Are you a skilled professional searching for an Australian job paying more than A$100,000 per year?
Australia recruits overseas workers when employers cannot find people locally with the skills, qualifications or experience required for particular positions. Opportunities can be found in mining, construction, technology, healthcare, engineering, energy and industrial operations.
Some Australian employers are also willing to nominate suitable foreign workers for temporary or permanent skilled visas.
However, a salary above A$100,000 does not automatically make a position eligible for employer sponsorship. The occupation, salary, employer, applicant’s experience and immigration route must all meet the relevant requirements.
The expression “visa sponsorship” is commonly used by job seekers, but the Australian process is more accurately described as employer nomination or employer sponsorship under a particular visa programme.
This guide explains the skilled occupations that may pay over A$100,000, the main employer-sponsored visa routes, the qualifications applicants may need and how to approach Australian employers directly.
What Does Visa Sponsorship Mean in Australia?
Employer sponsorship means that an eligible Australian business nominates a foreign worker for a particular occupation and position.
Depending on the visa route, the employer may need to:
- Become or remain an approved sponsor
- Demonstrate that the position is genuine
- Show that the salary reflects the Australian market rate
- Complete labour-market testing where required
- Nominate an eligible occupation
- Pay the required employer charges
- Provide a written employment contract
- Satisfy workplace and immigration obligations
The worker must then submit a separate visa application and prove that they meet the requirements for the nominated occupation.
The employer does not personally approve the visa. The Australian Government assesses the nomination and visa application.
Australia’s main temporary employer-sponsored route is the Skills in Demand visa, subclass 482. It allows an eligible employer to sponsor a suitably skilled worker when an appropriate Australian worker cannot be found.
Can Skilled Workers Earn More Than A$100,000?
Yes. A$100,000 is achievable in several skilled Australian occupations.
The actual salary depends on:
- Occupation
- Industry
- State or territory
- Professional registration
- Years of experience
- Shift pattern
- Remote-location allowance
- Overtime
- Management responsibilities
- Employer size
- Project conditions
Jobs in mining regions, large construction projects and specialist technical fields may pay more than equivalent positions in other locations.
However, the amount advertised is normally the gross salary before income tax, retirement contributions and personal expenses.
Some employers describe a compensation package as including:
- Base salary
- Superannuation
- Performance bonus
- Housing assistance
- Travel allowance
- Remote-work allowance
- Vehicle
- Health benefits
- Relocation support
Ask whether the advertised amount is the base salary or the entire employment package.
Why Consider Working in Australia?
Australia has strong industries in:
- Mining and resources
- Construction
- Renewable energy
- Healthcare
- Technology
- Agriculture
- Manufacturing
- Infrastructure
- Professional services
- Education
Foreign professionals may be attracted by:
- Competitive salaries
- Formal workplace protections
- Employer retirement contributions
- Paid annual leave
- Professional development
- Regional employment opportunities
- Family visa options
- Possible permanent-residence pathways
Australia also has major employment centres beyond Sydney and Melbourne.
Opportunities may be available in:
- Perth
- Brisbane
- Adelaide
- Canberra
- Darwin
- Hobart
- Newcastle
- Geelong
- Regional Queensland
- Regional Western Australia
- Mining and industrial communities
The cost of living differs greatly by location. A salary of A$110,000 in a regional area may provide a different lifestyle from the same salary in central Sydney.
High-Paying Australian Jobs That May Include Employer Sponsorship
1. Mining Engineer
Mining engineers plan and manage the extraction of minerals, metals, petroleum and other natural resources.
They may work in:
- Mine design
- Production planning
- Safety management
- Resource evaluation
- Equipment selection
- Environmental planning
- Project supervision
- Operational improvement
Mining engineering is one of Australia’s better-paid professional fields.
Current labour-market data places median full-time weekly earnings for the broader mining-engineering occupation group at approximately A$3,518. That is roughly A$183,000 annually before tax when multiplied across 52 weeks.
Employers may look for:
- Mining-engineering qualification
- Relevant technical experience
- Mine-planning software knowledge
- Safety-management experience
- Project leadership
- Experience with open-pit or underground operations
- Professional assessment or registration where required
Possible annual salary
A$120,000–A$220,000 or more, depending on the role, location and roster.
Remote positions may include accommodation, flights or site allowances.
2. Construction Manager
Construction managers organise and supervise building and infrastructure projects.
