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Australia Work Visa For Indians - Everything You Need To Know

05-May-2023

10 min read

Indian nationals need a visa in order to work in Australia. Luckily, this post will guide you through everything you need to know, including the Australia work visa requirements, costs, and application process.

But first, let's take a look at some important visa information:

How much is an Australian work visa? AUD 1 330 - AUD 2770, depending on the visa type.

Australia work visa processing time: 7-12 months, depending on the type of visa.

Australian work visa from India validity: The validity is usually 2-4 years, depending on the type of work visa.

Sydney opera house and black metal bridge stretched across a body of water during daytime

What Is The Skillselect System?

In order to apply for an Australia work permit in 2023, you need an occupation that is on the skills shortage list.

The Skillselect is used to outline the skills of the Indian citizens on a point-based system. To check your potential point score, use the points calculator.

You will be given points on the following basis.

  • Skilled employment: If you have experience in an occupation listed in the Skilled Occupations List, you'll get points based on your years of experience.
  • Educational qualification: Your qualification must be related to your occupation (doctorate, bachelor’s, or master’s degree).
  • Professional year: If you have completed a Professional Year in Australia for at least 12 months in the last four years. You must have been in Accounting, ICT/Computing, or Engineering.

You must score at least 65 points in Australia to qualify for a visa under the General Skilled Migrant Program.

You can use the SkillSelect tool to determine if your skills are in demand depending on:

  • Australian qualifications.
  • Regional study.
  • Community language skills.
  • Spouse/partner skills and qualifications.
  • Age.
  • English language proficiency.

What Are The Different Types Of Australian Work Visas?

There are different types of work visas available. If you meet all the Australia work visa requirements, you'll be able to apply for your visa without any problems.

The different work visas include:

Short-Term Stream Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (subclass 482)

This visa enables Australian employers to address the worker shortage by bringing in skilled workers if an Australian citizen can't fill this position.

  • Visa cost: AUD1,330.
  • Visa validity and stay: 2-4 years.
  • Processing time: 8-70 days.
  • Obligations: You must start working within 90 days of your visa if you're outside Australia when the visa is granted. If you're in Australia when you receive your visa, you must start working 90 days from the visa issue date.

Medium-Term Stream Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (subclass 482)

This visa enables Australian employers to address the worker shortage by bringing in skilled workers if an Australian citizen can't fill this position.

  • Visa cost: From AUD2,770.
  • Visa validity and stay: Up to 4 years.
  • Processing time: 8-70 days.
  • Obligations: You must start working within 90 days of your visa if you're outside Australia when the visa is granted. If you're in Australia when you receive your visa, you must start working 90 days from the visa issue date.

Labor Agreement Stream Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (subclass 482)

This visa is for skilled workers nominated by employers with a Labour Agreement. It lets you live and work in Australia temporarily. Labor agreements are developed between the Australian Government (represented by the Department) and employers.

  • Visa cost: AUD2,770.
  • Validity and stay: 4 years.
  • Processing time: 15 days to 5 months.
  • Obligations: Your employer must have a labor agreement with the Australian government. You must start working within 90 days of your visa if you're outside Australia when the visa is granted. If you're in Australia when you receive your visa, you must start working 90 days from the visa issue date.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Subsequent Entrant Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (Subclass 482)

This visa is for family members of work visa holders applying wishing to join the primary subclass work visa holder in Australia.

  • Cost: From AUD1,330.
  • Validity and stay: You can stay for as long as your family members' visa is valid.
  • Obligations: Check visa conditons.
Sydney Opera house lit up by golden light during sunset

What Are The Australia Work Visa Eligibility Requirements For Indians?

To be eligible to apply for a work visa for Australia, you must:

  • Be nominated for a skilled position by an approved sponsor
  • Have the right skills to do the job
  • Meet the relevant English language requirements

What Are The Australia Work Visa Required Documents?

Before you start your Australian work visa for Indians application process, there are things you will need to arrange before you apply.

You may have to provide documents for your identity, character, skills, work experience, health, and English language skills.

