Australia Immigration Criteria: What You Need to Qualify for a Visa

There is no single set of “Australia immigration criteria”. The requirements depend on the visa pathway you are pursuing. A skilled migrant may need an eligible occupation, skills assessment, English ability, sufficient points and an invitation. An employer-sponsored applicant needs an eligible sponsoring business and nominated position. A Partner visa applicant must establish a qualifying relationship. A Student visa applicant must satisfy an entirely different set of requirements.

There Is No Single Australian Immigration Test

Australia has many visa subclasses, each created for a different purpose.

A person seeking permanent skilled migration is assessed differently from:

• a worker sponsored by an Australian employer
• the spouse of an Australian citizen
• an international student
• a parent of an Australian citizen
• a visitor coming temporarily to Australia

This distinction matters because online advice often takes the requirements for one visa program and presents them as though they apply to everybody.

They do not.

1. Skilled Migration Criteria

Australia’s principal points-tested skilled migration pathways include:

• Subclass 189 — Skilled Independent visa
• Subclass 190 — Skilled Nominated visa
• Subclass 491 — Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa

Although the requirements differ between these visas, important criteria can include:

• being under 45 when invited
• having an eligible nominated occupation
• obtaining a suitable skills assessment
• meeting the English requirement
• meeting the points-test threshold
• submitting an Expression of Interest through SkillSelect
• receiving an invitation to apply

The 65-Point Threshold

The 189, 190 and 491 visas are points-tested.

The current threshold is 65 points.

But this is only the threshold for eligibility for invitation.

It does not mean that an applicant with 65 points will receive an invitation.

For the full skilled migration framework, see:

Skilled Visa Australia: 189, 190 and 491
.

2. Employer-Sponsored Visa Criteria

Employer sponsorship is a separate immigration pathway.

The employee is not generally competing in the SkillSelect points system.

Instead, eligibility can depend on three separate parts of the process:

• the employer
• the nominated position
• the visa applicant

Australia’s employer-sponsored visa system includes pathways such as:

• Subclass 482 — Skills in Demand visa
• Subclass 186 — Employer Nomination Scheme visa
• Subclass 494 — Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa

Depending on the pathway, relevant criteria can include:

• an eligible Australian business
• a genuine position
• an eligible occupation
• salary requirements
• relevant qualifications or experience
• English ability
• skills assessment where required
• labour market testing where applicable

Labour agreements can also provide employer-sponsored pathways where the standard programs do not adequately address the employer’s workforce need.

For the detailed framework, see:

Employer Sponsored Visas Australia
.

3. Partner Visa Criteria

Partner migration works completely differently from points-tested skilled migration.

There is no skilled occupation requirement and no migration points test.

The central issue is whether the applicant qualifies as the spouse or de facto partner of:

• an Australian citizen
• an Australian permanent resident
• an eligible New Zealand citizen

Australia has separate onshore and offshore Partner visa pathways.

• Subclass 820 / 801 — generally the onshore Partner pathway
• Subclass 309 / 100 — generally the offshore Partner pathway

The relationship evidence can involve:

• financial aspects of the relationship
• the nature of the household
• social aspects of the relationship
• the nature of the couple’s commitment to one another

Other issues can include:

• sponsor eligibility
• previous sponsorship history
• character
• health
• immigration status
• whether an application can validly be lodged in Australia

Read:

Partner Visa Australia Guide
.

4. Student Visa Criteria

The subclass 500 Student visa has a different purpose again.

The primary purpose of the visa is study in Australia.

Relevant requirements can include:

• enrolment in an eligible Australian course
• a valid Confirmation of Enrolment
• satisfying the Genuine Student requirement
• Overseas Student Health Cover
• English-language evidence where required
• financial evidence where required
• health
• character
• welfare arrangements for younger applicants

The Genuine Student requirement focuses on whether studying in Australia is the primary reason for the Student visa application.

Importantly, the fact that a genuine student may later consider permanent migration does not by itself mean they fail the Genuine Student requirement.

Study Is Not Automatically a Migration Pathway

A Student visa should not automatically be treated as a route to permanent residence.

Whether study later assists a migration strategy depends on matters such as:

• the qualification obtained
• the occupation
• skills assessment requirements
• age
• English
• points
• state nomination settings
• employer sponsorship opportunities

A person who already has a viable skilled or employer-sponsored migration pathway should carefully consider whether international student fees add any genuine migration advantage.

5. Family Migration Criteria

Family visas are based primarily on the relevant family relationship rather than occupation or points.

They can include pathways for:

• partners
• parents
• dependent children
• certain other eligible relatives

The criteria vary substantially between subclasses.

Parent visa applications, for example, can involve issues such as:

• the applicant’s relationship to the sponsoring child
• the sponsor’s Australian status
• the Balance of Family Test for relevant subclasses
• age requirements for aged-parent subclasses
• health and character requirements
• Assurance of Support requirements for some visas

There are also significant differences between permanent Parent visas, Aged Parent visas, Contributory Parent visas and the temporary Sponsored Parent visa.

6. Visitor Visa Criteria

Visitor visas are temporary visas.

