Move to Australia: residence permits, visas and cost of living

Ways to live in Australia

These are the residence routes in Bordr's guide that we have checked against official sources. Each one links to the government page.

Programme details are shown in English.

Work permit Work permits →

Working Holiday (subclass 417) / Work and Holiday (subclass 462)

Holiday-and-work visa for young people from partner countries. Up to three years in total as three consecutive 12-month visas.

What you need: Age 18–30 for most passports; 18–35 for UK nationals and, from 1 July 2026, for Cyprus, Finland, Germany and South Korea (417). Second and third visas usually need regional work (not for UK nationals), and 462 countries have extra requirements and caps.
How long: 12 months; up to 3 visas (3 years total)
Renewable: Yes
How to apply: Online via ImmiAccount (some 462 countries have ballots)
Path to permanent residence: Not directly

Official page

Student visa Student visas →

Student visa (subclass 500)

For international students enrolled in a registered full-time course in Australia. Valid for the length of the course, up to 6 years.

What you need: A Confirmation of Enrolment from an Australian institution, Overseas Student Health Cover for the whole stay, English evidence and proof of funds for tuition, travel and living costs (at least 29,710 Australian dollars a year for living costs).
How long: Matches the course, up to 6 years
Renewable: Yes
How to apply: Online through ImmiAccount, usually from outside Australia.
Path to permanent residence: Graduates can apply for other visas, such as the Temporary Graduate visa.

Official page

Retirement visa Retirement visas →

Retirement (410) / Investor Retirement (405) — closed

Closed to new applicants. Only existing or former holders who have not held another substantive visa since can apply again.

What you need: Not available to first-time applicants.
Renewable: No
How to apply: Closed
Family: Family members can come with you
Path to permanent residence: Only for existing holders

Official page

Investment and golden visa Investment and golden visas →

Business Innovation and Investment (188) — closed

The Business Innovation and Investment Program closed permanently to new applications on 31 July 2024. The remaining route for exceptional talent and entrepreneurs is the invitation-only permanent National Innovation visa (858).

What you need: No new applications. For the 858: submit an expression of interest and wait for an invitation.
Renewable: No
How to apply: Closed (188); 858 by invitation only
Family: Family members can come with you
Path to permanent residence: 858 is a permanent visa

Official page

Residence permit Residence permits →

National Innovation visa (subclass 858)

A permanent visa, by invitation only, for people with an internationally recognised record of exceptional achievement in a field important to Australia. It replaced the Global Talent visa in December 2024.

What you need: Submit an expression of interest with passport, CV and highest qualification. If invited, you apply with evidence of the achievements named in the invitation and a nominator who completes Form 1000.
How long: Permanent
Renewable: No
Processing time: An expression of interest stays active for 2 years; once invited you have 60 days to apply
How to apply: Expression of interest online on the Home Affairs website, then a visa application by invitation.
Path to permanent residence: Gives permanent residence straight away.

Official page

Cost of living

Monthly amounts in US dollars.

Room in a shared flat	$850
One-bedroom flat	$1,220
Two-bedroom flat	$1,900
Bills	$170
Typical local salary	$4,900

Cities to consider

Climate by month, neighbourhoods and costs for each city are in the Bordr guide.

What life is like

Programme details are shown in English.

Why people move

Life leans outdoors: surf beaches, coastal walks, barbecues and weekend camping. Cities like Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane mix strong coffee culture with diverse food, and most newcomers live near the coast.

Day to day

Distances are huge, so people fly between cities and drive everywhere else. Public healthcare is solid for residents, with private cover common. Contactless payment is nearly universal, internet is decent, and English is the language of everything.

Trade-offs

It is far from Europe and Asia, so visiting family means long flights. Housing in major cities is expensive, and the sun is harsh, with bushfires, floods and dangerous wildlife part of life.

Before you move: visa-free entry

Most people arrive as visitors first, then apply from inside the country or come back with the right visa. How long you can stay as a visitor depends on your passport:

Visa rules for every passport

Questions

Does Australia have a digital nomad visa?

Not among the routes we have checked. Remote workers usually come as visitors within the visa-free limit or use one of the other routes on this page.

How can I move to Australia?

The routes we have checked are: Work permit, Student visa, Retirement visa, Investment and golden visa, Residence permit.

Can I retire in Australia?

Yes, through: Retirement (410) / Investor Retirement (405) — closed.

When was this information checked?

The residence routes for Australia were last checked against official sources on 30 October 2026.

Sources and last check

Residence routes for Australia were last checked against official sources on 30 October 2026.

This page is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Requirements change; confirm with the official government page or a licensed adviser before you apply.

Other countries in Oceania

New Zealand