Compare Immigration Pathways by Country
Compare fees, processing times, requirements, and pathway options across two or more countries side by side — every figure backed by cited official sources.
| Attribute | Australia 8 Pathways |
|---|---|
| Official authority | — |
| Skilled work | |
| Pathway | Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491) Skilled work Home Affairs (updated 2 October 2026): from AUD 6,140.00 (concessions apply in limited circumstances; additional applicant 18+ AUD 3,070.00).≈ $3,991 Home Affairs processing tool (updated 29 September 2026), state/territory nominated regional stream: 50% processed in 5 months and 90% in 18 months. Estimates, not a guarantee. Job offer Language test Family possible |
| Work permit | |
| Pathway | Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417) Work permit Home Affairs: AUD 840.00 for the first Working Holiday visa (second and third visas AUD 1,000.00).≈ $546 Home Affairs says the average processing time is expected to be around three months (page dated 9 December 2024). The processing tool (29 September 2026) shows 50% in 2 days and 90% in 58 days, and notes offshore applications may take about three months in some cases. Job offer Language test Family possible |
Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) Work permit Home Affairs: this visa is now called the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482); from AUD 4,015.00 (concessions apply in limited circumstances; additional applicant 18+ AUD 4,015.00).≈ $2,610 Home Affairs processing tool (updated 29 September 2026), core skills stream: 50% processed in 4 months and 90% in 9 months. Estimates, not a guarantee. Job offer Language test Family possible | |
| Employer sponsored | |
| Pathway | Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186) Employer sponsored Home Affairs (updated 5 June 2026): from AUD 6,140.00 (concessions apply in limited circumstances).≈ $3,991 Home Affairs processing tool (updated 29 September 2026), direct entry stream: 50% processed in 21 months and 90% in 25 months. Estimates, not a guarantee. Job offer Language test Family possible |
| Post-study work | |
| Pathway | Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) Post-study work Home Affairs (page dated 14 December 2024; fee table updated 1 July 2026): from AUD 5,750.00 for the Post-Higher Education Work and Post-Vocational Education Work streams; AUD 2,265.00 for the second Post-Higher Education Work stream.≈ $3,738 Home Affairs processing tool (updated 29 September 2026), post-higher education work stream: 50% processed in 5 days and 90% in 55 days. Estimates, not a guarantee. Job offer Language test Family possible |
| Study | |
| Pathway | Student visa (subclass 500) Study Home Affairs (updated 1 July 2026, AUD): Student visa 500 base application charge AUD 2,500.00 (ELICOS and non-award AUD 2,050.00; additional applicant 18+ AUD 1,530.00). New rules apply from 2 October 2026.≈ $1,625 Home Affairs processing tool (updated 29 September 2026), higher education sector: 50% processed in 16 days and 90% in 4 months. Estimates for recently decided applications, not a guarantee. Job offer Language test Family possible |
| Permanent residence | |
| Pathway | Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) Permanent residence Home Affairs lists the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) from AUD 6,140.00 (concessions apply in limited circumstances).≈ $3,991 Home Affairs processing tool (updated 29 September 2026): 50% processed in 4 months and 90% in 16 months. Estimates for recently decided applications, not a guarantee. Job offer Language test Family possible |
Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) Permanent residence Home Affairs lists the points-tested stream of the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) from AUD 6,135.00 (concessions apply in limited circumstances).≈ $3,988 Home Affairs processing tool (updated 29 September 2026), points-tested stream: 50% processed in 61 days and 90% in 8 months. Estimates for recently decided applications, not a guarantee. Job offer Language test Family possible | |
Skilled Work Regional Visa (Subclass 491)
Skilled work
Home Affairs processing tool (updated 29 September 2026), state/territory nominated regional stream: 50% processed in 5 months and 90% in 18 months. Estimates, not a guarantee.
Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417)
Work permit
Home Affairs says the average processing time is expected to be around three months (page dated 9 December 2024). The processing tool (29 September 2026) shows 50% in 2 days and 90% in 58 days, and notes offshore applications may take about three months in some cases.
Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482)
Work permit
Home Affairs processing tool (updated 29 September 2026), core skills stream: 50% processed in 4 months and 90% in 9 months. Estimates, not a guarantee.
Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186)
Employer sponsored
Home Affairs processing tool (updated 29 September 2026), direct entry stream: 50% processed in 21 months and 90% in 25 months. Estimates, not a guarantee.
Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)
Post-study work
Home Affairs processing tool (updated 29 September 2026), post-higher education work stream: 50% processed in 5 days and 90% in 55 days. Estimates, not a guarantee.
Student visa (subclass 500)
Study
Home Affairs processing tool (updated 29 September 2026), higher education sector: 50% processed in 16 days and 90% in 4 months. Estimates for recently decided applications, not a guarantee.
Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)
Permanent residence
Home Affairs processing tool (updated 29 September 2026): 50% processed in 4 months and 90% in 16 months. Estimates for recently decided applications, not a guarantee.
Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)
Permanent residence
Home Affairs processing tool (updated 29 September 2026), points-tested stream: 50% processed in 61 days and 90% in 8 months. Estimates for recently decided applications, not a guarantee.