Australian visas

Australian employer sponsored visas

An employer sponsored visa is a great way to make a permanent move to Australia. To be eligible you will need to find an Australian-based employer to sponsor you.

Temporary Skilled Shortage visa (subclass 482 visa)

In April 2018, the Temporary Work (Skilled) visa (subclass 457 visa) was replaced with the Temporary Skilled Shortage (TSS) visa.

The TSS visa has a short-term stream and a medium-term stream. The stream you apply for is dependent on which list your occupation is on. Applicants with occupations on the Short-term Skilled Occupations List (STSOL) are eligible for a visa of up to two years on the short-term stream. Applicants who apply for jobs on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) are eligible for a visa of up to four years on the medium-term stream, and may apply for permanent residency after three years.

Standard business sponsorship (SBS)

Businesses who wish to employ workers from another country first need to obtain an SBS to sponsor overseas workers on the TSS visa streams. As each application is assessed by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection, Australian companies who wish to sponsor international applicants need to show that they are legally trading in Australia and have processes in place to train local employees.

Overseas businesses with plans to expand their business in Australia, or with contracts to fulfil in the country, are also able to apply for an overseas business SBS. If granted, these foreign companies can make use of the TSS visa. The companies must declare that they have been unable to find a suitable local worker from the Australian work force.

Nomination

Employers must select the role that needs to be filled from the defined list of skilled occupations. All nominated roles need to meet certain minimum criteria relating to salary and skill level.

Once a role is selected, immigration authorities will evaluate the nomination and determine whether it meets their criteria. As nominations are thoroughly examined, it is important that applications are well-prepared and correctly completed.

Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186 visa)

These applicants usually hold positions that appear on Australia’s Skilled Occupation List.

The Subclass 186 visa has three visa streams:

Additional criteria for the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186 visa)

When applying for this visa, you will be assessed on a number of different factors, including age, English language ability, training, health, character and what the market salary rates are.

We have dealt with a wide variety of employee nominated visas and can assess your eligibility to determine if you qualify for the Employer Nominated Scheme. If you do not qualify we can advise you on what you need to do in order to qualify.

Is an employer-sponsored visa not the right fit for you? Read on to learn more about other visa routes such as Skilled Migration visas, Australian Partner visas and Australian Parent visas.

Live and work in Australia on a skilled visa

There are a variety of visas for skilled migrants available for those wanting to make a permanent move to Australia. These visas are points-based and depend a range of factors that vary depending on what kind of job you apply for, where in Australia you intend to move to and your own personal skills and circumstances.

How the points-based system works

The Australian government operates a general skilled migration programme. It is essentially a points-based system where points are awarded to applicants based on age, qualification, experience and English language skills.

Your occupation is the basis for your eligibility, so those holding occupations in demand will have the greatest visa options. Australian immigration officials frequently update both the national and regional skills list which determine which occupations are most needed.

Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189 visa)

The Skilled Independent visa is a permanent resident visa. It is the most desirable visa as it gives the holder the freedom and flexibility to live and work anywhere in Australia.

Successful applicants must be under 45 years of age, score at least 65 points on the immigration points test and have an occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).

Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190 visa)

The Skilled Nominated visa is a permanent resident visa, only granted to applicants who are nominated by a state or territory government.

The state governments have assessed their own labour market needs and formed lists of occupations in demand. In addition to receiving state nomination, the successful applicant must be under 45 years of age, score at least 65 points and have an occupation on the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL). State nomination adds an additional five points to an applicant’s score, which could make the difference in meeting the 65-point threshold.

Skilled Recognised Graduate visa (subclass 476 visa)

This visa is specifically aimed at engineering graduates, under the age of 31, who wish to gain up to 18 months of skilled work experience in Australia.

