If you’ve been searching for a clear path to sign up for high-salary jobs, trusted immigration programs, smooth payments, and long-term retirement opportunities in countries like the UK, Canada, Australia, and Germany, this guide is your golden ticket.
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Australia’s 2026 skilled worker and investment programs are open, the application portals are active, and Nigerians are securing roles earning AUD $65,000–$180,000 yearly. This page shows you exactly how to apply, qualify, and get hired fast.
Why Travel to Australia as an Immigrant?
When Nigerians think of relocation, they often compare Canada, the UK, and Germany. But Australia has quietly become a top contender because it offers higher salaries, faster processing, and lower competition.
Imagine earning AUD $40–$70 per hour in entry-level roles, or AUD $85,000–$130,000 yearly in skilled jobs, while enjoying clean cities like Brisbane, Perth, Sydney, and Melbourne.
Australia’s standard of living is strong; minimum wage is AUD $23.23/hour, one of the highest globally.
Payments are weekly or bi-weekly, and benefits such as paid leave, healthcare subsidies, superannuation (retirement contributions), and employer-sponsored visas make it even more attractive.
If you want a place where your skills, from construction to tech to healthcare, can earn international-standard wages that actually support a comfortable life, Australia delivers.
And the demand for foreigners is rising because employers need staff immediately for 2025–2027 expansions.
High Paying Jobs for Immigrants in Australia
Australia’s labor market is experiencing a shortage across industries, and Nigerians are filling these gaps quickly.
Skilled roles pay especially well, with salaries ranging from AUD $70,000–$180,000 depending on experience. Even non-degree jobs earn surprisingly high wages.
Top high-paying roles for immigrants include:
- Registered Nurses – AUD $85,000–$110,000
- Electricians – AUD $80,000–$120,000
- Software Engineers – AUD $100,000–$160,000
- Plumbers – AUD $75,000–$115,000
- Truck Drivers – AUD $70,000–$95,000
- Accountants – AUD $90,000–$140,000
- Carpenters – AUD $65,000–$95,000
- Aged Care Workers – AUD $58,000–$70,000
- Chefs & Hospitality Staff – AUD $55,000–$80,000
- IT Project Managers – AUD $120,000–$180,000
Many of these employers offer visa sponsorship under programs like the TSS 482, Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS), and the Skilled Independent Visa (189).
Whether you’re in Lagos, Abuja, Accra, Nairobi, or Johannesburg, your profile can be evaluated and matched with openings.
Qualifications for Immigrants in Australia
Australian employers value practical skills, verifiable experience, and strong work ethics.
You don’t need a university degree for every role, but relevant training improves your chances and salary. For most skilled positions, certifications help boost your application.
Typical qualifications include:
- A Bachelor’s degree or diploma for skilled roles (teachers, engineers, IT, healthcare).
- Trade qualifications for technical roles like plumbing, welding, electrical works.
- Experience ranging from 1–5 years depending on the job category.
- Proof of skill assessment (for certain visa streams).
- Basic digital literacy for modern workplaces.
- Clean documentation and medical clearance.
Even if you don’t have formal education, roles in construction, caregiving, factory work, fruit picking, cleaning, and hospitality are accessible.
These jobs pay AUD $50,000–$75,000 yearly and often come with employer-led training.
Australia is especially interested in migrants who can fill workforce gaps quickly, so the system is designed to welcome people with practical experience from Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, South Africa, and beyond.
Salary Expectations for Immigrants in Australia
Australia is one of the few countries where immigrants earn almost the same as locals. Pay is regulated, transparent, and competitive. Even entry-level roles can deliver life-changing earnings.
Here’s what Nigerians typically earn:
- Healthcare workers: AUD $75,000–$110,000
- IT & tech experts: AUD $100,000–$160,000
- Construction workers: AUD $65,000–$95,000
- Accountants & finance roles: AUD $85,000–$140,000
- Hospitality roles: AUD $50,000–$72,000
- Truck & delivery drivers: AUD $70,000–$90,000
- Aged care & support staff: AUD $58,000–$70,000
- Teachers: AUD $75,000–$120,000
Weekly payments range from AUD $900 to $2,500, depending on your industry and skill level.
| JOB ROLE | SALARY RANGE |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $85,000 – $110,000 |
| Electrician | $80,000 – $120,000 |
| Software Engineer | $100,000 – $160,000 |
| Aged Care Worker | $58,000 – $70,000 |
| Truck Driver | $70,000 – $95,000 |
| Accountant | $90,000 – $140,000 |
| Carpenter | $65,000 – $95,000 |
| Chef | $55,000 – $80,000 |
| IT Manager | $120,000 – $180,000 |
| Construction Worker | $65,000 – $95,000 |
Eligibility Criteria for Immigrants
Australia’s immigration system is structured to reward skilled, employable, and financially capable applicants.
Whether you’re signing up for the skilled worker pathway or applying under investment routes, you must meet certain eligibility criteria.
