Move to
Australia
World\'s highest minimum wage, sunshine lifestyle, and a points-based immigration system that rewards skills. Build your future Down Under.
Min wage/hour AUD (world\'s highest)
Minimum points required
Average visa processing
Immigration Pathways to Australia
Seven distinct visa pathways to permanent residency. Choose based on your skills, experience, and circumstances.
Key Requirements
- •Age: 18-45 (max 30 points at 25-32)
- •English: Superior IELTS/PTE 79+ = 20 pts, Proficient 65+ = 10 pts
- •Bachelor's degree minimum (15 pts)
- •3+ years work experience
- •Occupation on Skilled Occupation List (SOL)
- •Minimum 65 points (competitive: 85-95+)
- •No state sponsorship needed
Processing Time
6-12 months
Success Rate
~80-85% for invited candidates
Visa Cost
AUD $3,500-4,500
Best For
Self-sponsored skilled workers, no location restriction
Points System Deep Dive
Australia uses a points-based system for skilled migration. Higher points = faster invitation. Minimum 65 required, competitive is 85+.
Quick Points Estimate
30 pts
Superior = 20 pts
10 pts
✓ Eligible for invitation (borderline)
How Australians Score Points
Age
Max 30 pts- • 25-32 years: 30 pts (max)
- • 33-37 years: 25 pts
- • 38-42 years: 20 pts
- • 43-44 years: 15 pts
- • 45+ years: 0 pts
English Language
Max 20 pts- • Superior (PTE 79+): 20 pts
- • Proficient (PTE 65-78): 10 pts
- • Competent (PTE 50-64): 0 pts
Education & Qualifications
Max 20 pts- • PhD: 20 pts
- • Master\'s or Bachelor\'s: 15 pts
- • Diploma: 10 pts
Overseas Work Experience
Max 15 pts- • 8+ years: 15 pts
- • 5-7 years: 10 pts
- • 3-4 years: 5 pts
Bonus Points
Up to +15 pts- • State nomination (190): +5 pts
- • Regional nomination (491): +15 pts
- • Australian partner: +10 pts
- • Young graduate (under 25): +5 pts
Important Notes on Points
- • Minimum 65 points required to qualify
- • Competitive usually means 85+ (varies by occupation and month)
- • Invitation to Apply (ITA) issued to highest scorers first
- • Points are assessed at time of application only
- • Your occupation MUST be on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL)
Skills Assessment Bodies
Your occupation must be assessed by the relevant body and matched to an ANZSCO code. This is mandatory before visa application.
ACS (Australian Computer Society)
IT & Computing
Cost
AUD $500-600
Timeline
8-12 weeks
Occupation
Software developer, Data analyst, Network engineer
Analyzes education, work experience, and English. Provides ANZSCO code match.
Engineers Australia
Engineering
Cost
AUD $700-800
Timeline
12-16 weeks
Occupation
Civil, Mechanical, Electrical engineers
Comprehensive assessment of engineering qualifications and experience.
VETASSESS
Trades, Nursing, Allied Health
Cost
AUD $600-800
Timeline
12-16 weeks
Occupation
Nurses, electricians, plumbers, physiotherapists
Assesses trade qualifications and healthcare professional credentials.
CPA Australia / CAANZ
Accounting
Cost
AUD $500-700
Timeline
10-14 weeks
Occupation
Accountants, financial analysts
Accountant-specific assessment and ANZSCO verification.
AHPRA (Allied Health)
Medicine, Dentistry, Psychology
Cost
AUD $1,000-1,500
Timeline
3-6 months
Occupation
Doctors, dentists, psychologists, nurses
Rigorous assessment for regulated health professions. May require exams.
Architects Accreditation Council
Architecture
Cost
AUD $800-1,000
Timeline
12-18 weeks
Occupation
Architects, landscape architects
Detailed assessment of architectural qualifications.
Key Points About Skills Assessment
- • Assessment is separate from visa application (do this first)
- • Your education/experience must match the ANZSCO occupation code exactly
- • Multiple qualifications may need assessment from different bodies
- • Assessment results are valid for 3 years
- • Some professions (healthcare) require additional exams or registration
Where to Settle in Australia
Each city offers different lifestyle, cost, and career opportunities. Choose based on your priorities.
