Moving to Australia
14 ways to move to Australia in our guide: 4 talent schemes, 2 working holiday visas, 5 work visas, 1 student visa, 2 spouse visas.
No digital nomad visa. Tax for newcomers: Temporary resident exemption for most foreign-source income, Temporary residents. Checked against official sources on .
Australia is a big, practical country with several different doors in. Some routes are for skilled workers who are invited, some are for people sponsored by an employer or a state, and some are for young travellers or students.
Top options in Australia · 2
Talent schemes
National Innovation 858
Talent schemes
Skilled Independent 189
Talent schemes · 2
Skilled Nominated 190
Skilled Regional 491
First stay: 5 yrs
Working holiday · 2
Work and Holiday 462
Age limit: Ages 18–30
Working Holiday 417
Age limit: Ages vary by passport
Work · 5
Employer Nomination 186
Income needed: AUD 79k+ a year ≈ $55k
Employer Regional 494
Income needed: AUD 79k+ a year ≈ $55k
Skills in Demand
Student · 1
Student visa 500
Savings needed: AUD 30k+ a year ≈ $21k
Spouse visas · 2
For people married to, or in a partnership with, a citizen or permanent resident.
Free movement and visa-free stays · 1
Free movement by treaty · Lets you live here
Open to 1 passport: New Zealand.
Tax
Tax residency is decided separately from your visa. If you are an Australian tax resident, you are generally taxed on worldwide income, but temporary residents usually do not pay Australian tax on most foreign-source income; Australian-source income and capital gains on taxable Australian property stay taxable. Working holiday makers have their own rates. Use the figures on this site for the thresholds and rates that apply to you.
Special regime
Temporary resident exemption for most foreign-source income
Tax relief
Details
- On: Most foreign-source income (exempt)
- Who: Hold a temporary visa
Temporary residents who are Australian tax residents generally do not pay Australian tax on most foreign-source income; Australian-source income stays taxable.
Taxed on
Most foreign-source income (exempt); Australian-source income and capital gains on taxable Australian property remain taxable.
Who it applies to
- Hold a temporary visa.
- Neither the individual nor their spouse (if any) is an Australian resident under the Social Security Act 1991 (not an Australian citizen, permanent resident or protected Special Category visa holder).
Exclusions
- Income from employment or services performed overseas while a temporary resident can still be taxed in Australia, depending on facts and any tax treaty.
- Not available to someone who has at any time after 6 April 2006 been an Australian resident without a temporary visa and with an Australian-resident spouse.
Tax residence
A temporary resident can be an Australian resident or a foreign resident for tax purposes; the four statutory residency tests (resides, domicile, 183-day, Commonwealth superannuation) decide residence separately.
Visas
Requires a temporary visa; no particular subclass carries the exemption itself.
Other taxes
Foreign tax paid on income declared may qualify for a foreign-source income tax offset; foreign-source income and deductions are converted to AUD.
Checked against official sources on Change log
Standard rules
Resident individual income tax rates 2026-27
Progressive rates
Details
- On: Worldwide taxable income of Australian tax residents
- Who: Australian resident for the full year with full tax-free threshold
- Limit: AUD 18k/yr ≈ $13k
Australian tax residents pay progressive rates with a tax-free threshold of AUD 18,200 (≈ $12,700); the 2026-27 rate on income from 18,201 to 45,000 is 15%.
Taxed on
Worldwide taxable income of Australian tax residents (temporary residents exclude most foreign-source income); Medicare levy 2% is separate.
Who it applies to
- Australian resident for the full year with full tax-free threshold.
Exclusions
- Foreign residents have no tax-free threshold and do not pay the Medicare levy.
- Part-year residents receive a reduced tax-free threshold (at least AUD 13,464 (≈ $9,370)).
Limits
- AUD 18,200 a year (≈ $12,700) · Tax-free threshold; nil tax up to this amount.
- AUD 45,000 a year (≈ $31,300) · 2026-27: 15% applies from 18,201 to 45,000; 30% from 45,001.