You will need to have completed an engineering degree at a recognised institution within the last two years. This can be either a university or a technikon. You will also need to have had a major sequence of study, or a specialisation in:

Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491 visa)

The Skilled Work Regional visa will allow you to live and work in specified regional areas in Australia for up to five years. To qualify, you’ll need to either be sponsored by an eligible relative or be nominated to apply by a state or territory government agency.

You must score 65 points or more and be under the age of 45 when you apply, and your occupation must be on the list of eligible occupations. After three years of living in Australia on the Skilled Work Regional visa, you’ll be able to apply for a permanent residence visa.

Australian partner visa applications

If you are in a relationship with an Australian citizen, a permanent resident of Australia or an eligible New Zealand citizen, you might qualify for an Australian Partner visa. These are extremely popular visas.

Types of Australian Partner visas

The Australian Partner visa category is divided into various subclasses. Their classification is dependent on whether the visa is temporary or permanent as well as where the application is made.

The Department of Immigration and Border Protection assesses applications under a “combined application”. This means that your application will be assessed against the criteria for both temporary and permanent partner visas. You will be issued with the appropriate visa, depending on which criteria you meet.

Temporary Partner visa

The temporary Partner visa is valid for two years. During this period your relationship will be assessed to ensure that you intend to stay with your partner. If your relationship passes the test, you will be granted a permanent Australian Partner visa.

Permanent Partner visa

The Permanent Partner visa is valid for five years. Once you have held this visa for four years, you will be eligible to apply for citizenship.

Bringing your partner to Australia

There are four routes to bringing your partner to Australia:

Partner (Provisional) visa (subclass 309 visa) and Partner (Migrant) visa (subclass 100 visa)

Any person submitting an application for a visa falling under either subclass 309 visa or 100 visa must do so outside of Australia. Should you wish to travel to Australia while your partner visa is being processed, you are able to do so provided you secure an appropriate visa (i.e. a Visitor visa).

Partner visa (subclasses 820 visa and 801 visa)

As subclasses 820 visa and 801 visa cover permanent partner visas, you may apply from within Australia.

To apply, you must hold a valid Australian visa (excluding a Bridging, Criminal Justice or Enforcement visa) or be eligible for a waiver. In addition to this, these applicants must not hold a visa with condition 8503, which prevents you from making a further application in Australia.

Prospective Marriage visa (subclass 300 visa)

The purpose of this visa is to allow the unmarried partners of Australian citizens to travel to Australia to get married. It is granted for nine months. As this is a temporary visa, you must be outside of Australia when you apply for the visa as well as when it is granted.

The Prospective Marriage visa has unrestricted work rights. The holder is required to marry their partner and apply for the Australian Partner visa before the visa expires.

This visa is often referred to as the fiancé visa and is used by unmarried individuals who cannot show that they have cohabited for 12 months.

New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship (Temporary) visa (subclass 461 visa)

This visa allows a non-New Zealand family member of a New Zealand citizen, who is living in Australia, to live and work in Australia for up to five years.

This is a five-year provisional visa that will not lead to permanent residency in Australia but can be renewed onshore as required.

This visa allows the holder to:

• Work and study in Australia
• Live in and travel to and from Australia for five years from the date the visa is granted

Reunite your family with an Australian Parent visa

Parents of Australian citizens or permanent residents can apply to migrate to Australia. You must have lived in Australia for at least two years prior to your parents’ immigration to be an eligible sponsor.

Contributory Parent visa (subclass 143 visa)

Assuror of support

The applicant will need an assuror of support. This person, usually their child, must be prepared to provide financial assistance to the visa applicant, spouse and dependent family members. This ensures that they do not need to rely on government support for 10 years.

In addition to this, the assuror must reimburse any recoverable social security payments made to the applicant or their accompanying spouse and dependant family members in the first 10 years of residency in Australia.

Finally, the assuror needs to lodge a bond of AU $10,000 for one applicant, and AU $4,000 for each additional adult family member. This amount may be returned after the 10-year period.

