Emigration to Australia — Visa Options for Poles

Introduction

Australia is a popular destination for Poles — high salaries, quality of life, climate, opportunities. However, the immigration system is one of the most complicated in the world. Everything is based on points (points test) for work or on partner/employer sponsorship.

Main Types of Visas

1. Skilled Independent (189)

• Permanent visa — Permanent Residency immediately
• No employer or state sponsorship required
• Requirements:
  • Age under 45 years
  • Occupation on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL/MLTSSL)
  • Skill assessment from the relevant authority (VETASSESS, Engineers Australia, AHPRA, etc.)
  • English "Competent" minimum (IELTS 6.0 in each part) — better "Proficient" (7.0) or "Superior" (8.0) for points
  • Minimum 65 points in the "Points Test"
• Cost: ~4,640 AUD (adult main applicant)
• Time: 12-24 months from EOI (Expression of Interest)

2. Skilled Nominated (190)

• Permanent visa with state sponsorship (NSW, VIC, QLD, etc.)
• Bonus +5 points
• Requires a commitment to live in the sponsoring state for 2 years
• Cost: ~4,640 AUD
• Easier to obtain than 189 if the occupation is in demand in that state

3. Skilled Work Regional (491)

• Temporary visa for 5 years → possibility to convert to PR (191) after 3 years
• Requires living in a "regional area" (outside Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane)
• +15 points for regional nomination
• easiest pathway if you accept a "regional" location

4. Working Holiday Visa (417)

• For Poles aged 18-30 (sometimes 35)
• Poles can apply — agreement from 2008
• 12 months, with the possibility of extending for another 12 (after 88 days of "specified work" — farm, construction)
• You can work, travel, study (max 4 months)
• Cost: ~635 AUD
• Easiest way to "try out Australia"

5. Employer Sponsored (482, 186)

• TSS (482): temporary visa for 2-4 years; an Australian company sponsors you
• ENS (186): permanent visa with employer sponsorship after 2-3 years on 482
• The company must prove that it could not find an Australian (LMT — Labour Market Testing)
• Cost: 3-5 thousand AUD; the company pays most of it

6. Partner Visa (820/801, 309/100)

• Marriage or de facto relationship with an Australian citizen/PR
• 820 (onshore) or 309 (offshore) — temporary visa
• 801/100 — permanent after 2 years
• Requires proof of relationship (photos, joint account, shared residence, testimonials from friends)
• Cost: 8,850 AUD (one of the most expensive)
• Time: 12-24 months

7. Student Visa (500)

• Study in Australia (university, college, course)
• Visa for the duration of study + 1-2 months
• Ability to work 48 hours/2 weeks
• After graduation — Temporary Graduate (485) for 2-4 years of work
• After work — pathway to PR (189/190)
• Cost: ~710 AUD visa + 30-50 thousand AUD tuition/year

Points Test (for skilled visas)

• Age (25-32): 30 points (max); decreases after 33
• English: Competent 0, Proficient 10, Superior 20
• Work experience: 1-3 years 5 points, 5-8 years 10 points, 8+ years 15 points
• Education: bachelor 15, master 15, doctorate 20
• Australian education: +5 points (if you studied in Australia)
• Specialist Education (STEM): +10 points
• Partner skill: +10 points if the partner is also skilled
• State nomination: +5 points
• Regional sponsorship: +15 points
• Minimum threshold: 65 points (but realistically you need 85+ for many occupations)

Procedure — Skilled Worker (189/190)

1. Skill assessment — application to the relevant authority (doctors: AHPRA; engineers: Engineers Australia; IT: ACS; trades: TRA)
2. English test — IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL, OET (for health)
3. EOI (Expression of Interest) in SkillSelect (online) — enter points and wait for an invitation
4. Invitation (Invitation to Apply) — if your points are within the cutoff
5. Visa application within 60 days of invitation; fee 4,640 AUD
6. Medical examinations + character check
7. Decision in 12-24 months

Most Popular Occupations for Poles in 2026

• IT (programmers, sysadmins, DevOps) — very popular, easy assessment through ACS
• Engineers (mechanical, electrical, civil) — Engineers Australia
• Nurses, doctors — AHPRA assessment, plus AMC exam for doctors
• Tradespeople (welders, electricians, plumbers) — highly sought after; TRA assessment
• Teachers (early education, mathematics, ESL) — AITSL
• Accountants — CPA Australia

Total Estimated Costs

• Skill assessment: 500-1,200 AUD
• English test: 350-450 AUD
• Visa 189: 4,640 AUD (single); +2,320 partner; +1,165 child
• Medical examinations: 300-500 AUD/person
• Character check (Poland + USA): 100-200 AUD
• Translations: 500-1,500 AUD
• Migration agent (optional): 3,000-8,000 AUD
• Total for singles: 7,000-15,000 AUD
• Family of 4: 15,000-25,000 AUD

Migration Agent — Is It Necessary?

• For 189/190 — you can do it yourself if the occupation is obvious
• For complicated cases (partner visa, refugee, business) — YES
• Choose a MARA registered agent (Migration Agents Registration Authority)
• Cost: 3-8 thousand AUD

Common Mistakes

• Application too old (age 45+) — age points 0
• Wrong occupation — not on SOL/MLTSSL → no visa
• Underestimating English — Proficient (7.0 IELTS) gives 10 points, Superior (8.0) — 20 points; the difference is huge
• Application without checking occupation in the state (190) — rejection
• Working in the shadows after 417 — visa violation
• Partner visa without proof of relationship — rejection
• Lack of financial reserve — visas require funds