Identity Documents

They need proof of your identity, like your valid passport. If you can't prove your identity:

  • They’ll refuse your Australian work visa application.
  • They might not grant you another visa for 10 years.
  • They might not grant any family members you listed on your application a visa for 10 years.
  • Provide the pages of your current passport showing your photo, personal details, passport issue, and expiry dates.

Also, provide proof of a change of name if this applies. Documents that prove a change of name include:

  • A marriage or divorce certificate.
  • Change name documents from an Australian Registry of Births, Deaths, and Marriages or the relevant overseas authority.
  • Documents that show other names you have been known by deed poll certificate statutory declaration if the differences are minor.

Skill And Occupation Documents

If you must provide a skills assessment or proof that you have arranged to obtain one, you need the following:

  • A copy of relevant qualification certificates (professional and educational).
  • A copy of any required registration/licensing.
  • Previous employment reference.
  • Your curriculum vitae or resumé.
  • Previous employment references.

Registration Or Licensing

You must provide evidence from the relevant Australian registration or licensing authority. In the state or territory in which you will be working) that you hold or will be able to meet necessary registration or licensing requirements.

The registration or licensing information must specify the registration or license type held and the registration or license name and contact details for the registration or licensing authority.

Your approved sponsor should be able to provide you with the necessary licensing and registration information.

Curriculum Vitae Or Resume

The Curriculum vitae (CV) or resumé must include full employment and educational history, including dates and positions held for at least the last 5 years.

Employment References

Your employment references should cover when you worked a job appropriate for your skill level. They must be on the letterhead of the employer and include the following:

  • The name, title, and contact details of the referee.
  • Employment details of your position.
  • Dates of service.

English Language Proficiency Documents

When applying for the Temporary Skill Shortage work visa for Australia for Indians (subclass 482), you’re required to demonstrate that you meet specific minimum English language proficiency standards by taking and achieving a specific result in an English language test.

Provide proof that you meet the minimum English language proficiency standards.

There are exemptions for passport holders of the following countries: Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom (UK), and the United States of America (USA)

Health Insurance

Suppose you are an applicant for a work visa for Australia, including subclass 482 and subclass 485. In that case, you can purchase Overseas Visitors Health Cover to meet your needs. Make sure you select a policy that meets your work visa for Australia from India requirements.

Biometrics

The Australia department of home affairs might ask for biometrics (fingerprints and photos). They’ll let you know if you need to provide them. If you didn't send us all the documents when you applied, attach them as soon as possible in ImmiAccount.

Sydney opera house surrounded by a body of water with boats during daytime

How To Apply For Australia Work Visa For Indians?

As an Indian passport holder, you can apply for an Australia work permit visa online. However, it is highly recommended that you apply via ImmiAccount as it is the most efficient way.

To apply for your visa online, you must do the following:

Step 1: Log in to your ImmiAccount

Log in or create an ImmiAccount. Then, you need to log in to your account and read through the information. Once you're done, click "continue." This will take you to another page where you can start a new application.

Step 2: Complete the Australia visa application form

Before you get to the visa application form, you'll need to select the types of visa you want to apply for. Only then can you start to complete the application form. You'll need to provide information like your name, surname, passport number, travel dates, type of visa, address in Australia, etc.

Step 3: Upload your required documents

Next, you must attach your supporting documents mentioned earlier in this post. Make sure that all the documents are clear scanned copies of the original.

Step 4: Pay the visa fee

Before submitting your application, you must pay the application fee through the secure online payment portal. They will not process your application until you pay the visa fee.

You're done! Now all you have to do is wait for processing. Then, you'll receive your visa through the registered email.

What Happens After Applying For Australia Work Visa For Indians?

They will let you know when they’ve received your Australia Work visa for Indian application.

  • Status updates, they can’t give updates on applications within the standard processing time. However, they might ask for more information. The department of home affairs is not obligated to request further information or documents.
  • Travel after you apply, do not arrange to travel to Australia until they let you know, in writing, that they have granted you the work visa for Australia.

They will let you know your visa grant number, the date your visa starts, and your visa conditions. Keep a copy of the decision with you when in Australia.

They will let you know if they refuse your Australia work visa for Indians in writing. They will tell you why it was refused, whether you have a right to review the decision, and they won't refund the application fee.