Most Nigerians targeting 2025–2027 migration streams fall under the Skilled Independent Visa (189), Skilled Nominated (190), Regional Sponsored (491), or Investor Visa pathways, each with different salary advantages once employed, often between AUD $70,000–$160,000 per year depending on your industry.
Eligibility typically requires that you be between 18–45 years old, meet health and character standards, present documentation of your skills or education, and demonstrate the financial ability to settle.
Investors aiming for residency can show capital ranging from AUD $250,000–$1.25 million, depending on the investment class.
Skilled workers must also pass the Points Test, which factors in age, experience, qualifications, English proficiency, and occupation demand.
These criteria ensure that once you arrive, you’re well-positioned to secure full-time employment with high weekly payments of AUD $1,200–$2,500, especially in critical shortage regions like Perth, Adelaide, and Darwin.
Language Requirements for Immigrants
Australia requires proof of English proficiency for almost all skilled and investment programs. This is not designed to block applicants; it’s simply to ensure you’re ready to work in an English-speaking environment where salaries can reach AUD $150,000+ in roles like engineering, IT, and nursing.
Nigerians commonly sit for IELTS, PTE Academic, or TOEFL, with IELTS being the most widely accepted.
The average required score for skilled visas is IELTS 6.0–7.0 (or PTE equivalent), depending on your occupation. Investor visas may only require functional English, which is easier to obtain. For some employer-sponsored visas, companies even cover the test fee as part of the hiring process.
Your language score directly impacts your Points Test ranking, which increases your chances of receiving an invitation to apply.
Higher scores also increase employability; employers in cities like Sydney and Melbourne offer salaries between AUD $90,000–$160,000 for professionals who can communicate clearly with customers and colleagues.
Visa and Work Permit Requirements for Immigrants in Australia
Australia offers several visa routes that Nigerians can apply for depending on their goals, skilled work, temporary work, permanent residency, or investment.
These visas often lead to high-salary job placements, where immigrants earn AUD $70,000–$180,000 yearly and gain access to strong retirement benefits through superannuation payments.
The most popular visa categories include:
- TSS 482 Work Visa – Employer-sponsored; salaries usually AUD $70,000–$110,000
- Skilled Independent Visa (189) – Permanent residency; salaries AUD $80,000–$150,000
- Skilled Nominated Visa (190) – State-sponsored; salaries AUD $75,000–$130,000
- Skilled Regional Visa (491) – Regional areas; salaries AUD $70,000–$120,000
- Business Innovation & Investment Visa (188) – For investors with capital from AUD $250,000–$1.25 million
Every applicant must provide health clearance, police certificates, skill assessments (for certain occupations), and meet the English requirement.
Once approved, your work permit allows full-time jobs with weekly payments ranging from AUD $1,300 to $2,800, depending on industry demand.
Documents Checklist for Immigrants in Australia
Your documentation determines how fast your application moves. Missing even a single page can delay a visa by months, which is why Nigerians looking to relocate in 2026 should prepare now.
A complete document set improves your approval chances and increases your attractiveness to employers offering salaries from AUD $70,000–$140,000.
Here’s what you typically need:
- International passport (valid for 18+ months)
- Educational certificates (WAEC, OND, HND, BSc, MSc)
- Professional certifications
- Work experience letters with salary breakdowns
- Resume/CV in Australian format
- English test results (IELTS/PTE)
- Police clearance certificate
- Proof of funds (AUD $5,000–$15,000 depending on program)
- Skill assessment report (if required)
- Medical examinations (approved clinics only)
- Passport photographs (digital & printed)
- Marriage or birth certificates (if applicable)
Submitting this list correctly helps you start stronger in the employment market, especially in Western Australia and Queensland where jobs pay AUD $1,200–$2,400 weekly.
How to Apply for Jobs as Immigrants in Australia
Applying for jobs as a Nigerian immigrant requires precision, updated documentation, and the right platforms.
Employers in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane are constantly seeking workers due to critical shortages, offering salaries between AUD $65,000–$160,000 yearly depending on your field. Your goal is to present yourself as “job-ready” from the first application click.
Start with preparing a strong Australian-standard CV with clear achievements, job responsibilities, and quantifiable results, Australian employers love numbers.
Next, create accounts on verified job sites, sign up for alerts, and apply to openings that indicate visa sponsorship.
Highlight your availability, experience, English proficiency, and readiness to relocate. Many Nigerians secure interviews within 2–6 weeks and land job offers before even lodging visa applications.
You should also contact licensed migration agents who help you find employer-sponsored vacancies, especially in mining, healthcare, construction, and IT sectors.
These job offers often include weekly payments of AUD $1,500–$2,300, relocation support, and training packages that immediately boost your settlement process.
Top Employers & Companies Hiring Immigrants in Australia
Australia has a massive workforce shortage, and employers are actively signing up international applicants from Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Pakistan, India, and the UAE.