The central question is generally whether the applicant genuinely intends to visit Australia temporarily for the purpose permitted by the visa.

Relevant issues can include:

• the purpose of travel
• financial circumstances
• family circumstances
• employment
• previous travel history
• previous Australian visa history
• the proposed length of stay

A Visitor visa should not be treated as a substitute for a visa designed for permanent migration or ongoing employment.

7. Health Requirements

Australia’s health requirement can apply across many different visa categories.

Whether health examinations are required depends on the visa and the applicant’s individual circumstances.

The Department may consider issues including:

• public health risk
• likely healthcare costs
• likely community-service costs
• demand on services that are in short supply

Having a medical condition does not automatically mean a visa will be refused.

For more information, see:

Australia Visa Medical Check
.

8. Character Requirements

Character requirements are also relevant across a wide range of visa subclasses.

Issues can arise from:

• criminal convictions
• sentences of imprisonment
• pending criminal matters
• associations with criminal organisations
• previous immigration conduct
• other matters relevant to Australia’s character provisions

Applicants should disclose information accurately rather than assuming an old conviction or other issue is irrelevant.

9. Immigration History Can Matter

A person’s previous Australian immigration history can affect a later application.

Relevant issues can include:

• previous visa refusals
• visa cancellations
• previous overstays
• visa-condition breaches
• false or incorrect information given in earlier applications
• restrictions on making a further visa application while in Australia

This is particularly important for applicants already in Australia.

10. Making a Valid Application Is a Separate Requirement

A person can satisfy the substantive eligibility criteria for a visa and still be unable to make a valid application in their present circumstances.

Application requirements can involve:

• where the applicant is physically located
• the visa currently held
• conditions on the current visa
• the prescribed application method
• required charges
• who can be included in the application

This is why visa eligibility should be considered together with the legal requirements for making the application.

For the underlying legal framework, see:

Australia Migration Law
.

Time of Application and Time of Decision

Australian visa criteria do not all need to be satisfied at the same point in time.

Depending on the visa, a requirement may need to be satisfied:

• when the application is lodged
• when an invitation is issued
• when the Department makes its decision
• throughout the entire application process

This timing distinction can materially affect an applicant’s strategy.

Eligibility Does Not Guarantee Visa Grant

This principle applies well beyond skilled migration.

An applicant may appear to meet the basic eligibility requirements but still face issues involving:

• evidence
• credibility
• health
• character
• sponsor eligibility
• occupation assessment
• relationship evidence
• immigration history

The relevant question is therefore not simply whether somebody appears eligible after reading a checklist.

The question is whether the available evidence demonstrates that the legal criteria are actually satisfied.

Common Australia Immigration Criteria Mistakes

• assuming every Australian visa has an age limit
• assuming every visa uses the points test
• assuming 65 skilled migration points guarantees an invitation
• assuming every employer-sponsored visa requires the same occupation or experience
• treating Partner visas as document checklists rather than relationship-based applications
• assuming Australian study automatically creates permanent residence eligibility
• ignoring health or character problems until late in the application
• overlooking restrictions on making an application while in Australia
• relying on criteria applying to a different visa subclass
• using outdated online information

Australia Immigration Criteria FAQs

What are the basic requirements to immigrate to Australia?

There is no universal set of requirements. The criteria depend on whether you are seeking skilled migration, employer sponsorship, family migration, study or another visa pathway.

Do I need to be under 45 to migrate to Australia?

Not for every visa. The points-tested 189, 190 and 491 skilled visas generally require applicants to be under 45 when invited, but different age rules apply to other visa categories.

Do I need 65 points?

Only for the points-tested 189, 190 and 491 skilled migration pathways. Other visas, including Partner visas and employer-sponsored visas, do not use the same points test.

Do I need a skills assessment?

It depends on the visa and occupation. A suitable skills assessment is central to points-tested skilled migration and is also required in some other migration pathways, but it is not a universal Australian visa requirement.

Do I need an Australian job offer?

Not for standard 189, 190 or 491 points-tested skilled migration. Employer-sponsored visas are different and require an Australian employer to support the relevant application or nomination.

Can I immigrate to Australia if I am over 45?

Potentially. Points-tested skilled migration may no longer be available, but depending on your circumstances there may be employer-sponsored, Partner, family or other pathways.

Do all Australian visas require English testing?

No. English requirements differ considerably between visa subclasses. Some require formal test results, some allow alternative evidence, and some do not impose the same English criterion.

Can health problems prevent an Australian visa?

Potentially, but a medical condition does not automatically mean refusal. The effect depends on the visa, the medical circumstances and the health criterion applying to the application.

Does meeting all the criteria guarantee my visa?

Not necessarily. The Department must be satisfied that the applicable legal criteria are met based on the evidence provided.

Related Immigration Guides

• Migration Visa Australia — Choosing a Pathway
• Skilled Visa Australia — 189, 190 and 491
• Employer Sponsored Visas Australia
• Partner Visa Australia Guide
• Australia Migration Law
• Australia Visa Medical Check

Official Australian Visa Information

Visa criteria change and should always be checked against the requirements applying at the time of application.

For current government information, see:

Department of Home Affairs — Visa List
.