Work in Australia

Australia has a structural labour shortage across healthcare, engineering, construction, IT, and trades — and its employer-sponsored visa system is designed to fill that gap. The Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) was restructured in December 2024 with lower experience requirements, a 456-occupation list, and a clearer Permanent Residence pathway. Salaries are high by global standards: the median full-time salary is A$90,500 gross per year, plus a mandatory 12% employer superannuation contribution on top. Worker protections are strong, with 20 days minimum annual leave and universal healthcare through Medicare.

Sydney and Melbourne are the largest hiring hubs. Perth dominates mining and resources. Brisbane and Adelaide are growing in healthcare and engineering. English is the sole working language. Australia's lifestyle — climate, outdoor culture, and safety — is a genuine draw, but the cost of living in Sydney and Melbourne is among the highest in the world. Regional areas offer lower costs and often faster visa processing.

Skilled professionals move to Australia through this route every year, across healthcare, engineering, IT, construction, and trades. The job search itself is the longest and hardest part — expect 3–9 months of applications before you land an offer in the current market. Once you have a signed offer, the visa process takes a further 3–8 months due to skills assessments, nomination processing, and visa application stages. Skills assessments are often the biggest bottleneck — start them early.

Important: These steps must happen in order. You cannot apply for an Australian employer-sponsored visa without a job offer from an approved Australian business sponsor. The job comes first, every time.