Australia
Commonwealth of Australia · Capital: Canberra
Australia's SkillSelect system invites the highest-ranked candidates from an Expression of Interest pool. Points reward age, English, experience and qualifications, while states and territories nominate candidates for occupations they need most. Lifestyle and salaries are a major draw.
Migration statistics
Who is arriving
Top source countries and the make-up of recent arrivals into Australia.
Policy overview
6 visa routes into Australia
Eligibility, fees, processing times and whether each route leads to permanent residence.
Skilled Independent Visa
SkilledSubclass 189
Points-tested permanent visa for skilled workers without employer or state sponsorship.
Eligibility
- Occupation on the relevant list
- Positive skills assessment
- Competent English
- Invitation from SkillSelect
Document checklist (10 items)
Core
Professional
Financial
Background
Skilled Nominated Visa
SkilledSubclass 190
State/territory-nominated permanent visa granting an extra 5 points and access to broader occupation lists.
Eligibility
- Nomination by a state/territory
- Positive skills assessment
- Occupation on the state list
- Competent English
Document checklist (11 items)
Core
Professional
Financial
Background
Subclass 482
Employer-sponsored temporary visa (replaced the TSS on 7 December 2024) with Specialist Skills and Core Skills streams and a PR pathway.
Eligibility
- Sponsoring employer
- Nominated occupation
- Relevant skills/experience
- Core Skills salary threshold AUD 79,423 from 1 July 2026 (Specialist Skills AUD 146,576)
Document checklist (10 items)
Core
Professional
Background
Student Visa
StudentSubclass 500
Study at a registered course, with a Temporary Graduate visa offering post-study work rights.
Eligibility
- Confirmation of Enrolment
- Genuine Student requirement
- Financial capacity
- English proficiency
Document checklist (10 items)
Core
Professional
Financial
Background
Partner Visa
Family820/801
Join a spouse, partner or close family member who is a citizen or resident.
Eligibility
- Genuine relationship to a citizen/resident
- Sponsor meets income/housing rules
- Relationship evidence
Document checklist (9 items)
Core
Professional
Financial
Background
National Innovation Visa
Talent858
Permanent residence for globally recognised high achievers.
Eligibility
- International recognition in a target sector
- Ongoing eminence
- Australian benefit
Document checklist (8 items)
Core
Professional
Financial
Background
Economic context
The numbers behind the move
Pay reflects the local market in Australia, what you'd typically earn there, not your current salary.
Skill shortages
Sectors actively recruiting from abroad
Where Australia needs foreign talent most, and what those roles pay.
Healthcare
Health and aged-care top every state's skilled-occupation list.
Engineering & mining
Resources and infrastructure drive premium engineering demand.
Technology
Persistent shortage of cyber and senior software talent.
Skilled trades
Housing and construction targets created acute trades demand.
Education
Maths, science and special-ed teachers are in national shortage.
Agriculture
Regional and agricultural roles favoured for regional visas.
Recent changes
What's changed lately
Recent policy changes that affect migrants, newest first.
No policy changes recorded in the last 90 days. The intelligence agent is monitoring.
Quality of life
What living there feels like
Melbourne
Liveability leaderConsistently top-ranked for liveability, with a deep professional and university market.
- Cost index
- 80
- 1-bed rent
- $1,900
- Quality
- 84
Sydney
Biggest economyAustralia's largest economy and most iconic city, superb lifestyle, the priciest housing.
- Cost index
- 90
- 1-bed rent
- $2,600
- Quality
- 83
Brisbane
Sunbelt growthWarmer, cheaper than Sydney and booming ahead of the 2032 Olympics.
- Cost index
- 75
- 1-bed rent
- $1,700
- Quality
- 83
Perth
Resources wealthHigh mining-sector wages, beaches and a relaxed, spacious lifestyle.
- Cost index
- 74
- 1-bed rent
- $1,650
- Quality
- 82
Adelaide
Affordable & calmThe most affordable mainland capital, safe and relaxed with great wine regions.
- Cost index
- 70
- 1-bed rent
- $1,450
- Quality
- 82
Gold Coast
Beach lifestyleA famous beach strip drawing retirees and remote workers chasing sun and surf.
- Cost index
- 74
- 1-bed rent
- $1,600
- Quality
- 83
Canberra
Government & high incomesStable public-sector jobs, the highest median incomes and excellent services.
- Cost index
- 78
- 1-bed rent
- $1,750
- Quality
- 84
Hobart
Nature & calmA small, scenic and affordable capital with clean air and a slower pace.
- Cost index
- 68
- 1-bed rent
- $1,400
- Quality
- 82
Living essentials
The practical day-to-day of settling in Australia.
Universal Medicare for residents; some visas require private health insurance.
Excellent public and private schools; globally ranked universities (high fees for internationals).
High, especially Sydney/Melbourne housing; strong salaries offset it.
Good in cities (NBN); can be slower and pricier than peers.
Warm to hot; temperate south, tropical north, arid centre.
Safety & climate
The reception you can expect
How welcoming the public and political mood is, how safe it is, and how geopolitically stable the country is right now.
Anti-migrant sentiment
trendSkilled migration is well-supported; debate centres on intake size and housing.
Higher = more hostile public/political climate.
Geopolitical stability
A composite of governance, security and regional-risk signals. Higher means a more predictable environment for settling long term.
Higher = more stable.
Safety
Safe overall; some property crime in larger metros.
Higher = safer (crime index 42/100).
Where to live
Which Australia city fits you?
Cities matched to who you are, career, family, retirement, study or remote work. We flag the ones to consider and the ones to approach with care.
Brisbane
Warm and rising
Warmer, cheaper than Sydney and booming ahead of the 2032 Olympics.
Melbourne
Culture capital
Consistently top-ranked for liveability, with a deep professional and university market.
Canberra
Planned, prosperous capital
Stable public-sector jobs, the highest median incomes and excellent services.
Adelaide
Easygoing wine country
The most affordable mainland capital, safe and relaxed with great wine regions.
Hobart
Boutique island capital
A small, scenic and affordable capital with clean air and a slower pace.
Perth
Sunny and spacious
High mining-sector wages, beaches and a relaxed, spacious lifestyle.
Sydney
Harbour-city glamour
Australia's largest economy and most iconic city, superb lifestyle, the priciest housing.
Gold Coast
Surf and sun
A famous beach strip drawing retirees and remote workers chasing sun and surf.
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