They may manage:
- Project budgets
- Construction schedules
- Contractors
- Materials
- Workplace safety
- Client communication
- Quality standards
- Regulatory compliance
Median full-time weekly earnings for construction managers are approximately A$3,751, equivalent to about A$195,000 annually before tax. This is an occupational median rather than a promised salary for every vacancy.
Relevant experience may include:
- Commercial construction
- Civil infrastructure
- Residential development
- Quantity surveying
- Contract administration
- Site management
- Project planning
- Health and safety supervision
Possible annual salary
A$120,000–A$220,000 or more.
Applicants may need a recognised qualification or substantial industry experience, depending on the position and skills-assessment requirements.
3. Software and Applications Programmer
Software professionals build and maintain systems used by banks, hospitals, retailers, government agencies, manufacturers and technology companies.
Possible roles include:
- Software developer
- Software engineer
- Analyst programmer
- Application developer
- Systems developer
- Cloud engineer
- DevOps engineer
- Mobile developer
Median full-time weekly earnings for software and applications programmers are approximately A$2,537, which is about A$132,000 annually before tax. The occupation also continues to record substantial employment growth.
Skills employers may request
- Java
- Python
- C#
- JavaScript
- Cloud platforms
- Database management
- DevOps
- Cybersecurity
- Artificial intelligence
- Application architecture
Possible annual salary
A$100,000–A$180,000 or more.
Applicants should show completed projects and measurable results rather than merely listing programming languages.
4. Engineering Manager
Engineering managers direct technical teams and oversee engineering projects, budgets and operational requirements.
They may work in:
- Mining
- Construction
- Manufacturing
- Energy
- Infrastructure
- Aerospace
- Transport
- Industrial production
Median full-time weekly earnings for engineering managers are approximately A$3,519, equivalent to roughly A$183,000 annually before tax.
Employers may expect:
- Engineering qualification
- Several years of technical experience
- Team leadership
- Budget responsibility
- Project-management experience
- Risk and safety management
- Knowledge of Australian or international standards
Possible annual salary
A$140,000–A$230,000 or more.
5. Registered Nurse and Nurse Manager
Australia employs registered nurses across:
- Hospitals
- Aged-care facilities
- Community health
- Mental-health services
- Emergency departments
- Critical care
- Surgical units
- Regional healthcare centres
Median full-time weekly earnings for registered nurses are approximately A$2,192, which is roughly A$114,000 annually. Nurse managers have median weekly earnings of approximately A$2,658, equivalent to around A$138,000 annually.
Some nursing positions may pay more because of:
- Overtime
- Night shifts
- Weekend work
- Specialist practice
- Management responsibility
- Regional allowances
- Remote-community service
Possible annual salary
A$90,000–A$150,000 or more.
Foreign-trained nurses must meet Australian nursing registration requirements before working as registered nurses.
6. Civil Engineering Professional
Civil engineers design and oversee projects such as:
- Roads
- Bridges
- Railways
- Airports
- Dams
- Water systems
- Pipelines
- Commercial developments
- Public infrastructure
Median full-time weekly earnings for civil-engineering professionals are approximately A$2,217, equivalent to about A$115,000 annually before tax.
Possible annual salary
A$100,000–A$175,000.
Professionals with infrastructure, transport, geotechnical or project-management experience may receive stronger offers.
7. Geologist, Geophysicist or Hydrogeologist
These professionals analyse the earth’s structure and natural resources.
They may work in:
- Mining exploration
- Petroleum
- Environmental consulting
- Groundwater management
- Engineering
- Land rehabilitation
- Resource development
Median full-time weekly earnings for this occupation group are approximately A$2,914, equivalent to around A$152,000 annually.
Possible annual salary
A$110,000–A$190,000 or more.
Remote assignments and resource-sector projects may include additional allowances.
8. Production Manager
Production managers plan and control manufacturing and industrial operations.
They may supervise:
- Production schedules
- Employees
- Raw materials
- Quality control
- Equipment
- Workplace safety
- Cost management
- Supply chains
Median full-time weekly earnings are approximately A$2,298, equivalent to about A$119,000 annually.
Possible annual salary
A$100,000–A$170,000.
International experience in food processing, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, engineering or industrial operations may be useful.
9. Multimedia Specialist or Web Developer
Multimedia and web professionals create and maintain:
- Websites
- Digital platforms
- Online applications
- Interactive systems
- E-commerce services
- Digital media products
Median full-time weekly earnings are approximately A$2,476, equivalent to around A$129,000 annually.