- AUD 135,000 a year (≈ $94,000) · 2026-27: 37% applies from 135,001 to 190,000.
- AUD 190,000 a year (≈ $132,000) · 2026-27: 45% applies above 190,000.
Tax residence
Residence is determined by the resides, domicile, 183-day and Commonwealth superannuation tests.
Visas
Tax residence is independent of visa type.
Other taxes
Medicare levy of 2% of taxable income applies to residents on top of these rates; the 2025-26 rate on income from 18,201 to 45,000 was 16%.
Checked against official sources on Change log
Special regime
Working holiday maker tax rates
15% tax
Details
- On: Taxable income of working holiday makers
- Who: Hold a 417 Working Holiday or 462 Work and Holiday visa
- Limit: AUD 45k/yr ≈ $31k
Holders of subclass 417 or 462 visas pay 15% on working holiday taxable income up to AUD 45,000 (≈ $31,300) in 2026-27, with no tax-free threshold, if they are foreign residents or residents from a non-NDA country.
Taxed on
Taxable income of working holiday makers.
Who it applies to
- Hold a 417 Working Holiday or 462 Work and Holiday visa.
- Foreign resident, or Australian resident not from a non-discriminatory article (NDA) country.
Limits
- AUD 45,000 a year (≈ $31,300) · 15% applies to working holiday taxable income from 0 to 45,000 in 2026-27 (the table applies from 2024-25 onward); 30% from 45,001 to 135,000, 37% to 190,000, 45% above.
Tax residence
Rates apply to working holiday maker income regardless of whether the person is a foreign or Australian resident (from non-NDA countries).
Visas
Applies only to 417 and 462 visa holders.
Other taxes
Working holiday taxable income is taxed from the first dollar; no tax-free threshold applies to it.
Checked against official sources on Change log
Checked against official sources on Change log
Australia in pictures
Switch to later · 1
Work
Graduate visa 485
First stay: 4 yrs
Arriving in Australia: first steps
- Arrange health cover that meets your visa condition, such as Overseas Student Health Cover for students or adequate health insurance for sponsored workers.
- Give your Australian address to the relevant authority and keep it up to date, especially for visa and tax correspondence.
- Open an Australian bank account once you have an address and identification.
- Apply for a tax file number if you will work or file a tax return.
- Keep your Confirmation of Enrolment, nomination or sponsorship documents and your visa grant notice accessible.
Questions people ask
What special talent visas does Australia have?
Australia has 4 talent schemes. There is also National Innovation 858, Skilled Independent 189 and Skilled Nominated 190.
Does Australia have a working holiday visa?
Yes. Australia has 2 working holiday visas. Work and Holiday 462 is for ages 18 to 30 and gives a first stay of 1 year that can be renewed. Working Holiday 417 gives a first stay of 1 year that can be renewed.
What work visas does Australia offer foreigners?
Australia has 5 work visas. Employer Nomination 186 asks for a salary of at least AUD 79,423 a year (≈ $55,300). Employer Regional 494 asks for a salary of at least AUD 79,423 a year (≈ $55,300) and gives a first stay of 5 years. Skills in Demand · Core asks for a salary of at least AUD 79,423 a year (≈ $55,300) and gives a first stay of 4 years that can be renewed.
How do I get a student visa for Australia?
Australia has 1 student visa. Student visa 500 asks for savings of at least AUD 29,710 a year (≈ $20,700) and gives a first stay of 6 years that can be renewed.
Can I join my spouse or partner in Australia?
Yes. Australia has 2 spouse visas. There is also Spouse of a citizen and Spouse of a citizen (in-country).
Does Australia have a special tax regime for new residents?
Yes: Temporary resident exemption for most foreign-source income. Temporary residents who are Australian tax residents generally do not pay Australian tax on most foreign-source income; Australian-source income stays taxable. It is separate from the visa and has its own conditions.
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≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.
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