Australia's Skilled Migration Is Structured and Verifiable
Australia selects skilled migrants through a small set of visa subclasses, each with published eligibility rules, a points test or employer nomination, and a required skills assessment. Nigerian applicants qualify on the same basis as anyone else: occupation on the relevant list, positive skills assessment, competent-or-better English, and enough points or a genuine sponsor.
Because every rule is published by the Department of Home Affairs, you can check your own eligibility before engaging anyone — and you should.
The Main Visa Routes
Skilled routes split into employer-sponsored and points-tested. Many applicants pursue both in parallel.
- Subclass 482 (Skills in Demand) — a temporary visa where an approved Australian business sponsors you for a role on the skilled occupation list
- Subclass 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme) — a permanent visa through employer nomination, often after time on a 482
- Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent) — permanent, points-tested, no employer or state sponsor needed
- Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated) — permanent, points-tested, with a state or territory nomination adding points
- Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional) — provisional, points-tested, requires living and working in a designated regional area, with a pathway to permanent residence
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Information last reviewed: 1 September 2026. Pay ranges, eligibility, and selection stages below are estimates compiled from publicly available postings, not from a single dated official notification — actual figures vary by location and change over time. Confirm current vacancies, exact pay, and eligibility directly with the employer before applying or submitting any documents.
Official sources: Visa listing, Australian Department of Home Affairs (official), Skilled occupation lists, Department of Home Affairs (official), Find a registered migration agent, Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (official)
In-Demand Occupations and Typical Pay
Figures are general planning ranges based on typical Australian salary bands and vary by state, city, and employer — confirm current figures against the occupation lists and any real offer.
| Occupation | Typical Annual Salary (AUD) | Common Route |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $75,000 – $105,000 | 189 / 190 / 482 |
| Software Engineer / Developer | $90,000 – $130,000 | 189 / 190 / 482 |
| Electrician / Plumber / Trades | $70,000 – $100,000 | 482 / 190 / 491 |
| Civil / Mechanical Engineer | $85,000 – $120,000 | 189 / 190 |
| Aged Care / Disability Support Worker | $55,000 – $70,000 | 482 / 491 |
| Secondary School Teacher | $75,000 – $100,000 | 189 / 190 / 482 |
The Skills Assessment Comes First
Almost every skilled visa requires a positive assessment of your qualifications and experience by the assessing authority for your occupation.
- Each occupation has a designated assessing body (for example, engineering, nursing, IT, and trades each have their own)
- They compare your Nigerian qualification and work history against the Australian standard for that occupation
- Some trades require a practical or technical assessment in addition to document review
- A positive assessment is usually valid for a set period and is required before you can be invited or nominated
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The Points Test for 189, 190 and 491
Points-tested visas rank you on a published scorecard; you must reach the minimum to submit an Expression of Interest and be competitive to be invited.
- Age — most points go to applicants in their late 20s to early 30s
- English — points increase from 'competent' to 'proficient' to 'superior' (IELTS, PTE Academic, or other accepted tests)
- Skilled work experience — both overseas and in Australia, with more points for more years
- Qualifications — doctorate, bachelor's degree, diploma, or trade qualification
- Extras — a state nomination (190), regional nomination (491), partner skills, or an accredited community language
Realistic Costs to Budget For
Knowing the real fees also helps you spot invented ones.
- Skills assessment fee — paid to the relevant assessing authority
- English test fee — paid to the test provider
- Visa application charge — paid directly to the Department of Home Affairs, and higher for included family members
- Health examinations and police certificates (Nigerian and any other country you have lived in)
- Optional: a registered migration agent's professional fee — separate from, and never a substitute for, the government charges
How to Verify a Sponsor and an Agent
Two checks prevent most Australia-related fraud. First, confirm any sponsoring business is a real, trading Australian company — check its ABN, website, and staff, and video-call the hiring team. Second, if you use a migration agent, confirm they are currently registered on the official MARA register; only registered agents (or Australian legal practitioners) may lawfully give immigration assistance. An 'agent' who is not on that register, cannot name your sponsor, or asks you to pay an employer for a nomination is a red flag.
Common Scam Patterns
Australia-focused scams targeting Nigerians tend to follow a script: a 'guaranteed' 190 or 491 nomination for a large upfront fee, a job offer that requires you to pay the employer for the sponsorship, fake Department of Home Affairs correspondence directing payment to a personal account, unregistered agents operating only through WhatsApp, and pressure to inflate your work experience on the skills assessment. Genuine skilled migration is slow, evidence-heavy, and every fee is published on a government website.
Final Thoughts
Australia is a viable option for Nigerian nurses, engineers, IT professionals, and tradespeople who can pass a skills assessment and score well on English. Start by finding your occupation on the skilled list, get the assessment moving, and — if you use help — make sure it is a MARA-registered agent. Every real step in this process can be checked against a government page, so check it.