The Contributory Parent Migrant visa is similar to the Non-Contributory Parent visa. The main difference is the reduced waiting period due to the larger contributory grant fee. With this payment, the visa is processed within 15-18 months from application, rather than 12-18 years for the Non-Contributory Parent visa.

Contributory Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 173 visa)

This visa is temporary and cannot be extended. After arriving in Australia, holders of this visa have two years in which to apply for a Contributory Parent visa (subclass 143 visa). This will give the applicant permanent resident status in Australia. Applicants must apply for their permanent visa before their temporary visa expire

The applicant will need a sponsor to give written confirmation that they will provide support, accommodation and financial assistance to the applicant and any accompanying spouse and dependant family members during their first two years in Australia.

Parent visa (subclass 103 visa)

Applicants for this visa currently have to wait over 20 years before it is granted, as the government limits the number of places available each year of the programme. To manage demand fairly, applicants who meet the core criteria for this visa are placed in a global queue.

Due to the long waiting period, applicants may choose to apply for a Contributory Parent visa instead (see above). This visa requires that applicants, or their sponsor, pay a much higher visa application fee and Assurance of Support bond. This contributes to government revenue and helps to offset some costs placed on the community by parent migration.

How to get an Australian student visa (Subclass 500)

The Australian student visa is a temporary visa that lasts up to five years depending on the type of course you study and its length.

Before applying for a student visa, you must be enrolled in an approved course of study in Australia. If you need help with choosing and applying to a university in Australia, you can contact our Study Abroad advisors.

Requirements for the Australian student visa:

You will need the to meet the following:

1. Financial requirements

   At the time of your student visa application, you must be able to show you have enough money to cover your tuition fees, travel expenses and living costs for the duration of your stay. These requirements depend on various factors like your country, course taken, provider chosen, lifestyle, etc.

2. English language proficiency

   If you are not from an English-speaking country or one that is exempt (or you haven't completed five years of study in an English speaking country), you will need to take an English language test from an accredited provider to prove your proficiency.

3. Health requirement

   All Australian student visa applicants must undergo a medical health examination. The specifics depend on the following factors

   • The length of your stay in Australia
   • Your country’s level of tuberculosis risk
   • Any special circumstances that may be applicable
   • The presence of any significant medical condition

   You will have to attend an appointment with a doctor who is approved by the Australian immigration department.

4. Character requirements

   You might be asked to provide a police clearance certificate when applying. The requirements may be different if you’ve lived in multiple countries in the past.

5. Have adequate health insurance

   You must be covered by Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). As an applicant, you must have OSHC for the entirety of your stay in Australia. You cannot get a visa without adequate health cover.

Study and work in Australia

International students are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week while studying in Australia. This is a great opportunity if you want to earn money to offset living expenses during your stay, and if you want to gain work experience in your field of study. Most student visas allow for full-time work when the semester is on break. 

Apply for an Australian working holiday visa

An Australian working holiday visa allows you to come to the country to live and work for 12 months. The visa is a popular choice for younger travellers keen to explore Australia for an extended period.

Apply for an Australian Work and Holiday (Temporary) visa

If you have a partner, they cannot be included on the visa. They will have to meet the same criteria in order to obtain their own visa.

During your stay in Australia, you cannot do either of the following:

• Have a dependant accompanying you at any time
• Work for longer than six months for any one employer

The visa can be extended for a further 12 months should the applicant work in a regional area of Australia for three months.

Countries eligible for the Australian working holiday visa

Visit Australia on a Visitor visa (subclass 600 visa)

The Australian tourist visa or Visitor visa (subclass 600 visa) is for individuals who wish to visit Australia for holiday, to see family and friends or to conduct a short business trip. This visa is valid for up to three, six or 12 months.

There are three types of Australian visitor visas.

The subclass 600 visa is for individuals who want to visit Australia as a tourist or for business.

