Skilled Independent
189Permanent, no sponsor. Occupation on the MLTSSL, skills assessment, points test.
Pass mark 65; recent invitations 65–100 by occupation21,090 places 2026–27Permanent on grant
Work abroad · Australia
Australia work permits for Indian applicants: routes, salary thresholds and eligible professions
- Permit routes
- 8
- Professions open
- 7
- Professions checked
- 9
- Figures verified
- Sept 2026
Other countries
Points-tested permanent visas plus employer-sponsored routes. Chefs and cooks are on the skilled lists, nurses and trades are in demand, and aged care runs through a labour agreement.
Work visas and permits
Skilled Nominated
190Permanent, nominated by a state or territory for an occupation on its list.
+5 points for nomination35,500 placesPermanent on grant
Skilled Work Regional
491Provisional 5-year visa with state or family nomination; live and work in regional Australia.
+15 pointsRegional places cut to 14,110Permanent (191) after 3 years
Skills in Demand
482Employer-sponsored, up to 4 years, three streams.
Core Skills: CSOL job, salary ≥ AUD 79,499Specialist Skills: ≥ AUD 146,717Labour Agreement: e.g. aged care1 year's experience, IELTS 5.0Permanent (186) after 2 years
Employer Nomination Scheme
186Permanent employer-sponsored visa.
After 2 years on 482, or Direct Entry with 3 years' experienceUnder 45; IELTS 6Permanent on grant
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional
4945-year regional employer sponsorship.
3 years' experience, skills assessmentPermanent (191) after 3 years
Temporary Graduate
485Graduates of Australian degrees, under 35.
2 years (3 for research)+1–2 years regionalBridge to 482/189/190
Work and Holiday (India)
462Indians aged 18–30 with a tertiary qualification, chosen by ballot.
1,000 a year12 monthsNone
Professions eligible for Australia permits
- ✓Chefs · on the MLTSSL: 189, 190, 482, 186
- ✓Cooks, bakers, pastry cooks · 190/491 and 482
- ✓Registered nurses · all lists; AHPRA registration
- ~Aged & disability carers · 482 Aged Care Labour Agreement only
- ✓Civil, mechanical, electrical engineers · CSOL and MLTSSL
- ✓Software engineers, ICT · CSOL and MLTSSL
- ✓Electricians, plumbers, welders, carpenters · CSOL; trade skills assessment
- ✓Teachers · CSOL and MLTSSL
- ✕Truck drivers · not on the CSOL
Open nowConditions applyClosed
How Zolt Link helps with a Australia work visaWith an offer letter and contract in hand, the employer's registration, the role and the salary are checked against the permit rules, then the permit application and the visa file are prepared and lodged, with dependant visas planned alongside. Zolt Link prepares visa applications; it does not recruit workers for overseas employers.
Ask about a work visa
Quick answers
- What is the Australia Skilled Independent (189) and who is it for?
- Permanent, no sponsor. Occupation on the MLTSSL, skills assessment, points test. Key conditions: Pass mark 65; recent invitations 65–100 by occupation; 21,090 places 2026–27. Settlement: Permanent on grant.
- What is the Australia Skilled Nominated (190) and who is it for?
- Permanent, nominated by a state or territory for an occupation on its list. Key conditions: +5 points for nomination; 35,500 places. Settlement: Permanent on grant.
- What is the Australia Skilled Work Regional (491) and who is it for?
- Provisional 5-year visa with state or family nomination; live and work in regional Australia. Key conditions: +15 points; Regional places cut to 14,110. Settlement: Permanent (191) after 3 years.
- What is the Australia Skills in Demand (482) and who is it for?
- Employer-sponsored, up to 4 years, three streams. Key conditions: Core Skills: CSOL job, salary ≥ AUD 79,499; Specialist Skills: ≥ AUD 146,717; Labour Agreement: e.g. aged care; 1 year's experience, IELTS 5.0. Settlement: Permanent (186) after 2 years.
- What is the Australia Employer Nomination Scheme (186) and who is it for?
- Permanent employer-sponsored visa. Key conditions: After 2 years on 482, or Direct Entry with 3 years' experience; Under 45; IELTS 6. Settlement: Permanent on grant.
- What is the Australia Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (494) and who is it for?
- 5-year regional employer sponsorship. Key conditions: 3 years' experience, skills assessment. Settlement: Permanent (191) after 3 years.
- What is the Australia Temporary Graduate (485) and who is it for?
- Graduates of Australian degrees, under 35. Key conditions: 2 years (3 for research); +1–2 years regional. Settlement: Bridge to 482/189/190.
- What is the Australia Work and Holiday (India) (462) and who is it for?
- Indians aged 18–30 with a tertiary qualification, chosen by ballot. Key conditions: 1,000 a year; 12 months. Settlement: None.
- Which professions can Indian applicants get a Australia work permit for in 2026?
- Open now: Chefs (on the MLTSSL: 189, 190, 482, 186); Cooks, bakers, pastry cooks (190/491 and 482); Registered nurses (all lists; AHPRA registration); Civil, mechanical, electrical engineers (CSOL and MLTSSL); Software engineers, ICT (CSOL and MLTSSL); Electricians, plumbers, welders, carpenters (CSOL; trade skills assessment); Teachers (CSOL and MLTSSL). Conditions apply: Aged & disability carers (482 Aged Care Labour Agreement only). Closed to new overseas hires: Truck drivers (not on the CSOL).
- Can Zolt Link prepare the Australia work permit and visa if I already have a job offer?
- Yes. With an offer letter and contract in hand, the employer's registration, the role and the salary are checked against the Australia permit rules, then the permit application and the visa file are prepared and lodged, with dependant visas planned alongside. Zolt Link prepares visa applications; it does not recruit workers for overseas employers.
Requirements, salary thresholds and government charges shown here are the headline rules as at and change often; every requirement is re-checked against the official source on the day a file is prepared. General information, not legal advice. Last reviewed .
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