Points-tested skilled visas grant permanent residence directly; employer-sponsored visas lead there within a few years.
Permanent residence: 0 years. Skilled independent and nominated visas are permanent from day one; employer-sponsored workers can move to permanent residence after 2 years.
Citizenship: 4 years. 4 years of residence, including 1 year as a permanent resident.
| Route | Valid for | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Skills in Demand (subclass 482) Employer-sponsored temporary visa that replaced the TSS visa in December 2024, with salary-based streams. | Up to 4 years | — |
| Skilled Independent (subclass 189) Permanent visa for people in listed occupations who pass a skills assessment and are invited on points. | Permanent | — |
| National Innovation visa (subclass 858) Permanent visa for exceptional talent in priority sectors, by invitation after an expression of interest. | Permanent | — |
| Student visa (subclass 500) For students enrolled in a registered course; graduates can apply for a temporary graduate visa. | Up to 5 years | — |