To apply for an Australian visa, your work experience can play a significant role. Both overseas and Australian employment can be considered, and the terms of employment do not usually matter, they can be casual, part-time or full-time, self-employed or as an employer.
Meeting work experience requirements for visas and skills assessments depend significantly on the facts and evidence of each person's particular case. Different periods of experience must be carefully examined to ensure the requirements can be met.
If you have overseas work experience, you can prove it using reference letters, payslips, bank statements, and other documents that confirm your occupation, duration of employment and salary.
If you are in Australia, your experience will count whether you work casually, part-time, full-time, or under an ABN or TFN.
Here are some visas that require relevant employment experience:
1. General Skilled Migration Visas (Subclass 189, 190, and 491)
These visas are for individuals with skills that are in demand in Australia.
- Work experience requirement: Post-qualification, relevant work experience is often required for a skill assessment. The more experience you have, the more points you can claim in the points-based system.
- How it counts: Only work that exceeds 20 hours per week can be counted. Full-time, part-time, casual, and self-employment can all count as long as the work is relevant to your nominated occupation.
Each state has different criteria regarding the required number of work hours and whether the applicant must be living in the state or not.
Besides work experience, you will need to meet additional requirements to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) for the 189 visa, 190 visa, or 491 visa.
2. Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482)
The 482 visa allows employers to sponsor foreign workers for skilled roles.
- Work experience requirement: At least one year of full-time experience in the nominated occupation.
Part-time or casual experience can also be counted and will be calculated pro rata. For example, if you work part-time (20 hours per week) for two years, it will be equivalent to one year of full-time experience.
ABN experience may also count if the applicant has sufficient documentation to support it.
- How it counts: The work experience should show you have the necessary skills for the job you’re being sponsored for. The employer will need to verify your experience as part of the sponsorship application.
3. Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (Subclass 186) Direct Entry Stream
The 186 Direct Entry Visa is a visa for skilled workers nominated by an employer sponsor that leads directly to permanent residency.
- Work experience requirement: You need at least 3 years full-time of relevant work experience. Generally, the experience needs to be post-qualification.
- How it counts: Similar to the 482 visa, your experience needs to be in the nominated occupation and directly related to the role.
Part-time or casual experience might be considered, but it could be prorated depending on the hours worked.
ABN experience may also count if the applicant has sufficient documentation to support it.
4. Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa (Subclass 494)
The 494 visa is for skilled workers nominated by their employer to work in regional areas in Australia.
- Work experience requirement: You need at least 3 years full-time of relevant work experience. Generally, the experience needs to be post-qualification.
- How it counts: The experience needs to be in the nominated occupation and directly related to the role.
Part-time or casual experience might be considered, but it could be prorated depending on the hours worked.
ABN experience may also count if the applicant has sufficient documentation to support it.
5. Training Visa (Subclass 407)
The Training Visa allows applicants to undertake structured workplace-based training in Australia to improve their skills or meet licensing/registration requirements.
- You must have at least 12 months of relevant work experience in your occupation within the last 24 months before applying. The experience can also be studying.
- The experience can be full-time or part-time, but it must be directly related to the training program you are applying for.
- Volunteer work may be considered if it is structured, documented, and relevant to the training.
How Work Experience is Assessed:
Skill assessments: For General Skilled Migration Visas (subclass 491/190/189), Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa (Subclass 494), and Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186) Direct Entry Stream, a positive skill assessment is mandatory.
For the Skills in Demand Visa (subclass 482), a skill assessment may be required depending on your occupation and the country of passport.
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