Quick answer: Yes, you can still stay in Australia after 45. You just can’t use the usual points-tested route. Your best options are usually an employer-sponsored visa, a partner visa, a parent visa, or a talent visa.
This guide is for people who are already in Australia (onshore). It explains each option in simple words. It was checked in September 2026. Visa rules change often, so always confirm the latest details with the Department of Home Affairs or a registered agent.
What’s in This Guide
- Why Age 45 Matters
- Your Options at a Glance
- Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482)
- Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) After 45
- The High Income Age Exemption
- Partner Visa (Subclass 820/801)
- Parent Visas for Onshore Parents
- National Innovation Visa (Subclass 858)
- What About Study?
- What to Do Now If You Are Onshore
- Common Mistakes Over-45 Applicants Make
- FAQs
- Final Word
Why Age 45 Matters
Australia sets an age limit for many skilled visas. It is 45.
The Skilled Independent (189), Skilled Nominated (190) and Skilled Work Regional (491) visas need you to be under 45 when you are invited to apply. Once you turn 45, these three points-tested visas are closed to you.
The Employer Nomination Scheme (186) also has a limit of 45. But here the age is checked when you apply, and there are several exemptions.
The good news is that many visas have no age limit at all. Age is just one rule, not the end of the road.
Your Options at a Glance
| Visa | Age limit? | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Skills in Demand (482) | No age limit | Workers with an employer ready to sponsor |
| Employer Nomination Scheme (186) | Under 45, with exemptions | Permanent residency through an employer |
| Partner (820/801) | No age limit | Partners of citizens, PRs or eligible NZ citizens |
| Aged Parent / Contributory Aged Parent (804, 864/884) | Parent must be of Age Pension age | Older parents of settled Australians |
| National Innovation (858) | Any age, but 55+ must show exceptional benefit | Top talent in their field |
| Skilled (189/190/491) | Under 45 at invitation | Not open once you are 45 |
Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482)
This is a temporary work visa. An employer sponsors you for a skilled job. There is no upper age limit.
For many people over 45, this is the first step. You get the right to work, and you build your record with one employer.
Key points:
- You need a job offer from an approved sponsor.
- Your job must fit the rules of the stream you apply under.
- Your employer must pay at least the required salary.
- You must meet English, skills and health rules.
The 482 can also lead to permanent residency through the 186 visa. That is where the age question comes back, so read the next section carefully.
Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) After 45
The 186 is a permanent visa. Your employer nominates you. There is no points test.
The normal rule is under 45 at the time you apply. But some people are exempt. Here are the main groups.
Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream
This stream is for 482 (or older 457) visa holders who have worked for their employer for the required time. You usually need two years of eligible sponsored work in the last three years. Exemptions include:
| Exempt group | What it means in simple words |
|---|---|
| High income earners (482/457) | You earned at or above the Fair Work High Income Threshold for the years that count. See the next section. |
| Transitional 457 workers | You held or applied for a 457 visa on 18 April 2017. Your age limit is 50 instead of 45. |
| Academics | You are nominated by an Australian university as a university lecturer or faculty head. |
| Scientists | You are nominated by a science agency or university for a science role at skill level 1 or 2. |
| Regional doctors | You worked as a medical practitioner for at least two years in a designated regional area. |
| Coronavirus concession workers | Your pay was cut by COVID-19, so a reduced income test applies. |
Direct Entry stream
This stream needs a skills assessment and three years of work experience after your qualification. The age exemptions are fewer:
- Academics
- Scientists
- New Zealand citizens’ family members on a subclass 444 or 461 visa, if they worked for the employer for the required time
Labour Agreement stream
If your employer has a labour agreement with the Government, the agreement may set its own age rules. Ask your employer and your agent to check the terms.
Remember: an age exemption only removes the age rule. You must still meet every other 186 rule, such as skills, English, and a genuine job.
The High Income Age Exemption
This is the exemption most 482 workers over 45 ask about.
In simple words: you held a 482 visa for at least two of the last three years, worked in the nominated job, and were paid at or above the Fair Work High Income Threshold (FWHIT) for each of those years.
| Year | High Income Threshold |
|---|---|
| 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027 | $190,100 |
| 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026 | $183,100 |
| 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025 | $175,000 |
| 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024 | $167,500 |
| 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023 | $162,000 |
The way earnings are counted is technical. Keep your payslips, tax records and contract. An agent can work out if you qualify before your employer lodges anything.
Partner Visa (Subclass 820/801)
If your partner is an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen, you may qualify for a partner visa. There is no age limit.
