🇦🇺 Australia visas for Indians
Last verified: September 2, 2026
Indians moving to Australia have 2 main visa routes: Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482) and Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189). The fastest is the Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482) at 8–24 weeks. 1 of them needs no job offer. Every requirement below links to the official government source.
Compare Australia visas
| Visa | Processing | Gov. fee | Job offer | Family | PR path |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482)work | 8–24 weeks | $2,000 | Required | Yes | Yes |
| Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)work | 24–52 weeks | $3,200 | Not required | Yes | Yes |
Australia visa guides for Indians
Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482)
workEmployer-sponsored work visa, renamed from the Temporary Skill Shortage visa in late 2024. Your occupation must appear on the Core Skills Occupation List, which holds 456 occupations, and your employer must be an approved sponsor. For nominations lodged on or after 1 July 2026 the Core Skills Income Threshold is AUD 79,499, up 3.9 per cent — nominations lodged before that date keep the old figure. You need a skills assessment for many occupations, competent English, and at least one year of relevant experience. Family can accompany you with full work rights, and after two years with your sponsor you can generally be nominated for permanent residence through the Employer Nomination Scheme.
Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189)
workPermanent residence from day one, with no employer, state or family sponsorship needed — which is why it is the most sought-after and most competitive Australian visa. You submit an Expression of Interest through SkillSelect and wait to be invited. The advertised minimum is 65 points, but that is only the threshold to enter the pool: in the June 2026 round, 10,000 invitations went out at scores ranging from 65 to 100. Trades such as plumbers, electricians and carpenters cleared at 65, healthcare, education and engineering generally needed 80 to 90, and ICT and specialised technology needed 90 or more. If you are an Indian IT professional, plan for 90+ rather than 65. You also need a positive skills assessment, be under 45, and score at least competent English — superior English is worth 20 points and is usually the cheapest way to lift your score.
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Check my eligibilityFrequently asked questions
- What is the fastest Australia visa for Indians?
- The Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482) typically processes in 8–24 weeks, the shortest of the 2 routes we track. Add time for gathering documents, translations, and apostilles.
- Can Indians move to Australia without a job offer?
- Yes. The Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) does not require a job offer from a Australia employer.
- What is the cheapest Australia visa for Indians?
- The Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482) has the lowest government fee at about $2,000. Translations, apostilles, insurance, and courier costs come on top of every route.
- Which Australia visas let Indians bring family?
- The Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482) and the Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) allow accompanying family members with additional documentation.
- Which Australia visas lead to permanent residency for Indians?
- The Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482) and the Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) offer a path to permanent residency after the qualifying period.