Last Updated: 16-May-2026

US H-1B Visa for Australians - Eligibility, Fees & How to Apply

The US H-1B visa is the most sought-after work visa for Australians looking to work in the United States. With access to top US employers across IT, engineering, healthcare and finance, higher salaries and a direct path to US permanent residency, the H-1B remains the most established route for skilled professionals to work and settle in the US.

Why Apply for a US H-1B Visa?

• Earn salaries starting from USD $100,000 per year
• Work with leading US companies
• Switch jobs without losing your visa status
• Bring your family to the US
• Apply for a US Green Card while you work

 

*Want to work in the US? Talk to Y-Axis for complete guidance.

What is the US H-1B Visa?

The US H-1B visa is an employer-sponsored work visa for skilled professionals in specialty occupations. US companies use the H-1B to hire foreign talent across IT, engineering, healthcare, finance and architecture, and file the petition with USCIS on your behalf.

H-1B Visa Lottery

USCIS runs the H-1B lottery every year when registrations exceed the annual cap of 85,000 visas. From FY2027, USCIS replaced the random lottery with a wage-based weighted selection system. Higher salary levels receive more entries and a better chance of selection.

Who Can Apply for a US H-1B Visa?

To qualify for a US H-1B visa, you need a job offer from a US employer and a bachelor's degree in a field related to the role.

• A formal job offer from a US employer willing to sponsor the H-1B petition
• A bachelor's degree or higher in a field directly related to the job role
• The job role must directly relate to your degree and field of study
• Professional licence or registration required for certain occupations such as medicine, law and engineering

*Want to check your eligibility for H-1B Visa? Get a free assessment from Y-Axis.

Documents Required for US H‑1B Visa

The US H-1B visa application requires documents from both the applicant and the sponsoring US employer. Below is a complete checklist of everything you need to prepare before applying.

Applicant Documents

• Valid Australian passport
• Bachelor's degree certificate and official transcripts
• Work experience letters from previous employers
• Professional licence or registration if required for your occupation
• Resume or CV
• Job offer letter showing job title, salary and start date

Employer Documents

• Certified Labour Condition Application (LCA) from the US Department of Labor
• H-1B petition (Form I-129)
• Company financial records and tax documents
• Support letter describing the job role and candidate qualifications

Visa Interview Documents

• H-1B approval notice (Form I-797)
• H-1B petition (Form I-129)
• DS-160 visa application confirmation page
• Visa application fee receipt (USD $205)
• Passport-size photographs taken within the last 6 months

How to Apply for a US H-1B Visa from Australia?

To apply for a US H-1B visa from Australia, you need a job offer from a US employer who will register you in the annual lottery and file the petition with USCIS on your behalf. Once approved, you attend a visa interview at a US consulate in Australia before travelling to the US.

Step 1: Get a job offer from a US employer willing to sponsor your H-1B visa

Step 2: Your employer obtains a certified Labour Condition Application (LCA) from the US Department of Labor

Step 3: Your employer submits your H-1B registration during the annual registration window and pays USD $215 per applicant

Step 4: USCIS conducts the lottery. If selected, your employer files the full H-1B petition with USCIS

Step 5: USCIS reviews and processes your H-1B petition

Step 6: Attend your visa interview at the US Embassy or Consulate in Sydney, Melbourne or Perth

Step 7: Receive your H-1B visa stamp and travel to the US

*Want to apply for a US H-1B visa? Get expert guidance from Y-Axis.

H-1B Visa Processing Time

The H-1B visa takes 3 to 9 months to process under regular processing. Premium processing is available for a faster decision within 15 business days for an additional fee.

Processing Type	Timeline
Regular Processing	3 to 9 months
Premium Processing	15 business days

After USCIS approval:

• Schedule a visa interview at the US consulate in Sydney, Melbourne or Perth
• Attend the interview and receive the H-1B visa stamp
• Travel to the US and begin work from the approved start date

H-1B Visa Fees and Costs

The US H-1B visa involves multiple government fees, most of which are the responsibility of the sponsoring employer. Applicants pay only the USD $205 visa application fee at the US consulate.

Fee Type	USD	AUD
Registration Fee	$215	AUD 297
Base Filing Fee — Small employer	$460	AUD 635
Base Filing Fee — Large employer	$780	AUD 1,077
ACWIA Training Fee — Small employer	$750	AUD 1,035
ACWIA Training Fee — Large employer	$1,500	AUD 2,070
Fraud Prevention Fee	$500	AUD 690
Asylum Program Fee	$600	AUD 828
Premium Processing (optional)	$2,965	AUD 4,092
Visa Application Fee (MRV)	$205	AUD 283
New Petition Fee — Overseas Applicants	$100,000	AUD 138,000

Note: The overseas applicant fee applies to new H-1B petitions for applicants outside the US without a valid H-1B visa. AUD amounts are approximate and subject to exchange rate fluctuations.

Can I Extend My H-1B Visa?

Yes. The H-1B visa is initially granted for 3 years and can be extended for a further 3 years, giving a total of 6 years. H-1B holders actively pursuing a US Green Card may qualify for additional extensions beyond 6 years.

Stage	Duration
Initial Grant	Up to 3 years
First Extension	Up to 3 years
Maximum Duration	6 years
Beyond 6 Years	Available if Green Card application is in progress

How to Extend Your H-1B Visa:

Step 1: Your employer confirms your eligibility for extension

Step 2: Employer files Form I-129 with USCIS before your current status expires

Step 3: USCIS reviews and issues a decision

Step 4: You may continue working while your extension is pending

*Want help extending your H-1B visa? Talk to Y-Axis for expert guidance today.

