The 457 temporary visa allows an applicant to stay and work in Australia for up to 4 years. The applicant requires a job offer for this visa.                            

Many people apply for a temporary visa as part of their long-term plan of acquiring a permanent visa. The path you follow in this instance is critical, as you'll need to ensure you can meet the permanent visa criteria later on. 

There is also the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) which is a permanent visa, sponsored by an employer.