Australia continues to be a highly desirable destination for skilled professionals, seasonal workers, and young adventurers seeking career opportunities and new experiences. In 2025, significant policy and eligibility changes have been made to various Australian work visa categories, reflecting the government’s focus on addressing labor shortages, enhancing economic growth, and ensuring fair compensation for foreign workers.
Navigating these changes can be overwhelming, so this article will walk you through the various work visa types available in Australia for 2025. Whether you’re a skilled professional, a recent graduate, or someone looking for short-term work, there’s likely a visa tailored for your needs.
So, let’s explore the Australian employment visa options applicable for 2025 and identify the best one for you.
List of New Australian Work Visas Applicable for 2025 Applications
Following 10 Australian work visas will remain available in 2025 to skilled workers from all across the world:
| Australia Work Visa Types | Purpose of Visas for 2025 |
|---|---|
| Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa (Subclass 482) | Allows employers to address labor shortages by bringing in skilled workers for up to four years. |
| Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) Visa (Subclass 400) | For short-term, highly specialized work in Australia, typically up to three months. |
| Temporary Activity Visa (Subclass 408) | Permits participation in specific short-term activities, including cultural or social events. |
| Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa (Subclass 186) | Allows skilled workers nominated by an Australian employer to live and work permanently in Australia. |
| Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) | A points-based visa for skilled workers not sponsored by an employer, state, or family member, granting permanent residency. |
| Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190) | For skilled workers nominated by an Australian state or territory, offering permanent residency. |
| Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417) | Allows young adults (18-30 or 18-35 for some countries) from eligible nations to work and holiday in Australia for up to 12 months. |
| Work and Holiday Visa (Subclass 462) | Similar to the Subclass 417 visa, but for different countries; permits work and travel in Australia for up to 12 months. |
| Training Visa (Subclass 407) | Enables individuals to participate in workplace-based training to enhance skills in their current occupation or field of study. |
| Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) | For international students who have recently graduated from an Australian institution, allowing them to live, study, and work temporarily in Australia. |
Whereas, here’s the changes in immigration policies for the specified Australian visa types for 2025:
| Visa Types (New) | Changes for 2025 |
|---|---|
| Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa (Subclass 482) | – Replacement: To be replaced by the Skills in Demand (SID) visa in December 2024 with three (03) pathways: Specialist Skills, Core Skills, and Essential Skills. – Work Experience Requirement: Reduced from two (02) years to one year from November 2024. |
| Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) Visa (Subclass 400) | No specific policy changes announced for 2024/2025. |
| Temporary Activity Visa (Subclass 408) | No specific policy changes announced for 2024/2025. |
| Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Visa (Subclass 186) | – Permanent Residency Pathway: SID visa holders can transition to permanent residency through the Temporary Residence Transition stream after two years of employment. |
| Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) | No specific policy changes announced for 2024/2025. |
| Skilled Nominated Visa (Subclass 190) | No specific policy changes announced for 2024/2025. |
| Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417) | – UK Citizens Exemption: UK citizens exempt from specified work requirement for second/third working holiday visas from July 2024. – Ballot Process: Introduced for applicants from China, India, and Vietnam to manage demand. |
| Work and Holiday Visa (Subclass 462) | – Ballot Process: Introduced for applicants from China, India, and Vietnam to manage demand. |
| Training Visa (Subclass 407) | No specific policy changes announced for 2024/2025. |
| Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) | – Age Limit Reduction: Maximum age reduced from 50 to 35 years, effective July 2024. |
Full Verified List: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing.
