Step-by-Step Guide To Australian Work Visa Application
The process of applying to an Australian skilled work visa may resemble the experience of entering a maze. The lack of a specific plan will inevitably lead to delays. It is essential to take a systematic approach regardless of whether you want to make a permanent application under the Subclass 189 or you want State nomination under the Subclass 190.
Pr-Application Essentials (The Preparation)
The groundwork that has been done prior to you actually dealing with the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) is what will determine your success on application.
Step 1: Selecting the appropriate Visa Subclass (189 vs 190 vs 482)
The initial step that you have to take is to choose the right visa route depending on the situation:
- Skilled Independent (189): This is offered to the top applicants in high demand occupations. No nomination or employment opportunity needed.
- Skilled Nominated (190): The candidate must be nominated by the State and must also show commitment to reside in the state at least in the minimum period. Lower point threshold than the 189.
- Temporary Sponsored (482): This needs an Australian employer to offer a job.

ANZSCO Code and Assessment of Skills
It is the most important preliminary measure.
- You need to find the appropriate ANZSCO code for your occupation and the appropriate assessing body (e.g. Engineers Australia, ACS, VETASSESS).
- Sign the Skills assessment Australia preparation guide, collect all the Required documents in skills assessment Australia (typically qualification certificates, detailed CV, and work references). Skilled visas require a positive assessment.
English Test and Calculation of the points
You are required to demonstrate proficiency in the English language and in points-tested visa (189, 190, 491) you have to score competitively.
- English Test Requirements (IELTS/PTE) to Australian Work Visa: Prepare your test and get the required score to get your type of visa (usually Competent, Proficient, Superior).
- Find Australian EOI Points Score: Enter your age, education, experience, and level of English into the official points test calculator to get the score. Target 80 + to achieve a competitive advantage.
Formal Application Stages (The SkillSelect Process)
After the preparation, the next step is formal submission administered through the SkillSelect system.
Submission of Expression of Interest (EOI) Australia SkillSelect
EOI is a document that is submitted electronically and it indicates your desire to get a visa. Neither is the application of the visa.
- What is incorporated in it: Your own information, test results of skills evaluation, and English test score, and points claimed.
- 190 Applicants: In case you are applying under Subclass 190, then you are required to apply to the State nomination at the same time or immediately after you have submitted your EOI depending on the states requirements.
Waiting to Invitation to Apply (ITA) Australia
- After submission, your EOI is combined and compared with other candidates in terms of your points score and occupation.
- Invitation rounds (typically monthly) are carried out by the Department of Home Affairs and an ITA is issued to the top performers.
- This waiting time is very fluctuating. Take this time on Gathering evidence to apply Visa Australia.
Final Lodgement and Visa Grant
When you are awarded an ITA, you are given a time frame (normally 60 days) within which you must submit the final and complete visa application.
Last Visa Application and Remittance
- Getting Evidence: Now you have to submit certified copies of all the documents that support your EOI claims. This will involve identity documents, skills evaluation, job history, as well as English results.
- Obtaining Australian Visa Application Fee 2025: Submit the application through the web and pay the hefty first instalment of the Cost and processing time Australian work visa application.
Health and Character Checks (Police/Medical)
These are normally the final evidences that are needed.
- Character Checks: Provide police clearance certificates of any country where you have resided 12 months or more during the past 10 years.
- Medical Checks: Have your full health check-up done with a panel physician provided by the DHA.
FAQs
How will I be treated in case my points score is different when my EOI has been submitted?
Your EOI should also be updated every time your points change (e.g. you age up and lose some points, or you do some extra study and gain more points). Failure to do this may result in visa refusal.
Does the application of Australian work visa apply the same to all applicants?
No. The prices are standard, and the overall is more expensive with members of the family. The time taken to process visa after ITA Australia will depend on your occupation, visa subclass (189/190/491) and completeness of your documents.
Why is a State nomination the primary advantage of the Subclass 190 visa?
The state nomination will give you an extra 5 points, and in most cases, it will enable you to be assigned to an ITA with a lower total points score than the 189 visa, which will greatly help.
Do the English test (IELTS/PTE) requirements to obtain an Australian work visa differ between the 482 visa?
Yes. The Subclass 482 visa does not typically have a high standard of English proficiency (e.g. IELTS 5.0 overall) as compared to the points-tested permanent visas (189/190): which in many cases demand Proficient English (IELTS 7.0) to get a competitive score.
Should I be issued a Visa grant letter and conditions explained what is the first thing I should do?
Take caution with the First entry date condition Australian visa. Before this date, you need to travel to Australia in order to validate the visa. Our first steps after arrival are therefore, firstly to apply to take out a Tax File Number (TFN) application on arrival and secondly to open a bank account.
Final Thought
This is to say that the best way to combat delays in the processing of your visa application is following this Step-by-Step Guide to the Australian Work Visa Application. Focus on the pre-application procedures- Skills assessment Australia preparation guide and attaining high score when you Calculate points score for Australian EOI. Having a complete application, you reduce the Visa application timeline Australia skilled migration and quickly get to the last stage which is the visa grant.
Disclaimer
This article is informative and educative in nature. The process of the Australian work visa application, fees (e.g., Paying Australian visa application fee 2025) and certain requirements are outlined by the Australian Department of Home Affairs and are changeable. It is recommended that the reader should confirm any information in the official government site or a registered migration agent before coming up with any decision.