Australia Points vs H-1B Lottery: Which Path Suits Skilled Workers?

Australia and the United States take sharply different paths to attract global talent, and those choices carry real consequences for people planning work, study, and family life abroad. Australia uses a merit-based points test to select skilled migrants, while the United States relies on the H‑1B lottery to award a limited number of work visas each year. For many professionals comparing an Australia points visa with the U.S. H‑1B route, the question is simple: which model offers more control, clarity, and stability?

How the systems select candidates

Australia’s General Skilled Migration program evaluates candidates on age, English test scores, education, work experience, and whether the job is on a national occupation list. Applicants who reach 65 points or more can seek skilled visas such as Subclass 189, Subclass 190, or Subclass 491 without needing employer sponsorship.

By contrast, the U.S. H‑1B requires employer sponsorship and selection in a random draw capped at 85,000 visas per year. The two systems shape not just who gets in, but the kind of lives they can build once they arrive.

The Australia points test — predictable and measurable

The points test rewards measurable achievements and is relatively transparent.

• Age bands favor applicants in their late 20s and early 30s, but:
  • Strong English scores, advanced degrees, and proven skilled work experience can lift candidates across age groups.
• Extra points can come from a state or territory nomination or a skilled partner.
• If totals meet the 65-point threshold, candidates may be invited to apply for a skilled visa.

Official visa pages list requirements in detail, including:
– Subclass 189 – Skilled Independent (no state nomination)
– Subclass 190 – Skilled Nominated
– Subclass 491 – Skilled Work Regional (Provisional)

The U.S. H‑1B lottery — employer-led and chance-based

The H‑1B route prioritizes employer demand but uses a lottery when demand exceeds the cap.

1. A U.S. company submits a candidate during the annual H‑1B registration period.
2. If selected in the lottery, the employer files a petition.
3. If the petition is approved, the worker may stay for up to 3 years, with one renewal to reach 6 years.

The cap, lottery, and requirement to maintain employer sponsorship mean workers have less control over timing, job changes, and long-term plans. The official overview is on the U.S. government’s H‑1B specialty occupations page.

Key difference: Australia’s system rewards a record of skill and independence; the U.S. prioritizes employer need but adds a layer of chance.

What candidates and analysts say

• VisaVerge.com reports that many who choose Australia cite transparency and a clearer route to permanent residency (PR).
• Those who prefer the U.S. emphasize access to leading employers and global-scale projects.
• The trade-off: control versus brand-name opportunity — Australia offers more say over timeline and settlement; the U.S. offers top-tier corporate platforms but requires acceptance of lottery risk and tighter employer ties.

Permanent residency and family impacts

Australia’s system is geared toward PR:

• The PR pathway unlocks access to Medicare, public services, and a path to citizenship.
• PR grants families long-term security and fuller rights, including for children born in the country.

In the U.S.:

• H‑1B holders can pursue a green card through employment, but progress often depends on employer commitment and country-specific queues.
• An H‑1B worker’s ability to switch jobs or travel can be affected by petition timing and status changes, adding uncertainty to life plans.

For families, Australia’s PR stability reduces pressure around partner work authorization and schooling continuity. In the U.S., spouses of H‑1B workers receive H‑4 status; some can apply for work authorization, but gaps and travel sensitivities can remain during change-of-status periods.

Study-to-work pathways — clearer vs. lottery-dependent

Students face another stark contrast.

Australia’s typical sequence:
– Subclass 500 – Student → Subclass 485 – Temporary Graduate → compete for PR via Subclass 189 or Subclass 190.
– Universities and state programs reinforce this sequence, making planning easier for graduates.

U.S. sequence:
– F‑1 student status → OPT (Optional Practical Training) (usually 1 year, longer with STEM extension) → try to secure H‑1B sponsorship and lottery selection.
– If the lottery doesn’t go the student’s way, plans can stall.

The lottery dependency is the single biggest difference students report when comparing the two countries.

Sector demand and targeting

Demand across sectors shapes intake and opportunities:

• Australia ties skilled migration intake to labor needs in IT, health, construction, teaching, and clean energy.
  • State and regional programs can boost invitations in priority fields, especially outside major cities.
  • Australia can target shortages directly through points settings and occupation lists.
• The United States remains a magnet for technology, finance, and research, but visa caps and the H‑1B lottery limit yearly inflows.
  • The U.S. system filters demand through employer filings and the cap.

Costs, paperwork, and predictability

Australia:
– Requires English tests, skills assessments, health checks, and police certificates.
– These steps cost time and money, but offer predictability: meeting criteria generally moves your case forward.

U.S.:
– H‑1B is employer-led, with government fees often paid by the company.
– Still, the worker’s fate hinges on lottery selection and petition timing.

People who prefer detailed planning often favor Australia; those aiming for a specific U.S. employer may accept lottery risk.

Common questions and practical advice

• Is the points test too competitive?
  • It can be in popular occupations. Strong English scores and documented skilled work experience are the most reliable ways to exceed the 65-point floor.
  • A state nomination can add points and sometimes priority in invitations.
• On the U.S. side, the biggest hurdle is the lottery—even standout candidates face chance.

Practical steps by preference:
1. If you value control and a clear PR target:
– Focus on Australia’s points stream.
– Invest early in English testing and skills assessments.
– Consider a state nomination to boost points.
2. If you aim for a specific U.S. team or product:
– Network with U.S. employers and time job searches around the H‑1B cycle.
– Plan backups if the draw doesn’t go your way.

At a glance — policy models

• Australia (🇦🇺): Merit-based points for age, English, education, experience, and job demand; no employer sponsorship required for Subclass 189; clear PR and citizenship route.
• United States (🇺🇸): Lottery-based H‑1B linked to employer demand; selection tied to 85,000 cap; green card possible but timelines vary widely by country and category.

Impact on students and families — summary

• Australia:
  • Student-to-PR track is well-mapped (Subclass 500 → Subclass 485 → skilled visas).
  • Families gain stability once PR is granted.
• United States:
  • F‑1 → OPT → H‑1B is common, but the H1B lottery adds risk.
  • Family work rights depend on status and approvals tied to the primary worker.

Official resources

For official guidance, consult government pages for each stage and visa type:

• U.S. overview of H‑1B specialty occupations: USCIS H‑1B
• Australia student visa Subclass 500: Department of Home Affairs
• Temporary Graduate Subclass 485: Department of Home Affairs
• Skilled Independent Subclass 189: Department of Home Affairs
• Skilled Nominated Subclass 190: Department of Home Affairs
• Skilled Work Regional Subclass 491: Department of Home Affairs
• U.S. student work rules (OPT): USCIS OPT

Final takeaway

The choice between an Australia points visa and the U.S. H‑1B comes down to risk tolerance and long-term goals. Australia rewards a documented record of skill with a predictable path to PR and family stability. The United States offers access to elite employers and large-scale projects but requires acceptance of the H‑1B lottery and tighter employer control. Each system appeals to different career and family dreams: Australia for planned settlement through skilled migration; the U.S. for employer-led roles filtered by chance and America’s vast job market.