These companies offer competitive salaries ranging from AUD $65,000–$180,000, depending on your skill set.
Many of them provide relocation payments, visa sponsorship, and even temporary housing support.
Top employers hiring immigrants include:
- Woolworths Group – Retail & logistics roles paying AUD $55,000–$95,000
- BHP & Rio Tinto – Mining roles paying AUD $90,000–$170,000
- Commonwealth Bank, NAB & ANZ – Finance & tech jobs with salaries between AUD $85,000–$150,000
- Ramsay Health Care & Healthscope – Healthcare roles from AUD $70,000–$110,000
- Downer Group & CPB Contractors – Construction jobs between AUD $65,000–$120,000
- Coles Group – Logistics, driving, and warehouse roles paying AUD $60,000–$90,000
- Telstra & Optus – IT and telecom roles with salaries of AUD $95,000–$160,000
These companies recruit heavily from abroad to sustain growth in cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, Canberra, and Adelaide.
Where to Find Jobs for Immigrants
Finding jobs in Australia is straightforward once you know the right platforms that employers use to hire foreign talent. Salaries on these portals typically range from AUD $65,000–$150,000, and many listings indicate “Visa Sponsorship Available” directly in the job description.
Nigerians applying from Lagos, Abuja, Ibadan, Port Harcourt, or Enugu can sign up and submit applications instantly.
Top places to find immigrant jobs include:
- Seek – Australia’s largest job board
- LinkedIn Jobs – Global employers with real-time updates
- Indeed Australia – Thousands of new job postings daily
- JobActive – Government-supported job portal
- WorkForce Australia – Skilled roles with sponsorship
- Company career pages – BHP, Rio Tinto, Woolworths, Coles, and others
- Recruitment agencies – Hays, Michael Page, Randstad, Drake International
By applying consistently and customizing each application, you position yourself for job offers that come with weekly payments of AUD $1,300–$2,800 depending on role and location.
Working in Australia as Immigrants
Working in Australia comes with a level of stability and high earnings that beats many countries in Europe and North America.
Immigrants receive equal worker rights, meaning your salary, between AUD $70,000–$160,000 yearly, is protected by national legislation.
Employers in Australia value loyalty, reliability, and skill more than where you were born. Work culture emphasizes teamwork, safety, punctuality, and proper documentation of tasks.
Many roles allow overtime, which can increase your weekly earnings by AUD $300–$1,000, depending on your industry. Workers also benefit from superannuation (retirement payments) of 10.5% of your salary, paid directly by your employer.
Industries like construction, healthcare, mining, IT, and aged care rely heavily on foreign workers, especially Nigerians.
If you perform well, employers often sponsor permanent residency, giving you access to more benefits, higher-paying jobs, and long-term stability in cities like Perth, Adelaide, and Melbourne.
How to Migrate to Australia
Migrating to Australia is a step-by-step process that requires preparation, documentation, and choosing the correct visa pathway. Once approved, immigrants begin earning salaries from AUD $70,000 to $150,000, depending on their occupation.
Nigerians migrating in 2025–2027 typically follow the skilled worker, employer-sponsored, or investment pathway.
Here is the simplified migration process:
- Confirm your occupation is on the Skilled Occupations List.
- Take an English test (IELTS/PTE).
- Get your skill assessment done (if required).
- Create an EOI (Expression of Interest) on SkillSelect.
- Wait for an invitation to apply.
- Submit documents and pay visa fees.
- Receive visa outcome and prepare for travel.
- Begin job applications or complete employer onboarding.
Many migrants also work with registered MARA agents who simplify paperwork and help secure visa-sponsored jobs with weekly payments of AUD $1,500–$2,600.
FAQ about Temporary Housing Options for Immigrants in Australia
What is the average cost of temporary housing in Australia?
Temporary accommodation in cities like Sydney and Melbourne typically ranges from AUD $250–$500 per week, depending on location and housing type. In cities like Adelaide or Perth, you might spend AUD $180–$350 weekly.
Can new immigrants sign up for government housing assistance?
New immigrants on skilled visas do not automatically qualify for public housing, but some regional programs offer discounted rentals to workers earning under AUD $90,000 yearly.
Are employers required to provide temporary housing?
Some employers, especially in mining, healthcare, construction, and agriculture, offer 2–12 weeks of temporary housing, reducing initial settlement costs by AUD $1,000–$3,500.
Is it cheaper to pay for shared accommodation?
Yes. Shared apartments in Brisbane, Darwin, or Adelaide cost between AUD $120–$180 weekly, making them ideal for new immigrants earning between AUD $900–$2,400 weekly.
How soon can I rent an apartment after arriving?
You can rent immediately if you have funds ready (usually AUD $1,200–$2,000 for bond and first rent payment), valid ID, and proof of income or job offer.
Are housing costs deducted from my salary?
Not usually. Only employer-provided accommodation in remote areas includes deductions, typically AUD $80–$120 weekly.