Visa & Migration Services
Australia's immigration framework is dynamic and continually evolving. Understanding eligibility and preparing the right documents is critical — and skilled advice makes all the difference.
A note on accuracy. Visa fees, points thresholds, work-hour limits, stay periods and processing times are set by the Australian Government and change regularly. Rather than publish figures that go out of date, every section below links directly to the relevant Department of Home Affairs page, which is always the current authority. Your consultation with us covers how those requirements apply to your specific circumstances.
Student Visa (Subclass 500)
A temporary visa that lets international students live, study and work in Australia while enrolled in a registered full-time course — including higher education, VET, ELICOS and more.
How Long It Lasts
The visa period is generally tied to the length of your course, with different arrangements for postgraduate research and school-aged students. The maximum stay and any additional period granted are set by the Department and reviewed periodically.
What It Allows
- Study — enrol in a full-time course registered on CRICOS.
- Work — limited paid work during term, with different arrangements during scheduled course breaks. The fortnightly cap is set by the Department and has changed several times in recent years.
- Travel — enter and leave Australia while the visa is valid.
- Family — eligible family members may be included in your application.
Current work-hour limits, stay periods and application charges: Student visa (subclass 500) — Home Affairs
Genuine Student Requirement
Demonstrate that studying in Australia is the primary purpose of your stay — including your ties to your home country, your understanding of the course, and how it fits your future plans. Read the requirement
Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)
Obtain a CoE from a registered Australian education provider for each course you intend to study. Our admissions team handles this end to end.
Financial Capacity
Show sufficient funds for tuition, living costs and travel. The minimum amounts are indexed by the Department and vary with your circumstances, so we assess your position against the figures current at the time you apply.
English Proficiency
Meet the English requirements for your course and circumstances. Accepted tests include IELTS, TOEFL iBT and PTE Academic; the required scores are set by the Department and by your provider.
OSHC, Health & Character
Maintain valid Overseas Student Health Cover for your stay, and satisfy health examination and character (police certificate) requirements where these apply.
Application Process
Applications are lodged online through ImmiAccount. Submitting a complete, consistent and well-evidenced application is what avoids delays and requests for further information — that is exactly where we help.
Visitor Visa (Subclass 600)
For tourism, visiting family, or short business activities in Australia. A common choice for parents and relatives of students already here, and for clients exploring study options before committing.
Tourist Stream
For holidays, sightseeing or visiting family and friends. Applied for either inside or outside Australia.
Sponsored Family Stream
Where an eligible Australian relative sponsors the visit. A security bond may be requested by the Department.
Business Visitor Stream
For short business activities such as conferences, negotiations or exploratory visits — not for work in Australia.
What Matters in a Visitor Application
- Genuine temporary entry — evidence you intend to stay only for the period requested.
- Ties to your home country, such as employment, family or property.
- Sufficient funds to support yourself for the visit.
- Health and character requirements, and any sponsorship or bond where applicable.
Stay periods, entry arrangements and current charges: Visitor visa (subclass 600) — Home Affairs
A Common Question
Visitor visas carry a "no further stay" condition in some cases, which affects whether you can apply for another visa while in Australia. We check this before you travel, not after.
Temporary Graduate Visa (485)
Gives recent international graduates the chance to live, work and study in Australia temporarily — building local experience that often supports a longer-term pathway.
Post-Higher Education Work Stream
For graduates of an eligible Australian bachelor's degree or above. The period granted depends on your qualification level, and the Department adjusts these periods from time to time.
Post-Vocational Education Work Stream
For graduates of an eligible diploma, trade qualification or associate degree, generally in an occupation related to Australia's skills needs.
Eligibility Requirements
- Hold, or have recently held, an eligible student visa.
- Complete a CRICOS-registered course that meets the Australian study requirement.
- Meet the English language standard for the stream.
- Be under the maximum age for the stream at the time of application.
- Apply within the required window after completing your course.
- Satisfy health, character and insurance requirements.
Age limits, application windows, stay periods and eligible qualifications all change — check the current rules: Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) — Home Affairs
Why Timing Matters
The 485 has strict deadlines tied to your course completion date. Missing the window usually cannot be fixed. We map your dates as soon as your final results are confirmed.
Skilled Migration Visas
Points-tested pathways for qualified professionals. Which one suits you depends on your occupation, skills assessment, points score and whether you have state or family sponsorship.