Aerial view of buildings in Australia on the edge of a cliff surrounded by water

Overview Of The Work Visa For Australia

This section covers everything else you need to know when applying for an Australian work visa for Indians. Let's jump right in!

What Are Australia Work Visa Fees For Indians?

The Australia work visa cost differs depending on the type of work permit you apply for. The visa fees are as follows:

  • Short-term stream Temporary Skill Shortage work visa for Australia for Indians (subclass 482) is AUD 1 330.
  • Medium-term stream Temporary Skill Shortage work visa for Australia for Indians (subclass 482) is AUD 2 770.
  • The labor agreement streams Temporary Skill Shortage work visa for Australia for Indians (subclass 482) is AUD 2 770. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​- The subsequent entrant Temporary Skill Shortage work visa for Australia for Indians (subclass 482) is AUD 1 330.

What Is The Australia Work Visa Processing Time?

The Australia work visa for Indians can be anywhere from 30 days to 15 months. However, the processing time may differ depending on the visa you apply for:

Short-term stream

  • 25% of applications: 44 days
  • 50% of applications: 83 days
  • 75% of applications: 12 months
  • 90% of applications: 15 months

Medium-term stream

  • 25% of applications: 30 days
  • 50% of applications: 46 days
  • 75% of applications: 3 months
  • 90% of applications: 9 months

Labor Agreement Stream

  • 25% of applications: 34 days
  • 50% of applications: 50 days
  • 75% of applications: 3 months
  • 90% of applications: 7 months

Subsequent entrant

Unfortunately, the Processing times are not available for the subsequent entrant.

Aerial few of the Sydney opera house surrounded by water and lights during night time

All Done!

Now you know how do you determine the category of Australia work visa for Indians you are eligible for!

So ensure that you satisfy the Australia work visa for Indians requirements of the skillSelect. Also, remember that your employer completes an online sponsorship form before you can apply for the Australia work visa for Indians.

The information in this post is from reliable sources like Australia Department of Home Affairs.

This post was also fact-checked and written with AI assistance.

Written By: Laliq Schuman
Fact Checked By: Nikhita Rathod

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is A SkillSelect?

SkillSelect is an online application process that enables skilled workers interested in Australia through the submission of an Expression of Interest (EOI).

What Is The Difference Between A Visa And A Work Permit?

A visa is a document acquired by someone to enter a specific country. In contrast, a work permit is an employment letter issued by an employer to the employee needed for them to enter the country.

Types of Australia Visa For Indians

This is a list of the most common Australian visa options if you are unsure which visa suits you:

  • Temporary Australia Work Visa For Indians
  • Employer Nomination Scheme: Under this scheme, a permanent work visa is given to workers sponsored by their companies.
  • Subclass 489 Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa is for skilled workers who want to live and work in regional Australia. Although, you can bring your family if you are granted this visa. You might be able to apply for the Skilled Regional (Permanent) visa (subclass 887).
  • Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa is a visa for skilled people nominated by a state or territory government to live and work in regional Australia.
  • Visitor Visas.
  • Australia student visa.
  • Australia holiday working visa: The Australia holiday working visa allows people between 18 and 30 years to have their first extended holiday in Australia while working to fund their trip.
Can I Get An Australia Work Permit Without A Job Offer?

Yes, you can. You can apply for a Skill Independent Visa Subclass 189 without a job offer.

What Jobs Are In Demand In Australia?

Here is a list of jobs that are in demand in Australia:

  • Barista.
  • Cleaner.
  • Pharmacy assistant.
  • Warehouse worker.
  • Chef.
  • Security guard.
  • Early childhood teacher.
  • Industrial engineer.
  • Registered nurse.
Can I Get Permanent Residency With A Work Visa For Australia?

Most of the work visas are permanent visas, which give you automatic permanent residency. However, if you have a temporary work visa, you can apply for permanent residency after working In Australia for a few years.

Is There An Age Limit For An Australian Work Visa From India?

Yes, but only for most of the visas. Usually, the age limit is 45 or 50 years. However, for some Australian work visas, there are no age limits. This will change depending on the type of work visa for Australia.

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