Working in Australia as an Indonesian is achievable, but the pathway looks very different depending on your age, education, and whether you already have a job offer. This guide covers the three main visa options available in 2026, which job sectors are actively sponsoring overseas workers, and what you need to qualify. It also maps out how a temporary work visa can transition into permanent residency, because for most Indonesian workers, that is the long-term goal.
For a detailed breakdown of eligibility by age, education level, and work background, see our companion guide on how Indonesians can work in Australia based on age, education, and job background.
Last updated: April 2026
Your Three Main Work Visa Options
There is no single work visa for Australia; the right pathway depends on your age, what you have studied, and whether an employer is already willing to sponsor you. Here is how the three main options compare.
Subclass 462 – Work and Holiday Visa (WHV)
The Subclass 462 Work and Holiday Visa lets Indonesian citizens aged 18 to 30 live, work, and travel in Australia for up to 12 months. To be eligible, you must have completed at least two years of undergraduate study or hold a tertiary qualification, demonstrate functional English, and have no dependent children.
One requirement that surprises many first-time applicants: Indonesian citizens must obtain a Letter of Government Support (SDUWHV) from the Indonesian Directorate General of Immigration before lodging the visa application with the Australian Department of Home Affairs (DHA). This letter confirms your eligibility to join the program under the bilateral arrangement between Indonesia and Australia. Without it, your application cannot proceed. Full requirements are listed on the Australian Embassy WHV page. The next WHV intake for Indonesians is expected to open around October 2026, per DHA’s published schedule.
Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482) — Updated April 2026
As of April 18, 2026, Australia replaced the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa with the Skills in Demand (SID) Visa, also under Subclass 482. For full background on this change, see RACC’s update on the Skills in Demand visa replacing the TSS. The SID visa has three streams:
- Specialist Skills stream: for highly-paid roles earning above AUD 141,210 per year. Processing can be as fast as seven calendar days.
- Core Skills stream: for occupations on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), with a minimum salary of AUD 76,515 per year (rising to approximately AUD 79,499 from July 1, 2026, per DHA’s announced indexation).
- Essential Skills stream: for lower-wage roles in sectors with critical shortages, subject to Labour Agreements.
All three streams require an approved employer sponsor. If your occupation is on the CSOL, the Core Skills stream is the most accessible pathway for Indonesian skilled workers.
Skilled Independent and Nominated Visas (Subclass 189 and 190)
The Subclass 189 and Subclass 190 are permanent visas from day one. Both require a positive skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority, an Expression of Interest (EOI) submitted via SkillSelect, and enough points to receive an invitation. The Subclass 190 requires state or territory nomination, which typically adds 5 points to your score and improves your invitation chances.
Visa Comparison at a Glance
| Visa | Who It’s For | Duration | Pathway to PR? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subclass 462 WHV | Age 18-30, tertiary education | 12 months | No direct PR pathway |
| SID Visa (Subclass 482) | Skilled workers, employer-sponsored | 2-4 years | Yes, via Subclass 186 ENS after 3 years |
| Subclass 189 / 190 | Points-tested skilled workers | Permanent | Permanent from grant date |
In-Demand Job Sectors for Indonesian Workers
Australia’s ongoing labour shortages mean employers across several industries are actively sponsoring overseas workers — including Indonesians with the right qualifications. The table below shows where demand is highest and what you can expect to earn.
| Sector | Example Roles | Typical Salary (AUD) | Common Visa Pathway |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | Registered Nurse, Pharmacist | $70,000-$90,000 | SID 482, 189/190 |
| Information Technology | Software Developer, Cyber Security Analyst | $90,000-$130,000 | SID 482, 189/190 |
| Trades | Electrician, Plumber, Welder | $80,000-$110,000 | SID 482, 491, 189/190 |
| Hospitality | Chef, Cook | $55,000-$75,000 | SID 482, 491 (regional) |
| Aged Care and Disability | Support Worker, Care Coordinator | $55,000-$65,000 | SID 482, 190 |
| Education | Early Childhood Teacher, Special Education Teacher | $65,000-$80,000 | SID 482, 189/190 |
Salary ranges sourced from SEEK Australia (April 2026). Actual offers vary by employer, location, and experience level.
Not sure which visa fits your situation? RACC’s MARA-registered migration agents can assess your profile and identify which pathway gives you the best chance of approval. Book a consultation with RACC Indonesia.