Skilled Independent Visa (189)
A permanent residence visa for skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer, state or family member. Live and work anywhere in Australia.
Eligibility
- Submit an Expression of Interest through SkillSelect and receive an invitation to apply.
- Nominate an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list.
- Hold a positive skills assessment for that occupation.
- Meet the minimum points score, and be competitive against others invited in your occupation.
- Meet age, English, health and character requirements.
The minimum points score, how points are awarded and invitation rounds are all managed by the Department: Subclass 189 · SkillSelect & the points table
Points Are Not the Whole Story
Meeting the minimum score makes you eligible, not invited. Invitation cut-offs move with demand in your occupation, which is where realistic advice matters more than an optimistic points calculation.
Skilled Nominated Visa (190)
A permanent residence visa for skilled workers nominated by an Australian state or territory government.
- Submit an EOI through SkillSelect and receive an invitation.
- Nominate an occupation on the relevant skilled occupation list.
- Hold a positive skills assessment.
- Meet the minimum points score, plus the nominating state or territory's own criteria.
State and territory nomination criteria change each program year and are set independently of the Department. Current visa requirements: Subclass 190 — Home Affairs
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (491)
A provisional visa for skilled workers nominated by a state or territory, or sponsored by an eligible family member, to live and work in designated regional Australia.
- Provides a pathway to permanent residence through the subclass 191 once the requirements are met.
- Requires an invitation to apply through SkillSelect.
- Occupation on the relevant list plus a positive skills assessment.
- Minimum points score, plus regional nomination or eligible family sponsorship.
Designated regional areas, residence and income conditions for the 191 pathway: Subclass 491 — Home Affairs
Skilled Regional Visa (887)
A permanent residence pathway for people who have lived and worked in designated regional areas of Australia while holding an earlier eligible provisional visa.
Our registered migration agents assess your residence and work history against the requirements in force and prepare a complete, evidenced application.
Check the current residence and work requirements: Subclass 887 — Home Affairs
Application charges. We do not publish visa fees because the Department indexes them regularly. Get the current figure for your exact family composition using the official Visa Pricing Estimator, and check current visa processing times.
Sponsored Work Visas
Where an approved Australian employer sponsors you for a role they cannot readily fill locally. These pathways depend as much on the employer and the position as on the applicant.
Skills in Demand
The temporary skilled work visa, which replaced the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa. Structured in streams according to the skill level and earnings of the role, with different periods of stay and permanent residence pathways.
Employer Nomination Scheme
A permanent residence visa for skilled workers nominated by an approved Australian employer, available through the Direct Entry and Temporary Residence Transition streams.
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional
A provisional visa for skilled workers sponsored by an employer in designated regional Australia, with a pathway to permanent residence once the requirements are met.
What These Pathways Require
- An Australian business approved as a sponsor, and an approved nomination for the specific position.
- An occupation on the list applying to that visa and stream.
- Skills, qualifications and work experience relevant to the nominated role.
- A salary meeting the income threshold set for the stream, which is indexed annually.
- English, health and character requirements.
Occupation lists, income thresholds and sponsorship obligations are reviewed regularly. Employers can start here: Options for employers — Home Affairs
For Employers
We work with businesses on sponsorship approval, nomination and the compliance obligations that follow a successful application. Sponsorship is an ongoing commitment, not a one-off form.
Partner & Family Visas
For people joining or staying with an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen. These applications turn on evidence of the relationship, and they reward preparation.
Partner Visa (Apply in Australia)
A two-stage process: a temporary visa first, then permanent residence once the relationship has been assessed again after a qualifying period. For married and de facto partners already in Australia.
Partner Visa (Apply Overseas)
The equivalent two-stage pathway for partners applying from outside Australia, with the provisional visa granted first and permanent residence assessed later.
Parent & Other Family Visas
Several parent visa options exist, including contributory and non-contributory streams, each with very different costs, queue positions and waiting periods. There are also visas for dependent children, remaining relatives and carers in defined circumstances.
Parent visa queues and processing can run for many years and the settings are reviewed regularly, so we point clients to the official position rather than an estimate: About parent visas — Home Affairs
Evidence Is Everything
Partner applications succeed or fail on the quality of relationship evidence — financial, social, household and commitment. We help you build that record properly rather than assembling it in a rush at lodgement.
Not Sure Which Visa Fits?
Speak with our team to explore your options. We'll assess your circumstances and recommend the right pathway.