Possible annual salary
A$95,000–A$160,000.
Sponsorship is more likely where the applicant offers advanced development, cloud, security or specialised digital-product experience.
10. Medical Practitioner
Doctors and specialist medical practitioners are among Australia’s higher-paid professionals.
Possible areas include:
- General practice
- Emergency medicine
- Anaesthesia
- Psychiatry
- Surgery
- Rural medicine
- Internal medicine
Medical practitioners must satisfy registration, qualification-recognition and professional requirements before practising.
Possible annual salary
A$120,000–A$300,000 or more, depending on specialisation, location and employment arrangement.
Remote and regional healthcare positions may offer additional incentives.
Salary Comparison
| Occupation | Approximate annual earnings based on current median data |
|---|---|
| Mining engineer | A$183,000 |
| Construction manager | A$195,000 |
| Software and applications programmer | A$132,000 |
| Engineering manager | A$183,000 |
| Registered nurse | A$114,000 |
| Nurse manager | A$138,000 |
| Civil-engineering professional | A$115,000 |
| Geologist or geophysicist | A$152,000 |
| Production manager | A$119,000 |
| Multimedia specialist or web developer | A$129,000 |
These figures are based on median full-time weekly earnings multiplied across 52 weeks.
They are not starting-salary promises. An individual offer may be lower or higher.
Main Employer-Sponsored Visa Routes
1. Skills in Demand Visa — Subclass 482
The Skills in Demand visa is Australia’s main temporary employer-sponsored skilled-work route.
It replaced the former Temporary Skill Shortage visa in December 2024.
The visa allows an approved employer to nominate a skilled overseas worker for a genuine position.
The main streams include:
- Core Skills stream
- Specialist Skills stream
- Labour Agreement stream
Most applicants must have at least one year of relevant work experience in the nominated occupation or a related field. They must also meet the skills, English and other requirements that apply to their stream.
Core Skills stream
The occupation must generally appear on the Core Skills Occupation List.
For nominations lodged between 1 July 2026 and 30 June 2027, the Core Skills Income Threshold is A$79,423.
The salary must also meet the annual market salary rate for the position. An employer cannot simply offer the threshold if Australian workers performing comparable duties receive more.
Specialist Skills stream
The Specialist Skills stream is intended for highly paid professionals in eligible occupational categories.
From 1 July 2026, the Specialist Skills Income Threshold is A$146,576.
A position paying A$150,000 may qualify for consideration under this stream, but the salary alone is not enough. The occupation and applicant must meet the remaining conditions.
Length of stay
Most successful subclass 482 holders may work for the sponsoring employer for up to four years, subject to the stream and circumstances.
2. Employer Nomination Scheme — Subclass 186
The Employer Nomination Scheme allows an Australian employer to nominate a skilled worker for permanent residence.
It includes different streams, such as:
- Temporary Residence Transition
- Direct Entry
- Labour Agreement
The Direct Entry stream generally requires:
- Employer nomination
- An eligible occupation
- At least three years of relevant work experience
- A suitable skills assessment, unless exempt
- Appropriate English
- Being under 45, unless an exemption applies
The subclass 186 visa provides permanent residence if granted.
An employer’s willingness to sponsor a temporary worker does not mean it will later nominate that person for permanent residence.
Discuss long-term possibilities carefully and rely on the written employment terms.
3. Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional Visa — Subclass 494
The subclass 494 visa allows an employer in a designated regional area to sponsor a skilled worker.
The visa is provisional and may be granted for up to five years.
Applicants under the employer-sponsored stream generally need:
- Nomination by an approved regional employer
- An eligible occupation
- At least three years of relevant full-time experience
- A suitable skills assessment
- Competent English
- To be under 45, unless exempt
- Health and character clearance
The applicant must normally work in the nominated regional position. Qualifying holders may later become eligible to apply for permanent residence through the regional pathway.
Regional sponsorship should not be viewed as inferior employment.
Regional Australia includes major cities and industrial centres outside Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Many regional employers offer competitive salaries because of genuine labour shortages.
4. Labour Agreement Stream
Labour agreements allow approved employers or industries to recruit overseas workers under negotiated arrangements.
They may apply where standard skilled programmes do not fully address the sector’s labour needs.
