Thinking about permanent residency (PR) in Australia as a Sound Technician (also known as Audio Technician, Sound Engineer, Live Sound Engineer)? This occupation carries the official Australian job code ANZSCO 399516 and sits on the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL), 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 Sound Technician
| Visa | Status | Main applicant fee |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Live SkillSelect Competition for Sound Technician
For the state-nominated pathways, submitted EOIs by state and territory are shown below. A single applicant can lodge one EOI selecting both 190 and 491, so the two columns overlap. Read each column across states rather than adding them together.
| State / Territory | 190 EOIs | 491 EOIs |
|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | 10 | 10 |
| Victoria | 10 | 10 |
| South Australia | 10 | 10 |
| Western Australia | 10 | 10 |
| Australian Capital Territory | 10 | 10 |
| Tasmania | 10 | 10 |
| Northern Territory | 10 | 10 |
Points of Submitted EOIs, by Subclass
Where submitted EOIs for Sound Technician sit (median score): Subclass 190 around 65; Subclass 491 around 70 points. Subclass 189 is points-only, so its score is directly comparable; 190 adds +5 and 491 adds +15 nomination points on top of your base score, which is why their pools typically show higher totals.
| Points range | 190 EOIs | 491 EOIs |
|---|---|---|
| 65 to 69 | 10 | 10 |
| 70 to 74 | 0 | 10 |
| 75 to 79 | 0 | 10 |
| 80 to 84 | 0 | 0 |
| 85 to 89 | 0 | 0 |
| 90+ | 10 | 10 |
Source: SkillSelect EOI data, April 2026 (national, by subclass). Counts are rounded by the Department of Home Affairs.
Who Assesses Sound Technician?
Before lodging an Expression of Interest, a Sound Technician must have their skills assessed by the relevant authority:
- Trades Recognition Australia
EOI Competition by State
See the live EOI competition for Sound Technician broken down by state: NSW · VIC · SA · WA · ACT · TAS · NT.
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 Sound Technician?
Your chances depend on your points score and pathway. Based on live SkillSelect data (April 2026), the strongest state demand (Subclass 190) is currently in New South Wales. 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 Sound Technician?
Sound Technician is on the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL), so the path to PR is: (1) get a positive skills assessment from Trades Recognition 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 190 (Skilled Nominated), Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional).
Can a audio technician get PR in Australia?
Yes. Roles such as audio technician, sound engineer, live sound engineer are covered by Sound Technician (ANZSCO 399516) 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 Sound Technician on the Australian skilled occupation list?
Yes. Sound Technician (ANZSCO 399516) is on the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL), which makes it eligible for the Subclass 190, Subclass 491 visa pathway.
Which visas can a Sound Technician apply for in 2026?
Based on the STSOL, Sound Technician can apply for 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 Sound Technician for migration?
Sound Technician is assessed by Trades Recognition Australia. You must obtain a positive skills assessment from this authority before you can be invited to apply.
How competitive is Sound Technician?
As at April 2026, among state-nominated pathways the most 190 interest was in New South Wales. Competition varies by state and subclass, so check each pathway rather than a single national figure.