Skilled Workers (Primary Visa Applicants) Eligibility

This information will help you decide whether you are eligible to apply for a subclass 457 visa.

The time taken for an application to progress and for the department to make a decision varies. Do not make arrangements to move to Australia. Do not leave your employment, sell your home or book travel arrangements until you are advised in writing that you have been granted a visa.

If you are not familiar with the subclass 457 visa process, read the following information pages to understand the visa application process. Lodging an incomplete or incorrect application could lead to substantial delays.

If you are familiar with the eligibility requirements and obligations for the subclass 457 visa, you can go directly to Applying for this visa.

Eligibility to apply for this visa

You can apply for a subclass 457 visa if:

• you have relevant skills and you been nominated by an approved business to work in an eligible occupation in Australia, and you:
  • are working for the company for the first time
  • are being transferred from another position within the same company outside Australia
  • currently hold a subclass 457 visa which is about to expire.
• you are a member of the family unit of a skilled worker who has been nominated for this visa
• you meet other eligibility requirements applicable to all visa applicants.

Eligible occupations

You must work in a skilled occupation that has been approved by the Australian Government.

The list of eligible occupations is available on the Consolidated sponsored occupations list. This list includes a number (an ANZSCO Code) and an Occupation Title.

A description of the qualifications and experience required for each of the eligible occupations is at 1220.0 - ANZSCO - Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations, First Edition, Revision 1.  

This opens a search page to help you locate your nominated occupation. This will help you identify the level of qualifications and work background you are required to have.

For example an Engineering Manager (ANZSCO code 133211) will have either a relevant bachelor degree or higher qualification (or equivalent) or at least five years relevant experience.

Skill requirements

Subclass 457 visa applicants are required to demonstrate that they have the skills and experience necessary to perform the nominated occupation.

The evidence that you can provide is listed in the Document checklist for visa applicants (121KB PDF file).

If your nominated occupation is a trade occupation you may be required to undertake a skills assessment. To determine if you will be required to do so, refer to the Trades Recognition Australia website.

Registration and licensing

If requested by your visa processing case officer, you must provide evidence from the relevant Australian registration or licensing authority that you hold or will be able to meet registration or licensing requirements to work in your nominated occupation.

Your approved sponsor should be able to provide you with the necessary licensing and registration information.

English language requirements

Evidence of an IELTS score must be produced if required when submitting a visa application. It is important that you can speak, write and understand a sufficient level of English while you are in Australia. The department uses the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to determine your level of English language proficiency.

If you are sponsored by a party to a labour agreement, you must meet the English language ability specified in the agreement.

If you are sponsored by a Standard Business Sponsor, you must demonstrate that you have English language proficiency that is equivalent to an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test score of at least 5 in each of the four test components of speaking, reading, writing and listening.

You do not need to show that you meet this requirement if any of the following apply to you:

• You are to be paid a salary that exceeds the English language requirement exempt amount and the grant of the visa is in the interests of Australia. This amount is currently set at a gross base salary of AUD92 000 excluding all deductions.
• Your nominated occupation does not need a level of English language proficiency for grant of registration, licence or membership, and:
  • you are a passport holder from Canada, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom or the United States of America
  • your nominated occupation is a highly skilled occupation that is on the gazetted list of English language exempt occupations
    See: IMMI 12/048 English Language Exemptions
  • you have completed at least five years of continuous full time study in a secondary and/or higher education institution where instruction was conducted in English.
• You are nominated for an occupation which will be performed at a diplomatic or consular mission of another country or an office of the authorities of Taiwan located in Australia.

If you are seeking an exemption from the English language requirement on the basis of completion of five continuous years of study at a secondary or higher institution where the instruction was in English, you should also provide the following information with your visa application:

• name and location of the institution
• level of qualification
• official transcript from the secondary or tertiary institution
• number of contact hours of instruction per week delivered in English
• number of years of continuous study.

If your nominated occupation needs a level of English language proficiency for grant of registration, licence or membership, you need to provide evidence that you have the required level. You can do this by providing evidence that you have the relevant registration, licence or membership.

General eligibility requirements

You and any dependents included in your application must also meet other requirements that apply to most visa applications.

Proof of identity

The department will ask for proof of your identity and, if appropriate, the relationship to family members applying for a subclass 457 visa (either as employees or as family members).

Health insurance

You are responsible for all health costs for yourself and your family. Under Australian law, you must provide evidence that you have made adequate arrangements for health insurance for yourself and all accompanying family members. Under visa condition 8501, you must maintain your insurance for the period of your stay in Australia.

Health requirements

You must meet certain health requirements to be granted this visa. This applies to all the dependent family members listed in your application.

Health examinations will depend on your circumstances, your intended activities in Australia, your intended period of stay and your country of origin or residence.

Health examinations for visa applicants outside Australia must be conducted by an approved Immigration panel physician.

If you are applying in Australia, visit Medibank Health Solutions. If you live in a regional area, contact Medibank Health Solutions for the details of a local doctor who is approved to do the required examination.

More information about this process is available at

• Fact Sheet 22—The Health Requirement.
• Information Form 1163i Health requirements for temporary entry to Australia ( 58KB PDF file).

Character requirements

You must meet certain character requirements.

Provide this information as a signed declaration with your application. You may be asked for police certificates, but do not provide them unless you are asked to by the department.

Debts to the Australian Government

You must repay, or have made arrangements to repay, any outstanding debts to the Australian Government, before a decision can be made on your application. If you do not pay these debts, your application could be refused.

Australian values statement

All visa applicants who have turned 18 years of age must sign an Australian values statement as part of their visa application.

When you might not be eligible for this visa

If you are in Australia, you might not be able to apply for this visa due to Limitation on applications in Australia ( 48KB PDF file).