Even though at first sight it may seem that there are limited Australian visa options for people over 45 years old, this is not necessarily the case.
It is true that some visa options are only available to applicants under 45, such as the Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189), Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190), and Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491). For these visas, applicants must generally be under 45 years of age at the time of invitation.
However, there are still several visa pathways that may be available for applicants aged 45 and over, depending on their circumstances. These may include Student Visas (subclass 500), Employer-Sponsored Visas (such as subclass 482 or subclass 186, where certain age exemptions may apply), Training Visas, Partner Visas, Parent Visas, and the National Innovation Visa (NIV) where age requirements may be more flexible or exemptions may be available.
Let’s look more closely at these options:
Temporary visas
1. Student visa (subclass 500)
This temporary visa allows the holder to study in Australia. Generally, a work limitation condition will apply, allowing the person to work up to 48 hours per fortnight.
Main requirements:
- Be enrolled in a course of study
- Meet English language requirements unless exceptions apply (e.g., you are a citizen of UK, USA, Canada, NZ or Republic or Ireland).
- Be a genuine student (be able to demonstrate that studying in Australia is the primary reason of your student visa)
Current processing time: 66 days on average
2. Skills in Demand Visa (subclass 482)
This temporary visa lets an employer sponsor a suitably skilled worker to fill a position they can’t find a suitably skilled Australian to fill.
Main requirements:
- Be nominated to work in particular occupation
- Be paid annual market salary rate, but not less than AUD76,515 for Core Skills Stream or not less than AUD141,210 for Specialist Skills Stream*
- Have at least 1-year relevant work experience in your nominated occupation or a related field
- Have a relevant skills occupation if this is required for your occupation
- English requirement unless exempt
*This requirement is only for the applicants who are paid less than AUD 250,000. The salary requirements generally increase on 1 July each year.
Current processing times:
- Core Skills Stream: 8 months
- Specialist Skills Stream: 51 days
3. Training visa (subclass 407)
With this visa you can visit Australia to do workplace-based training to improve your skills for your current occupation, area of tertiary study or field of expertise or to do a professional development training program.
Main requirements:
- Have an approved sponsor
- Have an approved nomination
- Be a genuine temporary entrant (intend to stay temporarily in Australia)
- Meet English language requirements unless exceptions apply (for example, if you are a citizen of UK, USA, Canada, NZ or Republic or Ireland).
Current processing time: 14 months
Permanent Visas
4. Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186)
This visa lets skilled workers, who are nominated by their employer, to live and work in Australia permanently. There are two streams of this visa that are most commonly used, which have their own visa requirements:
186 - Direct Entry Stream
This visa lets skilled workers, who are nominated by an employer, live and work in Australia permanently.
Main requirements:
- You must be nominated by an Australian employer
- Your occupation must be on the relevant list of eligible skilled occupations
- English requirement
- Have a skills assessment
Usually at the time of application, the applicants have to be under 45 years of age. Exceptions available for the following three categories:
- Academic applicants (faculty head or university lecturer);
- Science applicants (researcher, scientist or technical specialist); or
- Subclass 444/461 workers (during the 3 years ending immediately before the day the visa application was made, the person spent at least 2 years working for the employer in the nominated occupation and held either a subclass 444 or 461 visa).
186 - Temporary Residence Transition Stream
Main requirements:
- You must be nominated by an Australian employer
- Your occupation must be on the relevant list of eligible skilled occupations
- You have 2 years of sponsored employment while holding a subclass 482 visa
- Meet health, character, English and identity requirements
Usually at the time of application, the applicants have to be under 45 years of age. Exceptions available for the following six categories:
- Academic applicants (faculty head or university lecturer)
- Legacy 457 workers (held 457 visa on or after 18 April 2017, was in Australia for at least 12 months between 1 February 2020 and 14 December 2021; and applied for a subclass 186 on or before 30 June 2024);
- Regional medical practitioner applicants;
- Science applicants (researcher, scientist or technical specialist)
- Subclass 457/482 workers (during the 3 years ending immediately before the day the visa applicant was employed for at least 2 years in the nominated position. For each of those years, the person’s earnings for the year were equal to or greater than the high-income threshold). As of 1 July 2025, the Australian Fair Work high-income threshold is $183,100 per annum.
- Transitional 457 workers under 50 (on 18 April 2017, an applicant held a subclass 457 visa or was an applicant for a subclass 457 visa that was subsequently granted, and on the day the application for the new visa was made, had not turned 50.
Processing time for both streams are currently 15 months.
5. Partner visa
If you are in a relationship with:
- Australian citizen or
- PR holder or
- Eligible NZ citizen
- No age restriction
Current processing time: Around 17 months on average
6. Parent visas
- If you have a child who is an Australian citizen or PR holder
Downsides:
- Long processing time
7. The National Innovation Visa (NIV) (subclass 858)
Main requirements:
Have an internationally recognised record of exceptional and outstanding achievement in one of the following areas:
- A profession
- A sport
- The arts
- Academia and research
This includes global researchers, entrepreneurs, innovative investors, athletes and creatives.
Current processing time: 21 months
Accordingly, being over 45 does not automatically prevent migration to Australia, and the most suitable pathway depends on the applicant’s qualifications, work experience, family situation, and long-term plans.
Note: In this blog, not all visa options available for people aged 45+ have been outlined. Visas such as subclass 600 and subclass 400 were intentionally omitted, as these visas are usually granted for short periods of time. Labour Agreement streams were also not covered here, as the requirements for labour agreements can be complex and specific advice is recommended.