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) – Permanent residence with state nomination
• Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491) – Temporary visa with pathway to PR
• Employer-Sponsored visas (subclass 482 / 186) – Sponsored directly by an employer

If you're a recent graduate or early-career professional, your eligibility often depends on whether your occupation is listed on Australia’s Skilled Occupation Lists.

You can read a breakdown of those lists here:
👉 https://brigenai.com/what-is-the-mltssl-in-australia/

2. Check If Your Occupation Is on a Skilled List

Australia uses occupation lists such as:

• MLTSSL (Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List)
• STSOL (Short-term Skilled Occupation List)

If your occupation is on the MLTSSL, your pathway to permanent residence is generally stronger and more straightforward.

If it’s on the STSOL, options may be more limited or employer-dependent.

This is where many people make mistakes — they apply before properly confirming eligibility.

3. Get a Skills Assessment

For skilled visas (189, 190, 491), you must complete a formal skills assessment through the relevant assessing authority for your occupation.

This verifies:

• Your qualifications
• Your work experience
• Whether you meet Australian standards

Without a positive skills assessment, you cannot proceed to lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI).

4. Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)

Australia uses a points-based system. Points are awarded for:

• Age
• English ability
• Work experience
• Education
• Partner skills
• State nomination (if applicable)

You must reach the minimum threshold (usually 65 points), but realistically, competitive occupations require much higher scores.

5. Start Your Job Search (Strategically)

If you’re going the employer-sponsored route, securing a job offer is critical.

Major Australian job platforms include:

• Seek
• Indeed Australia
• LinkedIn Jobs

The Australian job market values:

• Local experience
• Clear, achievement-focused CVs
• Professional LinkedIn presence

If you're applying from overseas, your resume should clearly state visa status and relocation timeline.

6. Budget for the Move

Relocating isn’t just about visa fees. You should plan for:

• Visa application fees (can range from AUD 3,000–8,000+)
• Skills assessment fees
• English test fees
• Medical checks
• Police certificates
• Flights
• Initial living costs (3–6 months recommended)

Australia has a high cost of living, particularly in cities like Sydney and Melbourne.

7. Consider Regional Opportunities

Many migrants improve their chances by targeting regional states such as:

• South Australia
• Tasmania
• Northern Territory
• Regional Queensland

Regional visas often have lower point thresholds and stronger nomination opportunities.

Final Advice (From Experience)

Moving to Australia for work is less about “trying your luck” and more about strategy.

Before you apply:

• Confirm your occupation list status
• Check realistic points scores
• Understand which states need your skills
• Plan your finances properly

If you're unsure where you stand, start with a structured assessment instead of guessing. The biggest delays I see happen when people apply for the wrong visa or misunderstand occupation requirements.

If you’d like help understanding your pathway options step-by-step, BRIGENAI provides tailored guidance to help you align your career goals with the right visa strategy.