One of the greatest cities in the world for talented professionals wishing to pursue a career abroad is Melbourne. The city has been known for drawing talent from all over the world because of its strong economy, incredible culture, and high standard of living. Melbourne provides genuine employment opportunities with good salaries ranging from $60,000 to $95,000 annually for a large number of skilled workers. In this article, we talk about the different types of visa sponsorship options and the top sectors for international job seekers among other relevant information.
Benefits of Working in Melbourne Australia for Skilled Foreign Workers
Melbourne is more than just a good location for international job seekers. With the local labour force becoming scarce, companies across industries are seeking international workers and are willing to sponsor their visas. The city of Melbourne offers you both career stability and a fulfilling lifestyle, along with competitive pay and easy access to long-term residency.
Healthcare, IT, construction, hospitality, and skilled trades are part of the top occupations that normally pay way more than the national median. For example, software engineers in Melbourne can make between $67K and $105K USD annually. The average annual salary for registered nurses in the healthcare industry is roughly $79K USD. While in Victoria, construction managers make about $102K USD annually.
High-Demand Skilled Job Sectors in Melbourne Australia (Salary Breakdown)
1.Healthcare and Medicine
In Melbourne, healthcare and medicine need more workers, especially for nurses, physicians, and allied health specialists. The average annual salary for registered nurses is approximately $79,000, with most earning between $58,000 and $102,000. Medical professionals make about $130,000 annually. Most positions in the healthcare industry are covered by Australia’s skilled occupation lists, which qualify them for pathways to permanent residency and visa sponsorship.
2. Information Technology
The tech sector in Melbourne is booming. Network engineers, data scientists, software developers, and cybersecurity specialists are in high demand. For example, software engineers make between $67,000 and $105,000. Tech jobs normally qualify for visa sponsorship, and senior or specialised IT positions can pay more. Top companies pay way more than the median tech salary, which is about $85,000. Depending on your experience, other IT positions (such as systems administrators or IT project managers) usually pay between $58,000 and $85,000.
3. Construction and Engineering
They offer strong career opportunities due to ongoing infrastructure and property development. Skilled roles such as civil engineers, project managers, electricians, and other trades are currently in high demand, with competitive salaries and frequent visa sponsorship options for qualified international workers. Although it depends on your experience, project managers, architects, and civil and structural engineers usually make between $65,000 and $105,000.
4. Trades and Manufacturing
Melbourne’s economy depends on skilled trades. Electricians, welders, plumbers, and mechanics all come with good pay. Electricians generally pull in $60,000 to $73,000, and experienced welders can expect around $60,000 annually. Advanced manufacturing and auto repair technicians normally see salaries ranging from $45,000 to $60,000. A significant number of these trades are on the state’s skill shortage lists, which opens the door to both state nomination and employer sponsorship opportunities.
5. Hospitality and Tourism
Melbourne is well known for hospitality jobs, although the pay is generally lower than in tech or engineering. Chefs earn an average of about $47,000 per year, while top chef roles in fine-dining restaurants can exceed $65,000. Hotel and venue managers earn between $50,000 and $73,000, with senior general managers in premium properties earning up to $95,000. Tourism guides, event planners, and similar roles usually earn $38,000 to $50,000.
6. Other Sectors
There are opportunities for qualified professionals, in Melbourne’s expanding financial, educational, and creative sectors. While university lecturers and experienced educators typically make between $45,000 and $65,000, chartered accountants and financial analysts make between $50,000 and $75,000.
Visa Sponsorship Pathways for Skilled Workers in Melbourne
1.Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189)
This is a permanent visa through the General Skilled Migration program in Australia. Applicants must pass a points test (currently at least 65 points) based on age, education, experience, English, and other factors, neither a job offer nor employer sponsorship is required. The national skilled occupation list must include your line of work. You can work anywhere in Australia if your application is accepted.
2. Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190)
This is a permanent residency visa for skilled workers who have been nominated either by an Australian state or territory. You would have to live and work in the state that nominated you for a specified period of time.
3. Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (subclass 491)
This allows skilled workers to live and work in regional Australia for up to 5 years, and it is also point-tested. You would require state nomination, which can also lead to permanent residency if you meet all the requirements.
4. Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (TSS, subclass 482)
This is a four-year temporary visa for employees who are sponsored by their Australian employer. It has replaced the previous subclass 457 visa. You have to meet salary requirements and have a job offer in an eligible field in order to qualify. Your employer must also show that the position actually needs a qualified foreign worker and be an authorised sponsor.
5. Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT)
As of July 1, 2025, TSMIT is $49,500 USD, usually in accordance with the going rate for the position. The 482 visa is used by businesses to hire foreign workers in IT, engineering, healthcare, and related fields. Through the Employer Nomination Scheme, holders of visas can convert to permanent residency after a qualifying period, which is normally three years.
6. Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS, subclass 186)
For a long-term employer-sponsored visa there are two categories: Direct Entry (for overseas workers nominated or recent 482 holders) and the Temporary Residence Transition stream (for current 482 visa holders after three years with the same employer). Your employer has to nominate you, you must also meet the pay requirements and possess the necessary skills and qualifications. For people with TSS visas, ENS is frequently the objective.
7. Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa (subclass 494)
This would allow skilled workers who have employer sponsorship to live and work anywhere in regional Australia for up to five years. It can also lead to permanent residence if you meet the work and residence requirements.
8. Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485)
If you’re an international student who recently graduated in Australia. It allows you 2 to 4 years of work (depending on your qualification) and can be your path to job-based sponsorship. It doesn’t require sponsorship but is time-limited.
9. Other visas
The Global Talent visa and business/investor visas exist but are less common for typical skilled workers.
Most skilled migrant visas require an occupation on an official skilled list. These include lists such as the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) or Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL). Many jobs listed above (nurse, electrician, software engineer, chef, etc.) appear on these lists.
Visa rules also impose conditions: for example, all employer-nominated visas require paying at least the TSMIT ( $49,500 USD from mid-2025) and the correct market salary. For points visas (189/190/491), you must score enough points on the test (65 minimum) and also pass an English test (usually IELTS or equivalent, with “competent English” = minimum IELTS 6 in each band).
How to Apply for Visa-Sponsored Jobs in Melbourne Australia
1. Assess your eligibility: Make sure you meet the requirements (education, work experience etc) for your profession and that it is listed among skilled occupations. For most professions, including engineers, accountants, nurses, and electricians, a formal skills assessment from an Australian assessment body is needed. Additionally, make sure your English score (usually IELTS 6.0 or higher) meets the requirements for a visa.
2. Get a skills assessment: You need to get a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing bodies, such as Engineers Australia for engineers or ANMAC for nurses, etc. This can take months, so you should apply as soon as possible.
3. For state nomination (Visa 190/491): If your goal is to find an employer that is willing to sponsor, you should look for positions in your field that mention visa sponsorship on Australian job sites (Seek, Indeed, LinkedIn, local recruiters). A job offer is not necessarily compulsory for state nomination (visa 190/491), but if you have credentials or skilled work in Victoria, it can help boost your application. First, submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through the Department of Home Affairs. You would have to provide your occupation, qualifications, and total points in the EOI.
4. For employer sponsorship (TSS/ENS/494): Get a job offer from an employer that is willing to sponsor you first. This employer must officially nominate you for the position and be an approved sponsor. The job has to be full-time, require a specific skill set (a degree or trade qualification), and offer a salary that is within the minimum wage, which is currently $49,500 USD, plus the market rate (known as TSMIT). If everything is in order, your employer will submit an application for nomination. If your nomination is accepted, you can then go ahead and apply for the subclass 482/186/494 visa through Home Affairs. You would need to present documents of your qualifications and the English proficiency tests you’ve completed.
5. Apply for the visa: Whether you go through points or employer channels, once you have a nomination or approval in principle, you have to lodge the visa application online with the Department of Home Affairs. Include all the required documents (skills assessment, proof of identity, employment references, health and police checks). Processing times for visas are different based on subclass, but skilled migration visas normally take a few months.
6. Prepare for arrival: You can move to Melbourne and start working once they’ve approved your visa. Finding a place to live in Melbourne should be your top priority, learn all you need to know about things like healthcare and taxes.
You should make sure everything is in order and keep all your nomination and EOI reference numbers safe. Whether you decide to use a migration agent or you do it yourself just make sure you follow all the official instructions properly.
Frequently Asked Questions on Skilled Worker Jobs in Melbourne, Australia with Visa Sponsorship
Q1. Which jobs are eligible for a skilled worker visa in Australia?
Jobs that are listed on the government’s Skilled list are all eligible for skilled worker visas in Australia. Your qualifications would help determine if you qualify or not so make sure you have all your qualifications ready.
Q2. How can I locate a business in Australia that will sponsor my visa?
Look for job postings on websites like Indeed, LinkedIn, and Seek that are tagged “visa sponsorship available” to find an Australian employer willing to sponsor your visa. Apply directly through the career pages of companies in skill-shortage industries, and make sure you state your experience and eligibility for a visa.
Q3. Which skilled worker is in demand in Australia?
Due to ongoing skill shortages across the country, jobs like nurses, software developers, engineers, electricians, and teachers are more in demand.
Q4. Which occupation gets PR easily in Australia?
Jobs in healthcare, engineering, IT, and skilled trades are easy routes to permanent residency in Australia because of the ongoing skill shortages over there.
Q5. Can my family come with me?
Yes, you can. Most of the skilled visa applications allow you to include a spouse or children in your application. If your spouse’s English skills are very good, you can earn extra points. If the visa is approved your family can live, work and even go to school under your visa.
Conclusion
If you follow this process, getting a job in Melbourne would be easier. The city is great for international job seekers because of its rich economy and diverse culture. As long as you’re qualified you should be able to find a fulfilling career in different sectors. If you have been looking for information on in-demand jobs in Melbourne with higher rates then we hope this article has been of help to you.