Engineer visa routes in Commonwealth of Australia
Thinking about Commonwealth of Australia as a place to work? Below are the 2 Commonwealth of Australia visa routes that most commonly fit engineers, with what each one needs and a link to the official government source. Always confirm the current rules on the primary source before acting.
Also searched as: civil engineer, mechanical engineer, electrical engineer, chemical engineer.
What this means for engineers
Of the 2 Commonwealth of Australia routes that commonly fit engineers, 1 needs a sponsoring employer and 1 does not, and 2 can lead to permanent residence. Some engineering disciplines are regulated or need a skills assessment for migration purposes, so check whether Commonwealth of Australia requires one for your field before you apply.
The most-used skilled route into Commonwealth of Australia overall is the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189), which also fits many engineers — it is included below.
Typical figures — Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)
Computed from our continuously re-verified, primary-sourced data. Indicative, not legal advice.
Government cost
A$5,416
Single applicant, functional English, no health surcharge
Add A$2,385 per adult dependant, A$1,195 per child. Each adult may separately be charged the A$4,890 limited-English second instalment if they cannot demonstrate functional English.
Verified 1 June 2026 · Home Affairs — Subclass 189 Skilled Independent visa →
How long it takes
6 months – 12 months
Home Affairs publishes a typical decision window of 6–12 months for the subclass 189 Skilled Independent visa, counted from the date you lodge. Because 189 is points-tested and invitation-only, much of the real waiting often happens earlier – in the SkillSelect pool, waiting for an invitation to apply.
Verified 1 June 2026 · Home Affairs — Global visa processing times →
Time to permanent residence
Arrival on 482 → 186 ENS after 2 years (Specialist Skills Pathway) or 3-4 years (Core Skills) → PR → citizenship after 4 years from arrival (minimum 12 months as PR).
Leads to Permanent Resident, then Australian citizenship.
Will you qualify?
EOI minimum: 65 points to submit an Expression of Interest; invitation rounds usually require more.
Estimate your score →Routes that fit engineers
Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482)
Employer-sponsored temporary work visa (formerly TSS) with reformed routes from December 2024.
Sponsor required · Leads to settlement · Up to 4 years.
Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)
Points-based permanent residence visa for skilled workers without employer or state sponsorship.
No sponsor needed · Leads to settlement · Permanent residence.
Figures by route
Verified salary floor and processing window per matched route, each primary-sourced. Indicative, not legal advice.
| Route | Salary floor | Processing | Settlement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) | — | 2 weeks – 8 weeks | Yes |
| Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) | — | 6 months – 12 months | Yes |
Frequently asked questions
Which visa routes suit engineers moving to Commonwealth of Australia?+
Commonwealth of Australia has 2 routes that commonly fit engineers: Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482), Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189). The best fit depends on whether you already have an employer sponsor, your salary, and your qualifications — open any route below for its full eligibility criteria and primary government source.
Do engineers need a job offer to move to Commonwealth of Australia?+
Not always. 1 of the 2 matched Commonwealth of Australia routes can be pursued without an employer sponsoring you (such as the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)), while 1 needs a sponsoring employer or a confirmed job offer. If you do not yet have an offer, start with the no-sponsor routes.
Can engineers settle permanently in Commonwealth of Australia?+
Yes. 2 of the 2 matched routes lead toward settlement or permanent residence. Permanent-residence timelines vary by route, so check the settlement detail on each visa page.
How much does the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) cost in government fees?+
For the worked example (Single applicant, functional English, no health surcharge), government fees total about A$5,416 (Home Affairs — Subclass 189 Skilled Independent visa, verified 1 June 2026). Treat as indicative and confirm the current schedule on the official source.
How long does the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) take to process?+
The typical published decision window is 6 months – 12 months (Home Affairs — Global visa processing times, verified 1 June 2026).