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Can You Immigrate to Australia if You Are Over 50?

What if you're over 50? Can you still immigrate to Australia? While age can be a factor in the immigration process, there are still several pathways available for individuals over 50 to move to Australia.

  1. Temporary Skill Shortage (Subclass 482): This Temporary Work Visa subclass allows for Australian employers to sponsor skilled workers for positions that lack Australian workers. There are three streams in which you can apply for a visa:

  • Short term stream: must be an occupation on the list of eligible short-term skilled occupations, which allows you to work in Australia for two years

  • Medium- term stream: must be a nominated occupation on either the Medium and Long-term strategic skills list or the Regional Occupation List. This allows you to work in Australia for up to four years.

  • Labour Agreement Stream: this is through a nomination through a specific occupation under terms of a Labour Agreement. Which allows you to work in Australia for a maximum of four years but depends on the Labour Agreement.

  1. Global Talent Visas (Subclass 858): The purpose of the Global Talent Visa is to attract the world’s best and brightest talent to grow Australia’s economy. This pathway can bypass some of the age-related restrictions if you have an internationally recognised record of occupational outstanding achievement in one of the following

  • Profession

  • A sport

  • The arts

  • Academic research

  1. Business and Investment Visas (Subclass 188): Is a four-year provisional visa for business owners and investors to migrate through various visa options. Then you will be able to apply for permanent residency though the Business Innovation and Investment Visa (Subclass 888) The requirements to meet under Subclass 188 will depend on the stream through which you apply:

  • Business innovation stream – business skills – operating a new or existing business in Australia

  • Investor stream – investment minimum is AUD $2.5 million in Australia

  • Significant investor stream – investment minimum AUS $5 million in Australia

  • Entrepreneur stream – startup stage entrepreneur investments

  • Premium investor stream – nominated by Austrade and investment minimum AUD $15 million in Australian investment.

  1. Parent Visas: There are several parent visas available to the parents of Australian citizens and permanent residents and Eligible New Zealand (ENZ) citizens:

  • Aged Parent visa (subclass 804): You must be old enough to receive the age pension in Australia.

  • Contributory Aged Parent visas (subclasses 864 and 884): You must be old enough to receive the age pension in Australia for each facility member.

  • Contributory Parent visas (subclasses 143 and 173): You must apply as a retiree permanent resident regulated a contributory payment of AUD $48,495 and additional change

  • Parent visa (subclass 103): You must apply as a retiree.

  • Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa: You’ll need an approved Parent Sponsor to apply.


While age is a factor in points-based visas (such as the Skilled Independent Visa), those over 50 generally face challenges due to the points system favouring younger applicants. However, if you are applying under employer sponsorship or for business and investment visas, age is less of a consideration. Indeed, for parent visas, age is an advantage.

For more information regarding visa options, please contact our office on: +61 3 94163463 or email: email@osullivanandruffilli.com.au

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