Australia Immigration FAQs: Skilled Migration Questions Answered for 2026

Yes. The Subclass 189, 190 and 491 visas do not require a job offer. You need an eligible occupation, a suitable skills assessment, enough points and an invitation through SkillSelect.

The minimum is 65 points, but recent Subclass 189 rounds invited occupations at between 65 and 100 points, so many applicants need considerably more than the minimum.

Yes. You can include your partner and dependent children, and they must meet health and character requirements. Additional visa charges apply for each family member.

Most states expect nominated applicants to live and work in the nominating state for a set period, commonly two years, as part of their nomination commitment.

For points-tested visas, your skills assessment must be valid at the time of invitation, so you would need to renew or obtain a new assessment before you can be validly invited.

You can select multiple states in your EOI, but some states require a separate Registration of Interest and set their own rules about applying elsewhere, so check each programme.

No. The 491 is a five-year provisional visa. After living and working in a designated regional area and meeting income requirements, you may apply for the permanent Subclass 191 visa.

You may apply for a separate visitor visa or ETA to visit, but this does not affect your skilled visa application, and you must meet the conditions of the visitor visa.

Visa application charges are generally non-refundable, even if your application is refused, so it is important to check your eligibility carefully before lodging.

Only if you hold a visa with work rights, such as a Skills in Demand or Working Holiday visa. Offshore applicants usually wait outside Australia.

Both are permanent. The 189 requires no nomination and is selected by Home Affairs, while the 190 requires state or territory nomination, which adds 5 points.

Yes. Since 19 September 2026, Ministerial Direction 122 prioritises skilled visa applications in sectors such as healthcare, construction, education and resources.