I tried to apply for an Australia work visa in 2019; can you guide me about the process and chances?
Australia's work migration still runs on two main routes: points-tested skilled visas like subclass 189, 190, and 491, and employer-sponsored visas like subclass 482 and 186. The legal minimum is 65 points, but competitive scores now run 80 to 95 or higher, so your old documents have expired.
Since your last attempt, Australia's immigration system has moved on, so restarting means treating this as a fresh application rather than picking up where you left off. The good news is the core pathways and process are still clear, and your realistic chances come down to a few specific, checkable factors like your age and your points score.
Main Visa Pathways To Consider
| Subclass | Type | Route |
|---|---|---|
| 189 | Skilled Independent | Permanent residency, no state or employer sponsorship needed, highly competitive |
| 190 | Skilled Nominated | Permanent residency requiring nomination from an Australian state or territory for extra points |
| 491 | Skilled Work Regional | 5-year provisional visa requiring you to live and work in a designated regional area |
| 482 | Skills in Demand (Temporary Skill Shortage) | Temporary visa tied to a sponsoring employer |
| 186 | Employer Nomination Scheme | Direct permanent residency, usually for high-demand skills or those transitioning from a 482 visa |
The Process And What Affects Your Chances
- Step 1: Check that your occupation is listed on Australia's current eligible skilled occupation lists
- Step 2: Get a fresh skills assessment from the relevant Australian assessing authority, such as Engineers Australia or ACS for IT
- Step 3: Retake an approved English test like IELTS or PTE Academic, aiming for the "Proficient" or "Superior" level for bonus points
- Step 4: Submit a fresh Expression of Interest through SkillSelect; the legal minimum is 65 points but invitation rounds now typically need 80 to 95 or more
- Step 5: If invited, you get 60 days to submit your full visa application with supporting documents
- Age matters heavily: you get maximum points between 25 and 32, decreasing after 33, and you become ineligible for general skilled migration after 45
My Advice
Do not try to reuse any document from your earlier attempt, since your skills assessment and English test have both expired by now. Start with a fresh skills assessment and an English test this month, and if your independent points score falls short, look seriously at a state nomination through subclass 190 or a regional visa through subclass 491 to boost your chances.
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