As a subclass 601 visa holder, you can visit Australia on multiple occasions for tourist or business purposes. It allows you to visit Australia as often as you wish and stay up to three months at a time within a period of one year. Only individuals from certain countries may apply.

The subclass 651 visa allows you to visit Australia for three months at a time within a 12-month period for tourist or business purposes only. This visa is only eligible for individual from certain countries.

Get to know Australia better on a Visitor Visa

A Visitor visa provides more than just an opportunity to head Down Under as a tourist. Visiting and holidaying in the country before you make the big move will give you a taste of the land Down Under and the region you’d like to stay in.

Australia is a vast country with a culture that is as broad and diverse as its landscape. Famed for its sunny and temperate climate, natural wonders, wide open spaces, exceptional beaches and friendly locals - it’s easy to see why so many people who visit Australia end up staying for good.

Apply for an Australian Visitor visa

Move your business and family to Australia: The Business Innovation visa

Do you own and run a successful business and wish to relocate to Australia? Then the Business Innovation visa (subclass 188a visa) might just be the solution you’ve been waiting for. This visa is available to anyone under the age of 55 looking to start or buy into a business in Australia. It’s valid for five years and allows you and your family members to live, study and work in Australia, and eventually be eligible for permanent residence.

The perfect Australian visa for those over 45

The cut-off age for most Australian visas is 45, making it difficult to move there if you’re in your early forties. The Business Innovation visa gives those over the age of 45 a route to Australia if they have experience in owning and running a successful business. The good news is that many business owners have the abilities and experience needed to qualify for this visa, but very few are aware of its existence.

Do you qualify? The minimum requirements for the Business Innovation visa are easy to understand.

*A state or territory can choose to waive this requirement if your proposed business will be of exceptional economic benefit to the nominating state or territory

The Australian immigration points test

You must score at least 65 points to be eligible for the Business Innovation visa. The table below sets out the categories and points available in each category. Please note: You should always consult with a MARA-registered Australian immigration advisor before you apply for this visa. Do not assume that because you have the right amount of points that you will qualify. The visa application process is complex and without professional representation, it is difficult to successfully navigate the regulations.

Estimate your point score

A route to permanent residency in Australia

Your Business Innovation visa, subclass 188 visa, will be valid for five years from the date it is granted. However, your aim should be to qualify for the Business Innovation visa, subclass 888 visa, which is a permanent residence visa. The transition between the 188 visa to the 888 visa can be made after living in Australia for three years and requires you and your business in Australia to meet certain benchmarks, set out in the table below.

Check that you satisfy the requirements

Obtain permanent residency in Australia

Australian permanent residents are residents of Australia who hold a permanent residency visa but are not citizens of Australia. A holder of a permanent residency visa may remain in Australia indefinitely.

How to stay indefinitely in Australia

A five-year initial visa, which corresponds to the underlying migration programme, is granted alongside the permanent residency. Until the initial visa expires, the visa holder may leave and re-enter Australia freely. A notable feature of the permanent residency visa is that, even after the initial visa expires, the holder is entitled to stay in Australia indefinitely without breaching immigration regulations.

Permanent residency may be revoked at the discretion of the responsible Minister, for example in cases of criminal misconduct.

The benefits of permanent residency

Permanent residents enjoy many of the rights and privileges of citizens, including access to free or subsidised legal and health services.

They do not have the right to vote in federal or state/territory elections, unless they were registered to vote prior to 1984, but may vote in some local government elections.

Permanent residents are not entitled to an Australian passport.

Most permanent residents are eligible to become citizens after a waiting period. When the waiting period is complete, the process of taking the citizenship test and attending the ceremony will add an additional three to twelve months.

Work in Australia as a New Zealand citizen

Citizens of New Zealand are allowed to enter and work in Australia under the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement, being granted a Special Category visa on arrival.

If a New Zealand citizen decides to become an Australian citizen, then they need to apply for a permanent residency visa first.