Thinking about permanent residency (PR) in Australia as a Rheumatologist (also known as Joint Specialist, Arthritis Specialist)? This occupation carries the official Australian job code ANZSCO 253323 and sits on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), so you can apply for the skilled visas below. Here you will find how to get PR, your visa options, the points you need, the body that checks your skills, current fees, and how competitive it is right now, from live SkillSelect data.
How skilled migration works (in plain English)
Australia selects skilled migrants using a points test. If your job is on an official skilled occupation list (like this one), you can compete for a visa. Most people follow four steps:
- Get a skills assessment. An approved assessing body (listed further down) confirms your qualifications and work experience match this occupation.
- Submit an EOI. An Expression of Interest (EOI) is a free online profile in the government's SkillSelect system. It records your points score and the visa you want.
- Wait for an invitation. The government, and for some visas a state, invites the highest scorers to apply. A higher score means a better chance.
- Apply for the visa. Once invited, you lodge the full application and pay the fee.
The three main skilled visas on this page are:
- Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent): permanent residency, no sponsor needed, decided purely on points.
- Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated): permanent residency where a state or territory nominates you and adds 5 points.
- Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional): a 5 year provisional visa for regional Australia that adds 15 points and leads to permanent residency later.
Your points come from things like age, English level, work experience and qualifications. The minimum to enter the pool is 65 points, but the scores that actually get invited are usually higher, as the tables below show.
Skilled Visa Pathways for Rheumatologist
| Visa | Status | Main applicant fee |
|---|---|---|
| Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent) | Eligible | $6,135 |
| Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated) | Eligible | $6,140 |
| Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional) | Eligible | $6,140 |
Fees shown are the primary-applicant base charge and change over time. Confirm current charges with the Department of Home Affairs before lodging.
SkillSelect Competition
No current SkillSelect EOI data is published for Rheumatologist. This is normal for occupations that receive very few applications. The visa eligibility, fees and skills assessment details above still apply.
Who Assesses Rheumatologist?
Before lodging an Expression of Interest, a Rheumatologist must have their skills assessed by the relevant authority:
- Medical Board of Australia
Subclass 189 Occupation Ceiling
Specialist Physicians: 473 of 578 189 places remaining for FY25-26
This is a shared, group-level figure. Australia sets 189 occupation ceilings for the broader ANZSCO occupation group (the 4-digit code 2533), not for each individual occupation. Rheumatologist belongs to the Specialist Physicians group, so this ceiling is shared across every occupation in that group, not reserved for Rheumatologist alone. When the group ceiling is close to full, 189 invitation rounds for the whole group slow down.
Check your eligibility and points across the 189, 190 and 491 visas in minutes, with Kobi, backed by live SkillSelect data.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are my chances of getting PR in Australia as a Rheumatologist?
Your chances depend on your points score, chosen visa and state nomination. The 65-point minimum only lets you lodge an EOI — a higher score, and pursuing a state (190) or regional (491) pathway, materially improve your odds of an invitation.
How do I get PR in Australia as a Rheumatologist?
Rheumatologist is on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), so the path to PR is: (1) get a positive skills assessment from Medical Board of Australia; (2) submit a free SkillSelect Expression of Interest (EOI) with your points score; (3) receive an invitation; and (4) lodge your visa. The main pathways are Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent), Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated), Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional).
Can a joint specialist get PR in Australia?
Yes. Roles such as joint specialist, arthritis specialist are covered by Rheumatologist (ANZSCO 253323) for Australian skilled migration, as long as your skills assessment maps to this occupation. The visa options, points and competition on this page apply.
Is Rheumatologist on the Australian skilled occupation list?
Yes. Rheumatologist (ANZSCO 253323) is on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), which makes it eligible for the Subclass 189, Subclass 190, Subclass 491 visa pathway.
Which visas can a Rheumatologist apply for in 2026?
Based on the MLTSSL, Rheumatologist can apply for Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent), Subclass 190 (Skilled Nominated), Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional). Eligibility also depends on your points score, skills assessment and (for 190/491) state nomination.
Who assesses Rheumatologist for migration?
Rheumatologist is assessed by Medical Board of Australia. You must obtain a positive skills assessment from this authority before you can be invited to apply.