If you are in Australia, you apply for the onshore 820 visa. This is the temporary stage. The permanent 801 visa follows later.
You need to prove your relationship is real and ongoing. This usually means:
- Joint bills, bank accounts or a lease
- Photos and travel records together
- Statements from friends and family
- Proof you live together and share life
Parent Visas for Onshore Parents
Do you have a child who is an Australian citizen or permanent resident? A parent visa may be possible.
- Aged Parent (subclass 804): lower fee, but a very long queue.
- Contributory Aged Parent (subclass 864, with the temporary 884 first): higher fee, but faster.
Both are for parents who have reached Age Pension age (currently 67) and who pass the balance-of-family test. That test checks that at least half of your children live in Australia, or more of them live here than in any other country.
These visas are strict and expensive. Speak to an agent before you decide which one suits you.
National Innovation Visa (Subclass 858)
This permanent visa replaced the Global Talent visa in December 2024. It is for people with an internationally recognised record of outstanding achievement in their field.
There is no set age limit. But if you are 55 or older, you must show you would be of exceptional benefit to Australia.
Key steps:
- Get a nominator with a national reputation in your field.
- Submit an Expression of Interest.
- If invited, lodge your visa application within the time limit.
Onshore applicants generally need a substantive visa. This visa is for a small group of high achievers. It is not a shortcut for most workers.
What About Study?
A student visa has no age limit. Many mature students study in Australia.
But be careful. Do not treat study as a “plan B” for permanent residency. The Genuine Student rules are strict, and the visa is only for study. Also, the Temporary Graduate (485) visa has its own, lower age limit.
Study makes sense if you truly want the course, or if it helps you get skilled work with an employer who will sponsor you later.
What to Do Now If You Are Onshore
- Check your visa end date. Do not let it expire. Overstaying causes serious problems.
- Write down your age dates. Know exactly when you turn 45 and 50.
- List your work history and pay. Payslips and tax returns matter for exemptions.
- Talk to your employer early. Ask if they will sponsor you or nominate you for permanent residency.
- Check your family ties. A partner, or a settled child, may open a family visa.
- Book a consultation with a registered agent. Do this before you lodge anything or change your visa.
Common Mistakes Over-45 Applicants Make
- Waiting until the last month of a visa to ask for advice.
- Lodging an application just before turning 45 without checking every other rule.
- Assuming an age exemption also waives skills or English rules. It does not.
- Changing employers without checking how it affects the 186 timeline.
- Relying on old blog posts. Age exemptions and income thresholds change.
- Using a consultant who is not registered.
FAQs
Can you immigrate to Australia after 45?
Yes. You cannot use the 189, 190 or 491 skilled visas after 45. But employer sponsorship, partner visas, parent visas and talent visas can still work, depending on your case.
Is there an age limit for the 482 visa?
No. The Skills in Demand (482) visa has no upper age limit. But the permanent 186 visa that may follow does.
Can I get a 186 visa if I am over 45?
Sometimes. You may qualify if you meet an exemption, such as high income, academic, scientist, or regional doctor status. You must also meet all other 186 rules.
Does the age limit apply on the day I apply or the day I am invited?
It depends on the visa. For 189, 190 and 491, the age is checked when you are invited. For the 186, it is checked when you apply.
I am 48 and on a 482. What should I check first?
Check your pay against the Fair Work High Income Threshold, and check whether any other exemption fits your job. Then speak to your employer and a registered agent.
Is a partner visa affected by my age?
No. There is no age limit. What matters is that your relationship is genuine and you meet the other rules.
Can I bring my parents if I am over 45?
That depends on your parents’ age and your status. Parent visas are for parents who have reached Age Pension age and pass the balance-of-family test. Your own age is not the issue.
Can I switch from a student visa to permanent residency after 45?
There is no direct route. Study can help you gain skills or find a sponsor, but you must meet the rules of the next visa on its own terms.
Do I need a registered migration agent?
You do not have to use one. But over-45 cases have narrow options and small mistakes can close doors. A registered agent can check the rules for your exact case.
How do I check that an agent is registered?
Ask for their MARN and search it on the OMARA register. It is free and takes a few minutes.
Final Word
Turning 45 changes your options, but it does not end them. The right path depends on your job, your pay, your family and your visa history.
The best step is to get your case checked early. At Asia Pacific Group, our MARA-registered agents have helped more than 120,000 people since 2009. We will look at your situation, tell you what is possible, and warn you about the risks.
Looking for a trusted migration agent Australia can rely on? Book a consultation with APG today.
Important: This article is general information. Visa rules, fees and thresholds change. Confirm current details on the Department of Home Affairs website before you act.
