How to Migrate to Australia from Pakistan: Complete 2026 Guide

Skilled Migration (Most Common) - Subclass 189 — Skilled Independent (no sponsorship needed) - Subclass 190 — State Nominated (+5 points) - Subclass 491 — Regional Skilled (provisional → permanent) - Popular occupations: Software engineers, IT professionals, accountants, civil engineers, doctors, nurses

Employer Sponsored - Subclass 482 — Temporary Skill Shortage - Subclass 186 — Direct entry employer nomination

Family - Partner visa (820/801) — If spouse is Australian citizen/PR - Parent visa (143/103)

Student Pathway - Growing option, especially for IT and healthcare courses

Pakistan has a strong IT sector, and Australian employers actively seek Pakistani IT talent:

• - Software Developer (261312) — Consistently on the MLTSSL
• - ICT Business Analyst (261111)
• - Developer Programmer (261312)
• - Database Administrator (262111)
• - Systems Administrator (262113)

Skills assessment is through ACS (Australian Computer Society). Pakistani IT degrees from HEC-recognised universities are generally accepted. You typically need to show 2-4 years of relevant work experience after your degree.

Pakistani applicants should be aware of:

• - Extended security checks — Pakistani passport holders may face longer processing times due to additional security assessments (4-8 months additional)
• - Military service declarations — Form 80 requires full disclosure of any military or security service
• - Police clearance — Obtain from both local police and FIA (Federal Investigation Agency)
• - Document verification — The Department may verify Pakistani documents directly with issuing authorities

A migration agent experienced with Pakistani applications can help navigate these requirements and avoid common delays.

Approximate costs:

• - Skills assessment (ACS): AUD $550
• - English test: AUD $350-400
• - Visa application: AUD $4,640 (subclass 189)
• - Migration agent: AUD $3,000-7,000
• - Health exam (approved physician in Pakistan): AUD $200-350
• - Police clearance (FIA): PKR 5,000-10,000
• - Document translation: AUD $500-1,500

Total: approximately AUD $9,000-14,000 for the primary applicant.

Visit our dedicated Pakistan migration page for links to agents who speak your language, relevant visa types, and community resources.

You can also use our Cost Estimator to get a personalised cost breakdown, or our Points Calculator to check your skilled migration score.