Australia Work Visa for Nepali Workers: Eligibility, Salary Rules, Fees & Step‑by‑Step Guide

If you are a Nepali professional eyeing a move to Australia, the three main skilled visa pathways — Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482), Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186), and Skilled Work Regional Provisional (subclass 491) — remain the core options. The 482 is the most common entry point for employer‑sponsored roles, the 186 offers a direct permanent residence path for those already working in Australia, and the 491 targets regional areas and can lead to permanent residency after three years. Which one fits depends on your occupation, English level, and whether you have a job offer.

Eligibility criteria that matter

English language requirements have not shifted dramatically, but the details matter. For the 482 short‑term stream the minimum is IELTS 5.0 overall with no band below 4.5 (or equivalent TOEFL/PTE). The medium‑term stream asks for at least 5.0 in each band, and some occupations require 6.0 across the board. The 186 and 491 visas generally require 6.0 in each component. Skills assessments are mandatory for every occupation on the Medium and Long‑term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) or the Short‑term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL). The assessing authority varies — Engineers Australia for engineering, ACS for IT, AHPRA for health roles — and each sets its own document checklist and fee. Age limits: the 482 visa has no age cap; the 45‑year limit applies to the 186, 491, and points‑tested visas, though exemptions exist for certain high‑demand roles or regional nominations. Health examinations and police clearances from Nepal and any country you have lived in for 12 months or more are non‑negotiable.

Salary benchmarks and the TSMIT

The Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) is reviewed annually by the Department of Home Affairs. Your offered base salary must meet or exceed the current TSMIT and also align with the Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR) for your specific occupation. For high‑demand fields, typical offers are usually above the threshold, but you should verify the latest AMSR on the Department’s website or through the relevant industry award before you sign a contract.

Fee breakdown — what to budget

Costs add up quickly and vary by visa stream, assessing authority, and service provider. Visa application charges differ between the short‑term and medium‑term 482 streams and between the 186 and 491 visas. Skills assessment fees depend on the assessing body. English test fees, health examination costs in Kathmandu, police certificate fees, and any professional fees for a registered migration agent all need to be checked at the time of budgeting. Convert amounts to Nepali rupees using the prevailing exchange rate when you plan your finances.

Step‑by‑step application flow

Employer‑sponsored pathway (subclass 482 & 186)

1. Occupation check: Confirm your role appears on the MLTSSL or STSOL and note the required skill level.
2. Skills assessment: Lodge your application with the designated assessing body; processing times vary.
3. English test: Book IELTS, PTE Academic, or TOEFL iBT well ahead — results are valid for three years.
4. Employer nomination: Your Australian employer lodges a nomination application (labour market testing, market salary rate evidence, etc.).
5. Visa application: Once the nomination is approved, you submit the visa application via ImmiAccount with all supporting documents.
6. Decision: Processing times vary; check the Department’s current service standards for the most recent estimates.

Points‑tested / regional pathway (subclass 491, also 189/190)

1. Occupation check & skills assessment: Same as above.
2. English test: Same as above.
3. Expression of Interest (EOI): Create an account on SkillSelect, enter your details, and wait for an invitation. Points are awarded for age, English, work experience, and qualifications; the minimum points threshold applies to all streams.
4. Invitation and visa lodgement: Once invited, you have 60 days to submit the full visa application via ImmiAccount with all supporting documents.
5. Decision: Processing times vary; consult the Department’s latest processing guides.

Where to verify everything yourself

Always cross‑check the latest details on the Department of Home Affairs visa pages: Working in Australia. The ImmiAccount portal (ImmiAccount) is where you lodge and track applications. For legislative instruments, search the Federal Register of Legislation for the latest Migration Amendment regulations. These sources are the only ones that carry legal weight.

Moving to Australia for work is a significant project, but with a clear roadmap and up‑to‑date information, Nepali applicants can navigate the process confidently. Start early, keep your documents organised, and rely on official channels for every critical decision.