Industries with labour agreements may include areas such as:
- Aged care
- Meat processing
- Horticulture
- Dairy
- Fishing
- Hospitality
- Selected construction or regional sectors
Requirements vary by agreement.
A worker should confirm:
- The occupation
- Salary
- English requirement
- Experience requirement
- Visa duration
- Permanent-residence conditions
- Employer obligations
Eligibility Requirements for Skilled Workers
1. Genuine Employer Nomination
You need an eligible employer willing to nominate you for a genuine position.
The employer must provide accurate information about:
- Job title
- Duties
- Salary
- Location
- Working hours
- Contract
- Required skills
- Employment conditions
2. Relevant Work Experience
Subclass 482 applicants generally need at least one year of relevant experience.
Permanent and regional routes may require three years or more.
Your experience should be supported with:
- Employment letters
- Reference letters
- Payslips
- Promotion records
- Tax or pension records
- Project evidence
- Contracts
- Professional portfolios
3. Suitable Qualification or Trade Training
Depending on the occupation, you may need:
- University degree
- Technical diploma
- Apprenticeship
- Trade qualification
- Professional certificate
- Occupational licence
- Industry registration
Not every skilled sponsored occupation requires a university degree.
Experienced tradespeople may qualify through recognised technical training and work experience.
4. Skills Assessment
Some visa and occupation combinations require an assessment from an approved assessing authority.
The assessment compares your qualifications and experience with Australian occupational standards.
Do not assume that an overseas certificate is automatically recognised.
5. English Ability
Primary subclass 482 applicants must generally demonstrate the required level of English through an approved test unless an exemption applies.
The required score depends on the visa stream and current rules.
Professional regulators may impose additional English standards, particularly in healthcare.
6. Health and Character Requirements
Applicants may need:
- Medical examination
- Police certificates
- Biometrics
- Additional health information
Family members included in the application may also need to satisfy relevant requirements.
Documents to Prepare
Personal documents
- Valid passport
- Birth certificate
- Passport photographs
- Marriage certificate, where applicable
- Police certificates
- Medical documents, when requested
Employment documents
- Detailed CV
- Employment reference letters
- Payslips
- Promotion letters
- Job descriptions
- Professional portfolio
- Evidence of project results
Qualification documents
- Degree or diploma
- Academic transcripts
- Trade certificates
- Apprenticeship records
- Skills-assessment outcome
- Professional registration
- Industry certifications
Employer documents
The sponsoring employer normally manages the sponsorship and nomination documents.
You should receive:
- Written job offer
- Employment contract
- Position description
- Nomination information
- Sponsorship details
- Salary and benefit information
Do not submit altered employment or qualification documents.
How to Apply Directly
Step 1: Choose the Right Occupation
Target jobs that match your genuine experience.
Do not apply for mining-engineering positions simply because the salaries are attractive if your background is in general administration.
Step 2: Prepare an Australian-Style CV
Your CV should include:
- Professional summary
- Core skills
- Employment history
- Measurable achievements
- Qualifications
- Licences
- Professional registrations
- Technical tools
Avoid unnecessary personal details such as religion, marital status or a photograph unless specifically requested.
Step 3: Search Verified Job Sources
Suitable vacancies may appear on:
- SEEK
- Workforce Australia
- State and territory job platforms
- Professional association websites
- Company career pages
- Healthcare recruitment portals
- Mining and engineering job boards
Use search phrases such as:
- Employer sponsorship available
- Subclass 482 sponsorship
- Overseas applicants considered
- International candidates welcome
- Relocation assistance
- Regional employer sponsorship
- Skills in Demand visa support
Read the complete advertisement.
Some employers will consider workers already in Australia but not applicants applying from overseas.
Step 4: Tailor Every Application
Show how your experience matches the employer’s actual needs.
Instead of writing:
I want to relocate to Australia.
Write:
I have eight years of experience managing open-pit mining operations and introduced a maintenance schedule that reduced equipment downtime by 19%.
The employer’s main concern is the value you can provide.
Step 5: Prepare for Interviews
You may be asked to complete:
- Video interviews
- Technical assessments
- Trade tests
- Case studies
- Portfolio reviews
- Reference checks
- Licensing discussions
Be ready to explain your sponsorship needs honestly.
Step 6: Allow the Employer to Complete Its Part
The employer normally handles:
- Sponsorship approval
- Position nomination
- Labour-market testing
- Salary assessment
- Required employer charges
The worker submits the visa application after the appropriate employer steps are completed.
