This is a worked case study for a Metallurgist migrating to Australia under ANZSCO 234912. Multiple pathways: Subclass 189, Subclass 190, Subclass 491 → 191, Subclass 186 Direct Entry, Subclass 494 → 191, and Subclass 482.
For visa-by-visa context, see the 234912 pathway guide and the VETASSESS skills assessment guide.
The case profile
Anonymised composite. 35-year-old senior metallurgist, BSc Extractive Metallurgy and PhD Metallurgical Engineering. AusIMM CP. 12 years professional career: 4 years junior metallurgist at major UK / European junior, 4 years senior metallurgist at major UK / Africa gold / copper processing project, 4 years Lead Metallurgist at major UK / European mining operator. PTE 79+. Family: spouse + one child under 18.
Pathway A — Subclass 189 (Independent PR)
Fees (primary + spouse + 1 child)
| Item | AUD |
|---|---|
| VETASSESS skills assessment | 1,096 |
| 189 visa fees (family of 3) | 8,560 |
| Health, police, English | 1,050 |
| Total applicant-side | ~10,706 |
Total wall-clock time: 12 to 24 months end-to-end.
Pathway B — Subclass 190
| Item | AUD |
|---|---|
| VETASSESS skills assessment | 1,096 |
| 190 visa fees (family of 3) | 8,560 |
| State nomination fee | 200-800 |
| Health, police, English | 1,050 |
| Total applicant-side | ~10,906 - 11,506 |
Pathway C — Subclass 186 Direct Entry
| Item | AUD |
|---|---|
| VETASSESS skills assessment | 1,096 |
| 186 visa fees (family of 3) | 8,595 |
| Health, police, English | 1,050 |
| Total applicant-side | ~10,741 |
Employer SAF levy: AUD 5,000 (large business — BHP, Rio Tinto, FMG, Newmont, Pilbara Minerals, Rio Tinto Yarwun, BlueScope) one-off, plus AUD 540 nomination fee. Total wall-clock time: 6 to 18 months.
Pathway D — Subclass 491 → 191 / 494 → 191 / 482
Strong regional pathway via Pilbara, Goldfields WA, Mt Isa, Gladstone. Total wall-clock time: ~60 months.
Side-by-side
| Path | Applicant cost | Employer cost | Wall-clock to PR | VETASSESS required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 189 (Independent) | AUD ~10,706 | AUD 0 | 12-24 months | Yes |
| 190 (state-nominated) | AUD ~11,200 | AUD 0 | 12-24 months | Yes |
| 186 Direct Entry | AUD ~10,741 | AUD 5,540 | 6-18 months | Yes |
| 491 → 191 | AUD ~12,200 | AUD 0 | ~60 months | Yes |
| 494 → 191 | AUD ~12,281 | AUD 6,000-25,540 | ~60 months | Yes |
| 482 → 186 TRT | AUD ~17,670 | AUD 9,000-25,000+ | 30-36 months | Yes (at 186 stage if DE) |
Things that frequently surprise people
Mining houses with internal metallurgy teams. BHP, Rio Tinto, FMG, Newmont, Northern Star, IGO, Pilbara Minerals, Liontown — substantial metallurgist hiring.
Smelters / refineries. Tomago Aluminium, Rio Tinto Yarwun, QAL alumina, Nyrstar, South32 Worsley.
Steel. BlueScope (Port Kembla), Liberty Steel (Whyalla).
Mining consultancies. SRK, AMC, Snowden, RungePincockMinarco, ALS Metallurgy.
Code matters. ANZSCO 234912 = process / extractive metallurgy. Materials engineering = 233112 (Engineers Australia). Mining engineering = 233611.
Health examinations expire after 12 months. If your visa takes longer than 12 months to grant, expect to redo them.
Tax residency starts on arrival. The Australian tax year runs 1 July to 30 June. See ATO residency rules before signing.
MARA registration is mandatory for paid migration assistance. Verify any agent at the MARA register.
Tools
- Visa fee calculator — model 189, 190, 491, 186, 494, or 482 fees
- Document checklist — VETASSESS evidence pack
- ANZSCO search — confirm 234912 vs 233112 / 233611
- Eligibility wizard
- Invitation rounds tracker — for 189 / 190 round cut-offs
Where to verify the numbers
Next step
Want to model 189 vs 190 vs 491 vs 186 vs 494 vs 482 against your metallurgy profile? Book a 30-minute free strategy call. We will work through pathway choice and walk through your VETASSESS readiness.