| Visa Type | Visa duration | SkillSelect expression of interest (EOI) required | Sponsorship required | Required to work in regional Australia | Points tested visa | Skill/qualification requirements | Other eligibility requirements |
| Temporary Work (Skilled) visa (subclass 457) | From one day up to four years | SkillSelect EOI is optional for this visa | Yes, by an employer | No, unless approved prior to September 2009 under regional certification arrangement | No | Occupation must be on the prevailing Consolidated Skilled Occupations List and applicant must have the skills necessary to perform the occupation. Applicant must also have the necessary English language skills unless exempted | After a period of employment of two years in the same position an employer may be able to sponsor a subclass 457 visa holder through the Temporary Residence Transition stream under ENS or RSMS (see below) |
| Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa (subclass 186) | Permanent | SkillSelect EOI is optional for this visa | Yes, by an employer | No | No | Require a skills assessment by the relevant Australian authority and three years’ work experience, unless exempt Relevant registration or licensing must be held if required | Occupation must be on the Consolidated Sponsored Occupation List. Employee is to be paid at least the same as an Australian in the same occupation in the same location
Must be: • Under 50, unless exempt |
| Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) visa (subclass 187) Direct Entry stream | Permanent | SkillSelect EOI is optional for this visa | Yes, by a regional employer | Yes | No | Must have a related Australian or overseas equivalent qualification or be exempt Overseas qualified trades workers will need to have their skills assessed by Trades Recognition Australia Relevant registration or licensing must be held if required | Occupation must be an ANZSCO skill level 1-3. Employee is to be paid at least the same as an Australian in the same occupation in the same location
Must be: • Under 50, unless exempt |
| Visa Type | Visa duration | SkillSelect expression of interest (EOI) required | Sponsorship required | Required to work in regional Australia | Points tested visa | Skill/qualification requirements | Other eligibility requirements |
| Skilled – Independent visa (subclass 189) | Permanent | SkillSelect EOI is mandatory | No | No | Yes | Nominated occupation must be on the applicable Consolidated Sponsored Occupation List (CSOL) and skills assessed by relevant assessing authority | Must be:
• Invited to apply |
| Skilled – Nominated visa (subclass 190) | Permanent | SkillSelect EOI is mandatory | Yes, applicant must be nominated by a state/territory government | No | Yes | Nominated occupation must be on the applicable Consolidated Sponsored Occupation List (CSOL) and skills assessed by relevant assessing authority | Must be:
• Invited to apply |
| Skilled – Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489) Sponsored | Up to four years | SkillSelect EOI is mandatory unless renewing a provisional visa | Yes, an applicant must be sponsored by an eligible relative | Yes | Yes | Nominated occupation must be on the applicable Skilled Occupation List (SOL) and skills assessed by relevant assessing authority | Must be:
• Invited to apply |