Working in Australia for Filipinos — Complete Guide 2026
Australia is home to over 400,000 Filipino Australians, with a rapidly growing community driven by skilled migration. The country's points-based immigration system, high wages, excellent work-life balance, and clear pathway to permanent residency make it a top choice for Filipino professionals.
Visa Pathways
Subclass 189 — Skilled Independent
- Points-tested: Need 65+ points (age, English, experience, education, etc.)
- No sponsor required — invitation-based via SkillSelect
- Result: Permanent residency from day one
- Processing: 6-18 months after invitation
- Occupation must be on MLTSSL (Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List)
Subclass 190 — State Nominated
- Similar to 189 but with state/territory nomination (adds 5 points)
- Must commit to living in the nominating state for 2 years
- More occupations eligible than Subclass 189
- Popular states for Filipinos: NSW, VIC, QLD, SA, WA
Subclass 482 — Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS)
- Employer-sponsored work visa. 2-4 years depending on stream.
- Short-term stream: 2 years, limited PR pathway
- Medium-term stream: 4 years, leads to PR (subclass 186) after 2-3 years
- Minimum salary: AUD 73,150/year (or market rate, whichever is higher)
Subclass 491 — Skilled Work Regional
- For regional areas (outside Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane)
- 5-year provisional visa with pathway to PR (subclass 191) after 3 years
- Adds 15 points for regional nomination
- Good option for those who don't meet 189/190 points thresholds
Points Calculator (Subclass 189/190)
| Factor | Points |
|---|---|
| Age 25-32 | 30 |
| Age 33-39 | 25 |
| Age 18-24 or 40-44 | 15 |
| IELTS 8+ all bands (Superior) | 20 |
| IELTS 7+ all bands (Proficient) | 10 |
| Bachelor's degree | 15 |
| Master's degree | 15 |
| PhD | 20 |
| 8+ years overseas work experience | 15 |
| 5-7 years overseas experience | 10 |
| 3-4 years overseas experience | 5 |
| State nomination (190 only) | 5 |
| Regional nomination (491 only) | 15 |
| Partner skills (if applicable) | 5-10 |
Minimum 65 points required. Competitive scores are typically 80-90+ for popular occupations.
Salary & Cost of Living
Average Salaries
| Profession | Annual Salary (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | 75,000-110,000 |
| Software Developer | 80,000-140,000 |
| Mechanical Engineer | 75,000-120,000 |
| Accountant | 65,000-95,000 |
| Aged Care Worker | 55,000-70,000 |
| Electrician / Plumber | 70,000-100,000 |
| Chef | 55,000-75,000 |
Australia has a national minimum wage of AUD 24.10/hour (AUD 46,000/year). Superannuation (employer pension contribution) of 11.5% is paid on top of salary. Weekend/public holiday penalty rates: 25-100% extra.
Monthly Expenses
| Expense | Sydney | Melbourne | Brisbane |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1-bed) | AUD 2,500-3,500 | AUD 1,800-2,800 | AUD 1,600-2,500 |
| Groceries | AUD 400-600 | AUD 350-550 | AUD 300-500 |
| Transport (monthly pass) | AUD 200 (Opal) | AUD 160 (Myki) | AUD 150 (go card) |
| Utilities | AUD 200-350 | AUD 180-300 | AUD 150-280 |
Filipino Community in Australia
- Population: ~400,000 Filipino Australians (one of the fastest growing communities)
- Largest communities: Sydney (Blacktown, Parramatta), Melbourne (Dandenong, Southeast), Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide
- Filipino Month: June is celebrated across Filipino Australian communities
- Jollibee: Multiple locations in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane
- Filipino grocery: Pinoy Supermart, Filipino shops in most major suburbs
- Philippine Embassy Canberra: Full consular services
- Consulates: Sydney, Melbourne
Related Pages
Regional Advantage
Consider regional Australia (outside major cities). Regional visa applicants get 15 extra points and faster processing. Cities like Adelaide, Hobart, Canberra, and Gold Coast have lower costs and growing Filipino communities.