Sydney
Most jobs & highest salaries
Median House Price
AUD $1.2M
Rent (1BR)
AUD $500-700/week (1BR)
Avg Salary
AUD $95K-120K
Top Jobs
Finance, tech, construction, retail
Pros:
- ✓ Most job opportunities
- ✓ Major tech hub
Melbourne
Cultural capital, great food & arts
Median House Price
AUD $950K
Rent (1BR)
AUD $400-550/week (1BR)
Avg Salary
AUD $90K-110K
Top Jobs
Media, design, tech, healthcare
Pros:
- ✓ Vibrant culture & arts scene
- ✓ Excellent coffee & food
Brisbane
Fast growing, subtropical, 2032 Olympics
Median House Price
AUD $650K
Rent (1BR)
AUD $350-450/week (1BR)
Avg Salary
AUD $85K-100K
Top Jobs
Oil & gas, tech, construction, education
Pros:
- ✓ Growing job market
- ✓ Affordable housing
Perth
Mining/resources boom, isolated but beautiful
Median House Price
AUD $700K
Rent (1BR)
AUD $350-450/week (1BR)
Avg Salary
AUD $100K-130K (mining pays more)
Top Jobs
Mining, oil & gas, tech startups
Pros:
- ✓ Highest salaries in mining
- ✓ Affordable housing
Adelaide
Most affordable capital, great for families
Median House Price
AUD $500K
Rent (1BR)
AUD $300-380/week (1BR)
Avg Salary
AUD $80K-95K
Top Jobs
Healthcare, education, manufacturing, wine
Pros:
- ✓ Most affordable capital
- ✓ Great for families
Canberra
Government hub, highest avg salary, planned city
Median House Price
AUD $600K
Rent (1BR)
AUD $400-500/week (1BR)
Avg Salary
AUD $100K-120K (government premium)
Top Jobs
Government, defense, education, tech
Pros:
- ✓ Highest average salary
- ✓ Government job security
Regional Areas
Subclass 491 visa incentive, cheaper, community
Median House Price
AUD $300-500K
Rent (1BR)
AUD $200-300/week (1BR)
Avg Salary
AUD $70K-85K
Top Jobs
Healthcare, education, agriculture, trades
Pros:
- ✓ 491 visa advantage (+15 pts)
- ✓ Cheapest living costs
Cost of Living & Salaries
Australia offers competitive salaries and the world\'s highest minimum wage, though cost of living is high in major cities.
Minimum wage (hourly)
AUD $23.23 (world's highest!)
Average salary (annual)
AUD $95,000
Tech roles (annual)
AUD $120,000 - $180,000
Healthcare (annual)
AUD $80,000 - $150,000
Rent, 1BR, city center
AUD $500-700/week (Sydney), AUD $300-450/week (regional)
Groceries (per person)
AUD $100-150/week
Healthcare
Medicare (free public). Private insurance: AUD $150-300/month
Transport (city)
Public transit pass: AUD $200-250/month. Car essential outside CBD.
Dining out (casual)
AUD $20-30 per meal
Gym membership
AUD $50-80/month
Monthly Budget Estimate
Sydney (Central)
- Rent (1BR) AUD $2,600
- Utilities AUD $150
- Groceries AUD $500
- Transport AUD $200
- Dining/Entertainment AUD $400
- Total AUD $3,850
Brisbane or Adelaide
- Rent (1BR) AUD $1,800
- Utilities AUD $130
- Groceries AUD $450
- Transport AUD $150
- Dining/Entertainment AUD $300
- Total AUD $2,830
Life in Australia
Beyond immigration. What\'s it actually like to live, work, and build a life in Australia?
Weather & Climate
Sydney/Melbourne: mild (15-25°C). Brisbane/Perth: hot (25-35°C+). No harsh winters. Perfect for outdoor lifestyle.
Indian Community
800K+ Indians in Australia. Growing fast. Every city has temples, Indian restaurants, and cultural communities.
Safety & Quality of Life
Very safe. Strict gun laws. Low crime. One of world's best healthcare systems. Excellent work-life balance.
Work Culture
Casual, egalitarian, merit-based. "Tall poppy syndrome"—don't oversell yourself. Equal pay for equal work.
Healthcare
Medicare is excellent and free. Dental not covered. Private health insurance recommended (AUD $150-300/mo).
Outdoor Lifestyle
Beaches, hiking, camping, surfing culture. Australians love the outdoors. Great for active people.
Wildlife
Yes, spiders and snakes exist. No, they won't kill you (probably). Deaths extremely rare. Mostly avoidable.
Environment & Sustainability
Strong environmental consciousness. Recycling mandatory. Water restrictions in droughts. Beach culture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about moving to and immigrating to Australia.
How many points do I need to be invited?
Can I work in Australia while my visa is processing?
Is the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) permanent?
What's the difference between 189, 190, and 491 visas?
Do I need a job offer to get a skilled visa?
How long does the entire process take?
Can I bring family members on my visa?
Is healthcare expensive in Australia?
What if I don't get invited after applying?
Can I stay in Australia on a tourist/visitor visa while applying?
Ready to Move to Australia?
Start your immigration journey today. Use our tools to calculate points, explore visa pathways, and plan your move to Australia.