What You Need to Qualify
English Proficiency Requirements
Most Australian work visas require you to demonstrate English proficiency. For the SID Visa (Subclass 482), the Australian Department of Home Affairs accepts IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT, and Cambridge (CAE). Minimum scores vary by stream and occupation, so confirm the specific requirement on immi.homeaffairs.gov.au before applying.
Skills Assessment and Employer Sponsorship
For the Subclass 189 and Subclass 190, you must complete a skills assessment through the relevant authority before submitting your EOI. The assessing body depends on your occupation: VETASSESS covers many professional and trade roles, AHPRA assesses healthcare professionals, and Engineers Australia assesses engineering roles. For the SID Visa, the employer sponsors you directly, and a skills assessment may or may not be required depending on the stream. If you are unsure how to secure sponsorship, our guide on how to find an employer who can sponsor you in Australia covers practical strategies for the job search.
Salary Threshold for the SID Visa
Your employer must pay you at least the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT), currently AUD 76,515 per year, to sponsor you on the Core Skills stream. This figure is indexed annually by DHA. Roles in the Specialist Skills stream require earnings above AUD 141,210. Employers who pay below the TSMIT cannot sponsor workers under the Core Skills stream, regardless of the occupation.
From Work Visa to Permanent Residency
Working in Australia on a temporary visa is not a dead end. The SID Visa (Subclass 482) has a clear transition to permanent residency through the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186). After working with the same employer for three years on your SID visa, that employer can nominate you for the Subclass 186, which grants permanent residency.
Alternatively, Australian work experience improves your score under the points test for skilled migration, opening the door to the Subclass 189 or Subclass 190 permanent visas over time. Indonesian workers who start on a Subclass 462 WHV can use the 12 months to build local experience, strengthen their English, and assess their eligibility for a longer-term skilled visa. The WHV is not a PR pathway on its own, but it is a useful starting point for workers who are not yet eligible for a skilled visa.
How RACC Indonesia Can Help You
RACC Indonesia is a MARA-registered migration and education consulting company (MARN 1572961) with over 20 years of experience guiding Indonesians through the Australian visa process. We work with applicants on WHV applications, SID visa sponsorships, and full skilled migration cases through to permanent residency.
One question we hear constantly is: “Which visa should I apply for?” The answer depends on factors most people have not fully mapped out: their occupation’s CSOL status, their current English score, and whether their employer can become an approved sponsor. A 30-minute consultation with our MARA-registered agents will give you a straight answer based on your actual profile.
Book a consultation with RACC Indonesia
The information in this article is general in nature. For advice specific to your circumstances, speak with a MARA-registered migration agent.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can Indonesians work in Australia without a degree?
Yes, in some cases. Tradespeople with vocational qualifications (electricians, plumbers, chefs) can qualify for the Skills in Demand Visa through employer sponsorship, provided their occupation is on the Core Skills Occupation List and their employer pays the minimum salary threshold. A university degree is not required for these pathways.
What is the SDUWHV and do I need it to apply for the WHV?
The SDUWHV is the Letter of Government Support issued by the Indonesian Directorate General of Immigration. Indonesian citizens must obtain this letter before lodging the Subclass 462 Work and Holiday Visa application with the Australian Department of Home Affairs. Without it, your application cannot proceed.
Has the 482 visa been replaced in 2026?
Yes. As of April 18, 2026, the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa was officially replaced by the Skills in Demand (SID) visa, which retains the Subclass 482 number but introduces three distinct streams: Specialist Skills, Core Skills, and Essential Skills. Existing 482 visa holders are not affected by the change.
What is the minimum salary for a sponsored work visa in Australia?
For the Core Skills stream of the SID Visa (Subclass 482), the minimum salary is the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT), currently AUD 76,515 per year as of April 2026. This is expected to rise to approximately AUD 79,499 from July 1, 2026, per DHA’s announced indexation. The Specialist Skills stream requires earnings above AUD 141,210.
Can I get permanent residency after working in Australia on a temporary visa?
Yes. The most direct route is through the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186): after three years on an employer-sponsored SID Visa (Subclass 482) with the same employer, your employer can nominate you for permanent residency. Australian work experience also adds points to your skilled migration score, improving eligibility for the Subclass 189 or Subclass 190 permanent visa.
What job sectors sponsor Indonesian workers most often?
The sectors with the highest rate of employer sponsorship for overseas workers in Australia include healthcare (nursing, pharmacy), information technology (software development, cyber security), construction trades (electricians, plumbers), hospitality (chefs and cooks), aged care, and early childhood education. All of these occupations appear on the occupation shortage list, making them eligible for the SID Visa Core Skills stream.
