Migration Information for International Finance and Accounting Professionals
This service provides a general guide to the main visa pathways international finance and accounting professionals may consider when looking to relocate and work in Australia. It is designed to simplify publicly available information into a clearer reference point before candidates seek specific advice from a registered migration agent.
General Migration Pathway Information for International Candidates
This page is designed as a general reference guide for international finance and accounting professionals considering relocation to Australia. It brings together high-level information on potential visa pathways so candidates can better understand the landscape before seeking specific advice from a registered migration agent.
Potential Visa Pathways
The table below provides general information on a range of visa pathways international finance and accounting professionals may consider when looking to work in Australia.
| Visa Subclass | Description | Working Rights / Limits | Length | Applicant Cost | Employer Considerations | Best Use Scenario |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 482 Skills in Demand - Core Skills stream | Temporary employer-sponsored visa where an approved sponsor nominates a skilled worker for an eligible occupation. | Work is tied to the sponsoring employer and nominated occupation unless another pathway is later approved. | Up to 4 years | From AUD 3,210 primary applicant. | Sponsor approval, nomination, salary requirements and SAF levy obligations apply. | Most practical sponsorship conversation for an experienced overseas or onshore employee where local hiring has failed. |
| 186 Employer Nomination Scheme - Direct Entry | Permanent employer-nominated visa for skilled workers who meet the occupation, skills, experience, English, age and health/character requirements. | Permanent residence if granted. Work is not limited to the sponsoring employer once the visa is granted, but nomination integrity matters. | Permanent | From AUD 4,910 primary applicant. | Requires a genuine nominated role. Skills assessment and experience may be needed. | Senior or manager-level employees where the employer is prepared to support permanent residency from the outset. |
| 186 Employer Nomination Scheme - Temporary Residence Transition | Permanent residence pathway for eligible temporary skilled visa holders who transition through their sponsoring employer. | Permanent residence if granted. | Permanent | From AUD 4,910 primary applicant. | Usually relevant after the candidate has worked for the sponsor on an eligible temporary skilled visa. | Good retention pathway for a strong 482-sponsored employee who has proven performance in the business. |
| 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional - Employer Sponsored stream | Regional employer-sponsored provisional visa for employers in designated regional areas that cannot fill a skilled role locally. | Live, work and study only in designated regional areas. Work is linked to the nominated regional role. | 5 years | From AUD 4,910 primary applicant. | Regional sponsorship, role and salary requirements apply. May lead to subclass 191. | Regional employers seeking experienced employees where local supply is limited. |
| 191 Permanent Residence Skilled Regional | Permanent residence pathway for eligible regional provisional visa holders, including certain 491 and 494 holders. | Permanent residence if granted. | Permanent | From AUD 490 primary applicant. | Not an initial hiring pathway. Usually the later PR stage after a regional provisional visa. | Relevant where a regional employee has already completed the required provisional regional pathway. |
| 189 Skilled Independent - Points-tested stream | Permanent skilled visa for invited applicants who do not need employer, state or family sponsorship. | Permanent residence if granted. Can work for any employer in Australia. | Permanent | From AUD 4,910 primary applicant. | No sponsorship process for the employer. Key issue is whether the candidate already holds the visa or is waiting on grant. | Strong option for candidates who have the points, skills assessment and invitation. Not controlled by the employer. |
| 190 Skilled Nominated | Permanent skilled visa for invited applicants nominated by a state or territory government. | Permanent residence if granted. Candidate may have state/territory residence expectations. | Permanent | From AUD 4,910 primary applicant. State fees may also apply. | No direct sponsorship by the employer. Useful if the candidate already has, or expects, state-nominated PR. | Candidates with a skills assessment and a state or territory nomination pathway. |
| 491 Skilled Work Regional - Provisional | Points-tested provisional visa for skilled workers nominated by a state/territory or sponsored by eligible family in a designated regional area. | Live, work and study in designated regional areas. Can lead to subclass 191 permanent residence if conditions are met. | 5 years | From AUD 4,910 primary applicant. | No employer sponsorship, but regional conditions matter. Metro roles may not suit. | Regional roles and candidates already committed to a regional pathway. |
| 485 Temporary Graduate - Post-Higher Education / Post-Vocational streams | Temporary post-study visa for eligible international graduates from Australian institutions. | Can live, work and study temporarily. Generally useful for gaining local experience. | Usually 18 months to 3 years | From AUD 4,600 primary applicant. | No sponsorship needed while valid, but future sponsorship planning may be needed. | Useful for graduates seeking local experience after study in Australia. |
| 500 Student visa | Study visa that may allow limited work while the course is in session. | Usually cannot work more than 48 hours per fortnight while course is in session. Work rights can vary by condition. | Usually linked to course length | From AUD 2,000 primary applicant unless exempt. | Usually not suitable for a normal full-time hire during study periods. Always check conditions. | Part-time support or intern-style work only if conditions allow. Not ideal for core full-time placements. |
| 417 Working Holiday / 462 Work and Holiday | Temporary working holiday visas for eligible passport holders. | Can work, but there is commonly a 6-month limit with one employer unless an exemption applies. | Usually 12 months | From AUD 670 primary applicant. | Can support short-term needs, but is usually weak for permanent hiring unless another pathway exists. | Not a strong pathway for stable long-term hiring except short fixed-term coverage. |
Important note: Applicant costs shown are general Department of Immigration / government application costs only. Government fees can change. Migration agent fees and other related costs may apply separately. This table is general information only, is not exhaustive, and there may be other visa options available. Candidates should seek specific advice from a registered migration agent.
Connect With a Migration Agent
If you want specific advice on which pathway may be most relevant to your circumstances, the next step is to speak with a registered migration agent.