Do You Need an Agent?
You do not need an agent simply to search for jobs or apply directly to Australian employers.
You may choose to use a registered migration professional for complicated immigration matters, but you should not pay someone to manufacture:
- A job offer
- Sponsorship
- Skills assessment
- Employment reference
- Nomination approval
- Visa outcome
A genuine employer recruits you because it needs your skills.
How to Recognise Employment Scams
Be cautious when someone:
- Offers a position without an interview
- Promises a particular visa outcome
- Requests money for a job slot
- Uses an unrelated personal email address
- Refuses to identify the company
- Requests banking passwords
- Demands cryptocurrency
- Sends a poorly written contract
- Offers a very high salary for basic work
- Claims a visitor visa allows immediate employment
- Asks you to falsify experience
- Pressures you to make a quick payment
Verify the vacancy through the employer’s official career channel before submitting sensitive documents.
Working in Australia on A$100,000
A$100,000 is the gross annual salary before tax.
Your take-home income may be affected by:
- Income tax
- Medicare-related charges where applicable
- Retirement contributions
- Health insurance
- Rent
- Transport
- Food
- Childcare
- Professional registration
- Utilities
Australia requires employers to make compulsory superannuation contributions for eligible workers. Confirm whether the advertised salary is:
- A$100,000 plus superannuation, or
- A$100,000 including superannuation
The difference can affect your actual base salary.
Current Processing Priorities
From 25 July 2026, Australia introduced updated processing priorities for several skilled visas.
Applications connected to construction, healthcare and teaching occupations receive priority after positions supporting law-enforcement and defence interests. Applicants already in Australia are generally prioritised ahead of applicants outside Australia within comparable categories.
Priority processing does not change the eligibility requirements or determine the final decision.
Can Employer Sponsorship Lead to Permanent Residence?
Some employer-sponsored routes provide permanent residence directly, while others may create a possible later pathway.
Examples include:
- Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme
- Temporary Residence Transition from qualifying employment
- Subclass 494 followed by a qualifying regional permanent-residence route
- Labour-agreement pathways with permanent options
A temporary visa does not automatically become permanent residence.
The applicant must meet the requirements that apply at the time of the later application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a foreign worker earn over A$100,000 in Australia?
Yes. Many positions in mining, engineering, construction, technology and healthcare pay more than A$100,000.
Salary depends on the role, location and experience.
Can I apply from outside Australia?
Yes. Australian employers may consider applicants living overseas.
Some employers, however, limit vacancies to people already holding Australian work rights.
Does every A$100,000 job qualify for sponsorship?
No.
The occupation, salary, employer, applicant and visa route must all meet the relevant requirements.
Is subclass 482 still called the Temporary Skill Shortage visa?
No.
The Skills in Demand visa replaced the Temporary Skill Shortage visa in December 2024.
How much experience do I need for subclass 482?
Most applicants need at least one year of relevant experience in the nominated occupation or a related field.
Do I need a degree?
It depends on the occupation.
Professional roles may require a degree, while some trade occupations accept recognised technical training and experience.
Can my family accompany me?
Eligible family members may be included or apply as subsequent entrants, depending on the visa and circumstances.
Can my spouse work?
Family work rights depend on the visa granted and its conditions.
Should I pay an employer for sponsorship?
Do not buy a job offer or promised nomination.
Review any legitimate personal or official expenses carefully.
Does subclass 482 lead to permanent residence?
It may support a later permanent-residence application under an eligible route, but the outcome is not automatic.
How long does employer sponsorship take?
There is no universal timeline.
Timing depends on the employer, nomination, visa stream, occupation, application quality and government processing priorities.
Final Thoughts
Visa sponsorship opportunities paying over A$100,000 are available in Australia, particularly in:
- Mining
- Construction
- Engineering
- Technology
- Healthcare
- Energy
- Manufacturing
- Infrastructure
The strongest applicants usually have:
- Relevant qualifications or trade training
- Documented work experience
- Required professional registration
- Suitable English ability
- Measurable career achievements
- A CV tailored to the vacancy
- A genuine employer nomination
- Skills that address a real workforce need
Mining engineers, construction managers, software professionals, engineering managers, nurses, civil engineers and geologists are among the occupations where annual earnings can exceed A$100,000.
Focus on legitimate employers and positions that match your actual background.
Apply directly, prepare your documents carefully and avoid anyone offering employment or immigration approval in exchange for an unofficial payment.