H-1B Visa Sponsorship Jobs and Salary in the US

The H-1B visa covers a wide range of specialty occupations across high-demand sectors in the US. Over 65% of H-1B approvals are in IT and STEM fields, with healthcare, finance and engineering also among the top hiring sectors.

Sector	Annual Salary (USD)	Annual Salary (AUD)
IT & Software	$130,000 – $180,000	AUD 179,000 – 248,000
Engineering	$110,000 – $160,000	AUD 152,000 – 221,000
Healthcare	$100,000 – $250,000+	AUD 138,000 – 345,000+
Finance and Accounting	$120,000 – $170,000	AUD 166,000 – 235,000
Architecture	$90,000 – $130,000	AUD 124,000 – 179,000
Scientific Research	$90,000 – $140,000	AUD 124,000 – 193,000

Also Read…

High-Paying Jobs in US for Skilled Professionals

H-1B Visa to US Green Card

The H-1B visa is one of the most effective pathways to US permanent residency. As a dual intent visa, it allows you to apply for a US Green Card while continuing to work in the United States.

Category	Eligibility	Employer Sponsorship
EB-1A	Extraordinary ability in your field	Not required
EB-2	Master's degree or bachelor's with 5 years experience	Required
EB-2 NIW	Work that benefits US national interest	Not required
EB-3	Bachelor's degree or skilled workers	Required

Green Card Process for H-1B Holders:

Step 1: Employer files PERM Labour Certification with the US Department of Labor

Step 2: Employer files Form I-140 (Immigrant Petition)

Step 3: Wait for a priority date to become available

Step 4: File Form I-485 to become a US permanent resident

* Want to migrate to the US permanently? Talk to Y-Axis for complete Green Card guidance.

Cap-Exempt H-1B Employers — No Lottery Required

Cap-exempt employers can file H-1B petitions at any time of year with no registration window and no cap limit, making them a strong option for Australians working in academia and research.

Cap-exempt employers include:

• Universities and colleges — public or private
• Non-profit organisations affiliated with a university
• Non-profit research organisations
• Government research organisations

Feature	Cap-Subject Employer	Cap-Exempt Employer
Lottery Required	Yes	No
Filing Window	April onwards	Any time of year
Annual Cap	85,000	No cap
Best For	Private sector roles	Academic and research roles

H-4 Dependent Visa for Spouse and Children

Spouses and children under 21 of H-1B visa holders can live in the US under H-4 status for the duration of the H-1B visa period.

• Spouse and children under 21 are eligible for H-4 dependent visa
• Spouse may apply for an Employment Authorisation Document (EAD) to work in the US
• EAD is available if the H-1B holder has an approved I-140 or has been granted an H-1B extension beyond 6 years
• Children can study in US schools

*Want to bring your family to the US? Talk to Y-Axis today.

E-3 Visa for Australians — No Lottery Required

The E-3 visa is available only to Australian citizens. With no lottery, a high chance of approval and a processing time significantly faster than the H-1B, it is the most accessible US work visa for Australian professionals.

Feature	E-3 Visa	H-1B Visa
Eligibility	Australian citizens only	Any eligible nationality
Annual Cap	10,500	85,000
Lottery Required	No	Yes
Visa Duration	2 years	3 years
Maximum Stay	Indefinitely renewable	6 years
Green Card Pathway	No formal dual intent	Yes — dual intent
Spouse Work Rights	Yes — automatic on entry	Yes — via H-4 EAD
Processing Time	1 to 3 months	3 to 9 months
Best For	Fast US work, no lottery	Long-term career and Green Card

*Want to know which visa is right for you? Talk to Y-Axis for a free assessment.

H-1B Visa RFE — What You Need to Know

A Request for Evidence (RFE) is a notice from USCIS asking for additional information to process your H-1B petition. Receiving an RFE is a normal part of the process — it is an opportunity to strengthen your application with additional supporting evidence.

• Review the RFE carefully and understand exactly what USCIS is requesting
• Gather all additional documents and evidence requested
• Work with your employer's immigration attorney to prepare a strong response
• Submit your response before the USCIS deadline — typically 87 days from the RFE date
• Premium processing restarts from the date USCIS receives your RFE response

*Received an H-1B RFE? Talk to Y-Axis for expert guidance today.

Tips to Increase Your Chances for H-1B Visa Approval

The H-1B visa process is straightforward when you are well prepared. Understanding the most common mistakes helps you submit a stronger application and avoid delays.

• Ensure the role clearly qualifies as a specialty occupation
• Make sure your degree is directly related to the job role
• Submit complete and consistent documents throughout the process
• Employer must clearly demonstrate a genuine employer-employee relationship
• Register during the annual window — no late filings are accepted
• Avoid travelling outside the US while an extension petition is pending

*Want expert help with your H-1B application? Talk to Y-Axis today.

How Can Y-Axis Help You?

Y-Axis has helped thousands of skilled professionals work and settle in the United States. Our team supports you through every stage of the H-1B visa process, from eligibility assessment to consulate interview preparation.

• H-1B and E-3 visa eligibility assessment
• US job search and employer sponsorship guidance
• Document preparation for lottery registration and petition filing
• Labour Condition Application (LCA) guidance
• Interview preparation for US consulate appointments in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth
• H-4 dependent visa support
• H-1B to US Green Card transition planning
• Family visa and US relocation support

*Looking for complete H-1B visa support from Australia? Talk to Y-Axis — the world's No. 1 overseas immigration consultancy.

 

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